Articles
PROPAGATION AND PRODUCTION OF SOLO PAPAYA IN ETHIOPIA
The early results with Solo cultivars introduced from Hawaii are described.
Local production of seed, to prevent out crossing and maintain the identity of cultivars, by selfing hermaphrodite flowers, is apparently successful, because the original ratio between male, female and hermaphrodites has been maintained.
A nursery technique to economise in seed use and improve establishment of the crop has been developed.
In a large scale nursery, 24 transplantable seedlings were produced from 1 g of seed.
Trials are in progress on the effects on yield, fruit quality, and economic life of the crop, when a lateral branching or multiple stem system of training the trees is adopted instead of the usual single stem.
The results with post harvest technology techniques for export fruit are described.
The problems encountered were much less than was expected.
Plant protection has not, so far, proved to be a major problem; the hazards which have been encountered are discussed.
These are principally damages to the crop caused by hail storms and loss of fruit through bird damage.
There has been no problem with insect pests or diseases.