Papayas are known for their bright colours, soft textures, and sweet flavours. Papayas are used in salads, smoothies, and shakes, among other things.The fact that papayas are good for you makes them even more popular. This brightly coloured, pulpy tropical fruit is rich in antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E, as well as fibre and healthy plant compounds.

When unripe, a papaya's skin is green, but after it's ripe, it turns orange. Depending on the variety, papaya might have a yellow, orange, or red tinge. There are many bitter, black seeds inside this pear-shaped fruit. Raw papaya has a lot of latex, which causes your uterus to contract, so it's best avoided if you're expecting.Papain is an enzyme found in papaya that is used to tenderise meat, as well as in other products such as chewing gum, toothpaste, shampoo, face creams, and even breweries.

Diuretics, nerve discomfort, and parasitic intestinal infections are just some of the many gastrointestinal issues that papaya can help alleviate or prevent.

It is a tropical fruit which is native to Mexico. It belongs to “Caricaceae” family and “Carica” genus. It is a fast growth plant which has long fruiting period and contains high nutritional value. India is known as the largest producer of papaya. It can be grown in pots, greenhouse, polyhouse and containers. It also has health benefits such as it helps to relieve constipation, cancer, helps in lowering cholesterol, and helps in fighting with cancer cells. It is a rich source of Vitamin A and C. In India, Maharashtra, Karnataka, west Bengal, Orissa, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, U.K, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are major states doing papaya farming.

POPULAR VARIETIES WITH THEIR YIELD :-
Papaya

Papaya - 08072000

Red Lady : Released in 2013. Plants show vigorous growth and are self-fruitful. It attains the height of 238cm and the plants start bearing fruit when it attains the height of 86cm. Fruits are medium in size, oblong to oval in shape and has reddish orange color flesh having excellent flavor and taste. The plant matures after 10 months and gives an average yield of 50kg. The variety is resistant to pests and diseases.

Punjab Sweet : Released in 1993. Dioecious variety which attains the height of 190cm and the plants start bearing fruit when it attains the height of 100cm. Fruits are large in size, oblong in shape and has deep yellowish color flesh. It contains 9.0-10.5% T.S.S. content and gives an average yield of 50kg/plant. The plant is less susceptible to citrus mites.

Pusa Delicious : Released in 1992. Hermaphrodite variety which attains the height of 210cm and the plants start bearing fruit when it attains the height of 110cm. Fruits are medium to large in size, oblong to oval in shape and has deep orange color flesh having excellent flavor and taste. It contains 8-10% T.S.S. content and gives an average yield of 46kg/plant.

Pusa Dwarf : Released in 1992. Dioecious and dwarf variety which attains the height of 165cm and the plants start bearing fruit when it attains the height of 100cm. Fruits are medium in size, oval in shape and has orange color flesh. It contains 8-10% T.S.S. content and gives an average yield of 35kg/plant.

Honey Dew : Released in 1975. It is also known as Madhu Bindu. The plant is of medium height. Fruits are large in size, elongated in shape and contain few seeds. Fruits have extra fine flesh which is sweet and contains pleasant flavor.

Other state varieties :

Washington : less seeds, big size fruits, yellow color flesh, sweet in taste, male plants are smaller than female plants, plant is comparatively smaller in size.

Coorg Honey : Very less seeds, big size fruit, less sweet than honey dew variety and plants are having high height, male and female flowers bear on same tree.

CO.2 : Large size fruits and plant has medium height.

CO.1, CO.3, Solo, Pusa Nanha, Ranchi Selection, Coorg Green Sunrise Solo, Taiwan and Coorg Green are suitable varieties grown in different states.

LAND PREPARATION

For papaya farming, well prepared land is required. To bring the soil to fine tilth leveling is required. At the time of last ploughing, apply FYM (Farm Yard Manure).

SEED

Seed rate : Use 150-200gm seeds for per acre land.

Seed treatment : Before seed sowing, treat the seeds with Captan@3gm to protect the plant from soil borne diseases.

SOWING

Time of sowings : Seeds are sown in second week of July to third week of September and transplanting is done from first week of September to mid-October.

Spacing : Use plant to plant spacing of 1.5 X 1.5m.

