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CULTURAL PRACTICE FOR PAPAYA (Carica papaya L.)

A. Area to be Planted

1. The soil must be loose, well-drained and preferably of sandy-loam type and a pH
of 6 to 6.5.

2. It must be free of nematodes, if any, apply Furadan or similar insecticide

following the manufacturer’s instructions.

3. It must be rich in organic matter (about 5% of the soil up to a depth of about 30-
40 cm).

B. Land Preparation and Planting

1. Initially, the land must be plowed and harrowed to a fine tilth so as to eliminate
weeds and other unwanted vegetation.

2. Holes 30 cm in diameter and 30 cm deep are then made at an average planting

distance of 2m x 3m.

3. Drainage canals are constructed every 10 rows and sloping towards the lowest
section of the land to prevent water logging especially during the monsoon
months.

4. Replace holes with organic fertilizer at the rate of 1.5 to 2.0 kg per hole before
planting.

5. Plant the seedlings into the hole individually. Fill the holes with the soil
stamping it lightly to establish the new plants. Seedlings with profuse branched
roots and numerous root hairs are usually female plants whereas seedlings with
one elongated tap root with sparse root hairs are usually male plants.
 AGRICULTURAL INOCULANTS CORPORATION
“MICROBES AT WORK”

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C. Care and Maintenance of the Plants

1. Thirty (30) days after transplanting (DAT) side dress each plant with 100 to 125
grams of complete fertilizer (14-14-14) at a distance of 15 cm from the base of
the plant.

2. Spray the leaves with foliar fertilizer using 0.67% solution (1 liter of the foliar
fertilizer mixed with 160 liters of water) at 45 DAT and at intervals of 25 to 30
days thereafter up to when the plants are 5 months old.

3. Side dress the plants with a mixture of 1 bag of complete fertilizer (14-4-14) and
1 bag of muriate of potash (0-0-60) at the rate of 100 to 125 grams of the mixture
per plant at the start of the 5th month. Continue this fertilization every 4 months
throughout the duration of the plants.

Important: Irrigate the plantation as necessary.

D. Harvesting of the Fruits

1. Harvest the fruits when they turn partially yellow but still firm.. They are better
transported this way and will exhibit their full sweetness when fully ripe.

2. Papayas are normally sold in the local market, however if they are intended for
export they must be treated with crop protection chemicals e.g. fungicides
which are biodegradable.