Response of papaya( Caricap apala L.) to limited soil moisture at reproductive stage

M. Masri, A. S. Razak, and M. Z. Ghazalli

Abstract

The effects of depleting soil moisture at the reproductive stage on papaya (Carica papaya L .), Eksotika variety, were studied under field conditions. Treatments consisted of stress (not irrigated and sheltered), rainfed (not irrigated but exposed to rainfall) and Irrigated. In the stress treatment height and trunk diameter increments were 52% and36% respectively less than those of irrigated plants. Consequently, plant under stress treatment had 50% fewer attached leaves per tree. Water deficit significantly reduced number of flowers and fruit by 86% and5 8% respectively. Water stress also retarded growth and development of papaya fruit.

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