S01 - Session P10 - Evaluation of F1 papaya varieties in Thailand and their marketing potential

Authors: Jhan Hong Guo *, Wen-Li Lee, Shing-Liang Chen, Kuo-Dong Chiou, Zhi-Zheng Xu, Sutasinee Nontajak

Taiwan currently has more than 20 excellent F 1 papaya varieties, which have the opportunity to be produced in different places. Papaya is also an important fruit in Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines. However, the climate, water, soil, people and market conditions are different. Understanding the trends of the target markets is required to support the papaya industry. Five Taiwan F 1 papaya test cultivars were evaluated in Thailand with local somapartor papaya varieties. The average germination rate of Taiwan papaya F 1 seeds was 65.4%, which was higher than the average of 47.4% of the Thailand papaya seeds, hence can reduce the amount of seeds required through a reduction in labor and land costs for maintaining male and female plants. The growth potential of Taiwan F 1 papaya varieties was better than that of local varieties, too. Papaya is a perennial fruit tree that grows from seed to first fruit in 9-10 months, with the fruit harvested slowly for 10-18 months. The quality of the fruit and its stable performance require 2-3 years of observations before opening of the export market for papaya F 1 seeds can be considered.