ISHS Acta Horticulturae 511: XXV International Horticultural Congress, Part 1: Culture Techniques with Special Emphasis on Environmental Implications - Nutrient Management
FERTILIZATION OF 'SOLO' PAPAYAS WITH NITROGEN, PHOSPHORUS AND POTASSIUM |
| Authors: | P. Allan, N.J. Taylor, H.M. Dicks |
| Keywords: | Carica papaya, fertilization, nitrogen, papaw, potassium, phosphorus |
| Abstract:
Four levels of each of N, P and K were combined in an incomplete factorial (San Cristobal Design) to study various clonal 'Solo' hermaphrodite papaya (Carica papaya) plant parameters over 12 months. Petiole samples were taken at five phenological stages for analysis of N, P and K contents. There was a significantly linear response to applied N for all five stages, with the concentrations increasing up to the last two stages when there was luxury consumption. Applied P showed a linear response for the first two stages and then quadratic responses. Applied K gave significant quadratic responses for the first three stages and then linear responses, with concentrations rising excessively for the fourth stage but decreasing again as the second crop set. There were significant NK, NP, PK interactions. P concentrations in mature seeds showed a distinct quadratic response. For the first crop, total fruit mass was significantly quadratic for N and P and there was a significant negative NK interaction. There was no difference in fruit quality for the different treatments. Fruit set was adversely affected by the limited root volume in the 85 L bins. Petiole analysis results support Australian rather than Hawaiian norms. | |
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