GENETIC VARIABILITY OF SINGLE, DOUBLE AND THREE-WAY CROSS HYBRIDS IN PAPAYA (Carica papaya)

The production of high-yielding varieties of papaya is intended to improve both fruit quality and productivity. However, high genetic variability has a significant role in characters selection. In papaya (Carica papaya), genetic variability can be expanded through the hybridization of selected parents. This research aims to determine the genetic variability of 70 papaya hybrids of the Indonesian Tropical Fruit Research Institute's (ITFRI) collection. The research was carried out at the Sumani Experimental Field of ITFRI in Solok (360 m asl), West Sumatera. The study was arranged using randomize block design with 70 papaya hybrids as treatments factors, each with three replications. Hybridization was performed by the back cross, single-cross, double-cross, three-way cross, and selfing. The results show a wide genetic diversity of 70 papaya hybrids, which can be inferred from fruit weight (5002000g), flesh thickness (1.5-3.5cm), peel hardness (0.70-0.90 kg/cm2), flesh hardness (0.150.4kg/cm2), and total soluble solids (TSS) (9 -12.50brix). The wide genetic diversity can be applied in the selection stage to obtain a superior hybrid with fruits characteristics that include small-medium size, thick flesh, crispy flesh texture, and sweet taste as preferred by the consumer.