Performance of hermaphrodite Carica papaya in-vitro plants grown under greenhouse conditions in the tropics

Three different genotypes of hermaphrodite papaya (Carica papaya L.) derived from in-vitro micropropagation were grown under semi-commercial conditions in a greenhouse located in Yucatan, Mexico. The greenhouse was ventilated, covered with a transparent plastic roof, and fitted with a fertirrigation system. The temperature inside the greenhouse was nearly 40 degrees C over the summer months. Plants were grown under these conditions for 1 year. Plants from all genotypes grew vigorously, and no symptoms of plant pathogens were found. Certainly, there were no incidences of viral or fungal diseases. Under these protected conditions, no sex reversal, flower abortion, nor fruit carpeloidy, or fruit abortion was observed in any of the three genotypes studied. Plants from all three genotypes had high fruit yields and excellent fruit quality.