Double-cross: a suitable method to improve Malaysian Eksotikas

A double-cross method was applied to improve yield and fruit qualities, as well as storage life of Malaysian ‘Eksotika’ papayas.
A non-indigenous papaya, ‘PR217’ was chosen as one of the parents to provide a wider genetic base.
It has very small fruits (about 200 g per fruit), is a dwarf (0.5 m plant height at the first flowering stage) and has longer storage life compared to ‘Eksotika’. Besides providing a wide genetic base, a double-cross method can enhance expression of heterosis.
Two double-cross hybrids, i.e., [Eksotika II × (Line 19 × PR217)] and [(Sekaki × Line 20) × (Line 19 × PR217)] were generated and evaluated together with ‘Eksotika’, ‘Eksotika II’ and ‘Line 19’. The double cross [Eksotika II × (Line 19 × PR217)] shows improved overall desirable traits compared to the other four genotypes.
It has higher yield (34 kg 
plant^-1 year^-1), T.S.S. (13.6%) and longer shelf-life (6.3 days from Index 2 to 5 NDASH eating stage) compared to ‘Eksotika’, 30 kg plant^-1 year^-1, TSS = 11.6% and 4.5 days, respectively.
It also has better fruit appearance with minimal freckles on the skin compared to ‘Eksotika’.

XXIX International Horticultural Congress on Horticulture: Sustaining Lives, Livelihoods and Landscapes (IHC2014): IV International Symposium on Papaya, VIII International Pineapple Symposium, and International Symposium on Mango

J. Sarip, P. Raveendranathan, M.R. Razean Haireen

Carica papaya, fruit quality, hybrid, papaya, shelf-life

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2016.1111.10