Asexual reproduction: an alternative for the propagation and conservation of papaya (Carica papaya L.) natives from Guerrero, Mexico

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect on the rooting of Carica papaya L. cuttings using three different substrates and varying the length of the vegetative material

Design / methodology / approach: A completely randomized design with a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement was used. Herbaceous cuttings of 30 and 40 cm in length were collected in March 2018, from lateral branches from native papaya plants (Carica papaya L.) from various regions of the state of Guerrero. The stakes were placed in different substrates: 1) sand, 2) Peat Moss® and 3) a mixture of sand and Peat Moss® (70:30, v / v). Sixty days after sowing, the rooting percentage, root length, plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, crown diameter, weight of fresh biomass, weight of dry biomass, fresh weight of root and root dry weight. With the data obtained, an analysis of variances and a mean comparison test (Tukey, p?0.05) were performed.

Results: The 40 and 30 cm long cuttings showed 60 and 50% rooting, respectively, being those plants where 40 cm cuttings were used, consistently taller, with a greater number of leaves, crown diameter and greater length of root. Of the three substrates used, sand was the best for the rooting of papaya cuttings, since in it plants with significantly higher fresh biomass weight were developed (p?0.05).

Study limitations / implications: It is important to continue the study into the flowering and fruiting stages.

Findings / conclusions: The proposed protocol allows the rooting of papaya cuttings