Evaluation of Growth and Yield of New Papaya (Carica Papaya L.) Hybrid Lines and Their Performance Against Moroccan Watermelon Mosaic Virus‐Causing Disease
Loading...
Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons
Abstract
The production of Carica papaya L. in Kenya is seriously affected by the Moroccan
watermelon mosaic virus and lack of improved varieties leading to the importation of
expensive seeds for the resource‐scarce farmers. To curb these challenges, new papaya
hybrid lines were recently selected and bred, but their growth traits and performance
against papaya diseases were not evaluated. Therefore, we assessed the growth,
development, and production characteristics of these new hybrid lines 1–8, with Sun rise Solo as control using the International Board of Plant Genetic Resources papaya
descriptor in the field at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology,
Juja. The hybrid trees matured 6–15 days before Sunrise Solo and fruited at heights of
23–37 cm lower than controls at the end of the harvesting stage, showing they could be
harvested longer than the controls. Hybrid line 4 had larger fruits preferred for local
markets and industrial use, while hybrid lines 1, 2, 5, 7, and 8 and Sunrise Solo had
smaller and medium‐sized fruits suitable for exports. However, only hybrid lines 6 and 7
showed more tolerance to MWMV disease and powdery mildew. Therefore, normal
agronomic practices are important for seed multiplication purposes to improve papaya
production in Kenya.
Description
Article
Keywords
Citation
Kosgei, Janet C., George O. Asudi, Francis K. Ombwara, Lilian W. Kariuki, and Fredah K. Rimberia. 2025. “Evaluation of growth and yield of new papaya (Carica papaya L.) hybrid lines and their performance against Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus–causing disease.” Biological Diversity: 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1002/ bod2.12028