ISHS Acta Horticulturae 269: Symposium on Tropical Fruit in International Trade
VARIATION IN THE RIPENING CHARACTERISTICS OF PAPAYA |
| Authors: | L. Zhang, Robert E. Paull |
| Abstract:
Papaya (Carica papaya L.) lines with reported variability in ripening characteristic were grown in one field in central Oahu. Four commercial lines and five other selections were compared. Skin yellowing, fruit softening, respiratory rate, and ethylene production were monitored after the fruit was harvested at the color break stage. Little variation was found between the commercial lines with respect to days from color break to 100% full yellow, that varied from 6 to 10 days. All genotypes showed typical climacteric respiration and ethylene patterns. Fruit from two of seventeen trees in one line showed very slow ripening in comparison to the commercial and other lines tested. Fruit from these two trees took 15 and 16 days to reach full yellow color. Softening was delayed and did not start until these fruit were ca. 80% yellow. The softening rate for these slower ripening fruit was then similar to the other lines tested. These slow ripening genotypes could be useful in papaya breeding and for studying the genetic control of fruit softening. | |
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