Major Species of Papaya

Papaya is used both in raw and ripe form. Ripe papaya is included in the fruit while raw papaya vegetable is made. There are many species of papaya rich in vitamin A and vitamin C. These include local (indigenous) varieties as well as foreign varieties. Before cultivating papaya, it is necessary to know about some major varieties.

native varieties

• Pusa Nanha: This variety was developed in the year 1983. One plant gives 25 to 30 kg of papaya fruit. Its fruits are small and medium in size. The height of the plants is close to 120 cm. When the height of the plants is 30 cm above the surface of the ground, fruit starts to set in them.

• Pusa Giant: Developed in the year 1981. Its fruits are of large size. It is a suitable variety for making vegetable and petha. One plant produces 30 - 35 kg of fruit. When the plants of this species reach 92 cms, then they start bearing fruit.

• Surya: This is one of the major hybrid varieties. The weight of one fruit is from 500 to 700 grams. The storage capacity of fruits is good. Yields 55 - 56 kg of fruit per plant.

• Pusa Delicious: It was developed in the year 1986. One plant produces 40 to 45 kg of papaya. The height of this variety of plants with delicious fruits is 216 cm. When the height of the plants is 80 cm, the plants start producing fruits.

• Red Lady 786: It is one of the hybrid varieties. The biggest feature of this variety is that male and female flowers are produced in the same plant. Because of this, fruits are obtained from every plant. Plants start bearing fruit only 9 months after planting. The storage capacity of fruits of this variety is high as compared to other varieties.

exotic varieties

• Co 2: This is one of the exotic varieties. This variety can be successfully cultivated in India also. The weight of one fruit is about 1.25 to 1.5 kg. One plant gives 80 to 90 fruits per year. The amount of papain is high in fruits.

• Ko 7: It was developed in the year 1997. The fruits are long and oval in shape with red flesh. About 100 to 110 fruits are produced per plant.

Apart from these varieties there are many other indigenous and foreign improved varieties cultivated in India. Including Washington , Pink Flesh Sweet, Sunrise Solo, Pusa Dwarf, Pusa Majesty, Co 1, Co 3, Co 4, Ko 5, Co 6, Ceylon, Honeydew, Coorghanidew etc.