Organic Management of ‘Maradol’ Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Crops: Effects on the Sensorial and Physicochemical Characteristics of Fruits

Abstract

The Maradol Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a fleshy berry produced in the tropics; it is highly appreciated around the world for its high nutritional and medicinal value, as well as its attractive sensory properties. Evaluating the physiological, chemical, and sensory characteristics of ‘Maradol’ papaya fruits from organically managed crops was the primary objective of this study. Four treatments (T1–T4) were evaluated, all of which were fertilized using the same organic management practices. In addition, plant extracts were applied regularly to T1–T3 as pest control, and single (T2) and double (T1) rows of trap plants (roselle) were used. T4 did not receive additional treatment. Fruits under conventional agriculture outside the experimental site were included for comparative purposes (controls). The organic management of the plants did not negatively influence the physiological traits of postharvest ripening. Among the organic treatments, T1 fruits had the highest total soluble solids, vitamin C, and reducing sugars, as well as the lowest weight loss, which significantly improved the quality of the fruit, compared to conventionally produced fruits. In addition, sensory evaluation performed by trained judges, revealed that fruits from the organically managed plots (T1–T4) were the softest and juiciest, and had a higher score in fruit and papaya aroma, in contrast to the conventionally produced fruits, which turned out to be sour, more astringent, and less soft and juicy. The results show that the exclusively organic management of ‘Maradol’ papaya crops improves several post-harvest traits of the fruits, compared to those that can be purchased commercially and are conventionally grown.

Plant extracts in agriculture and their applications in the treatment of seeds

“…The use of plant extracts in agriculture has a potential, demonstrated by the high number of publications, especially in the years 2018, 2019 and 2020, with Brazil being the country with the highest production of research directed to this field of study. Control of phytopathogenic organisms, effect in insects, biostimulant effect, induction of CARDoSo, 2018;FLAVIo et al, 2014;RUIZ-CoUTIÑo et al, 2019.…”

“…BoULoGNE et al, 2012;KARABUYUK;AYSAN, 2019;CHAND et al, 2016;KARABUYUK;AYSAN, 2018;SALJoQI et al, 2012;MAHMUD;HoSSAIN, 2017;MANGWENDE; AVELING, 2019;MUTHUKUMAR et al, 2010;UMARUSMAN; oZGUVEN, 2019;SHIFA;GoPALAKRISHNAN;VELAZHAHAN, 2018;RUIZ-CoUTIÑo et al, 2019;LIMA et al, 2016;VIoLETH;HERRERA; Garcia, 2018;GoYAL;SHARMA, 2012;SAS-PIoTRoWSKA; PIoTRoWSKI, 2011. …”

“…Species/genera used in studies on the potential of application of plant extracts in agriculture and in the treatment of seeds, in the articles published between January 4th 2010 and August 2020 at the Web of Science BoULoGNE et al, 2012;PHAMBALA et al, 2020;RUIZ-CoUTIÑo et al, 2019;…”

La nutrición de la papaya (Carica papaya L.) con abonos foliares en la etapa de crecimiento y desarrollo

“…En Veracruz, el agroecosistema con papaya en la zona centro se encuentra asociado a otros cultivos como el maíz (Zea mays), limón persa (Citrus latifolia Tan), y principalmente la sandía (Citrullus lanatus), en rotación o relevo dependiendo las fechas de siembra, el manejo del cultivo de la papaya se fundamenta con el uso de insumos de síntesis química, como son los fertilizantes sintéticos de aplicación al suelo y foliar (Megchun et al, 2019). La problemática de la nutrición en la papaya obedece a los suelos infértiles, el abastecimiento de los nutrimentos por factores como el origen del suelo, las características físicas, químicas y biológicas, la humedad, la falta de materia orgánica (Trinidad y Aguilar, 1999 y Escamilla et al, 2001, Ruiz et al, 2019. La temperatura juega un papel muy importante en la producción de fruta de papaya, ya que a temperaturas menores de 17°C y mayores de 35°C se producen frutos carpeloides y caídas de fruto (Santamaría et al, 2021).…”