Sowing depth : 1cm deep seeds are sown.

Method of sowing : Propagation method is used.

NURSERY MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPLANTING

The seedlings are prepared in the polythene bags having dimensions of 25 X 10cm. In these polythene’s, 8-10 holes are done having 1mm diameter on lower part for proper drainage of water. Polythene bags are filled with equal proportions of FYM, soil and sand. Mainly seeds are sown in polythene bags in 2nd week of July to 3rd week for September. Before sowing treat the seeds with Captan@3gm per kg seeds. Drenching is done with Captan@0.2% when seedlings emerge out to protect them from damping off disease. Transplanting of seedlings is done in September-October month.

Health benefits of papaya fruit :

1. Lowers cholesterol : Papayas have a lot of fibre, antioxidants, and Vitamin C, all of which help keep your arteries from getting too clogged up with cholesterol. Too much cholesterol can cause heart disease like heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure.

This fruit is high in fibre, which helps lower blood pressure and control the amount of "bad" (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) says that one large fruit (about 780 grams) has 13 to 14 grams of fibre, which is a good amount. Fibres also make digestion easier, give stools more bulk, and make it easier to go to the bathroom.

2. Boosts Immunity : Papayas have more than 200 times the amount of Vitamin C you need every day. It can help keep diseases like scurvy away. Collagen can't be made without vitamin C, and collagen helps connect body tissues.

A lack of vitamin C can cause anaemia, weakness, skin problems, and gum disease, among other things. So, a bowl of papaya every day is a good way to avoid health problems like these.

3. Papaya helps you lose weight : Papaya helps you lose weight because it is low in calories, high in fibre, and has a low GI. Papayas have a lot of fibre, which makes you feel full for a long time and cuts down on cravings.

A study found that papaya juice helps fight obesity, dyslipidemia, and inflammation in addition to lowering the absorption of lipids.

4. Papaya Helps in Diabetes : One of the most noticeable signs of diabetes is a strong desire for sweet foods. Papaya is very good for people with diabetes because it has a low glycemic index (GI) and a high fibre content, which keeps their blood sugar from going up.

A study found that papaya lowers the amount of sugar in the blood. Flavonoids are natural antioxidants that are found in fruit and may help regulate blood sugar.

5. Prevent arthritis : Papain, a chemical that helps reduce inflammation, is naturally found in papaya. Papain has been shown to reduce joint pain and stiffness, which makes it a great supplement for people with arthritis.

6. Papaya makes digestion easier : Because papaya has an enzyme called papain, which is strong enough to soften meat and stop stomach problems, eating it can help with digestive problems. The high fibre and water content helps with digestion, speeds up the movement of food through the intestines, and softens and regulates bowel movements.

7. Papaya is good for your eyesight : Your eyesight is another health benefit of papaya. The fruit has a lot of vitamin A, which is great for your eyes. Macular degeneration is a big reason why our eyesight gets worse as we age.

Zeaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant that helps people see, is also found in papaya flesh. By blocking UV light, it keeps retinal cells from getting hurt, especially from age-related macular degeneration, and also keeps people from going blind.

8. Papaya keeps wrinkles and other signs of ageing at bay : Papaya benefits you by making you look younger. The fruit is a great source of vitamin C, which helps your body make collagen. This makes your tissues stick together. Overall, if you eat a bowl of papaya every day, you'll look at least five years younger than you are.

9. Papaya reduces stress : There are also benefits for your mind when you eat papaya. People with stressful jobs are especially encouraged to eat a bowl of papaya every day. Vitamin C in papayas helps keep the flow of stress hormones in check.

10. Prevents cancer : Studies have shown that a daily dose of antioxidants, flavonoids, and phytonutrients can stop cancer cells from building up. People with colon and prostate cancer are less likely to get sick if they eat papaya every day.

But these studies are still in the beginning stages. You shouldn't start doing them without doing research and talking to your oncologist first.

11. Eases Menstrual Pain : Every woman will tell you that the worst part of her period is the cramps. Women who get really painful cramps should eat papaya often. One of the main benefits of papaya, especially for women, is that it helps the flow of menstrual blood.

Papayas have an enzyme called papain in them that makes it easier for blood to flow out of your uterus.