Papayas

Haimanote K. Bayabil, Jonathan H. Crane, Kati W. Migliaccio, Yuncong Li, andFredy H. Ballen

Papaya (Carica papaya) is an important fruit crop grown in south Florida with an estimated area of 356 acres (Crane 2018). Miami-Dade County accounts for almost 81% of papaya production in Florida. The estimated papaya production value is $1.9 million based on an average yield of 29,000 pounds per acre, 85% pack-out rate, and $0.40 per pound price value. Typical cultural practices and pest and disease management guidelines for papaya can be found in Crane and Mossler (2008). Three irrigation scheduling methods (set schedule, ET-based, and tensiometer-based) were tested for papaya production in south Florida. ET-based irrigation scheduling was found to conserve water effectively. This document primarily focuses on the ET-based irrigation scheduling techniques for papaya under Florida conditions.

Jonathan H. Crane

This document provides comprehensive information on growing papaya in Florida's home landscapes. It covers the scientific name, common names, origin, and distribution of papaya. Detailed descriptions of tree types, leaves, flowers, and fruit are included. The article also discusses climate requirements, propagation methods, crop yields, spacing, pruning, soil types, planting techniques, care practices, pest and disease management, and the nutritional value of papaya fruit. Practical advice on site selection, irrigation, mulching, and harvesting is provided to ensure successful papaya cultivation. Publication date: 1986.

Edward A. Evans, Fredy H. Ballen, and Jonathan H. Crane

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Commercial audience(s). Published by Farm Economics, entrepreneurship, and management

Edward A. Evans and Fredy H. Ballen

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Commercial audience(s). Published by Farm Economics, entrepreneurship, and management

Jugpreet Singh, Sumit Jangra, andJonathan H. Crane

Papaya is native to southern Mexico and Central America. It was likely introduced to Florida by Native Americans, from the Calusa tribe through their contact with indigenous Caribbean people no later than 300 A.D. Some of the evidence for this introduction comes from seeds found in the Native American mounds of the Pineland Site Complex in Pine Island, Florida. While papaya did not originate in Florida, it is considered naturalized. We have surveyed and sampled several feral papaya plants from different geographical areas of south Florida. Feral papayas may possess unique traits that are absent in commercial papaya cultivars and potentially useful for the genetic improvement of papaya germplasm.