African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12486

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of the morphological and quality characteristics of new papaya hybrid lines in Kenya

Gaudence Nishimwe
  • Gaudence Nishimwe
  • Horticulture and Food Security Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P. O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
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Janet Chepng’etich Kosgei
  • Janet Chepng’etich Kosgei
  • Horticulture and Food Security Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P. O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
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Everlyn Musenya Okoth
  • Everlyn Musenya Okoth
  • Food Science and Technology Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P. O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
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George Ochieng’ Asudi
  • George Ochieng’ Asudi
  • Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, P. O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
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Fredah Karambu Rimberia
  • Fredah Karambu Rimberia
  • Horticulture and Food Security Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P. O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
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  •  Received: 06 November 2018
  •  Accepted: 26 December 2018
  •  Published: 09 January 2019

Abstract

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is among the most grown fruit crops worldwide with high economic and nutritional value. In Kenya, the papaya industry relies heavily on imported varieties and farmers’ selected seed whose quality is not known. Therefore, the morphological and quality characteristics of mature fruits of eight newly developed papaya hybrids and their control, Sunrise solo were assessed using papaya descriptors (International Board for Plant Genetic Resources). The results showed significant differences in fruit sizes among the newly developed papaya hybrid lines and the control, Sunrise solo with Line 4 having the longest and heaviest fruits. Fruits from Sunrise solo, lines 2, 3, 7 and 8 ranged from small to medium in size, while those of lines 4 and 6 were large. Line 1 had the shortest shelf life of 4 days while Line 7 had the longest shelf life of 11 days. The total soluble solids (TSS) varied from 7.4 in Line 8 to 12.3% in Lines 5 and 7. Hence, most newly developed papaya hybrids Lines showed traits that were comparable to or exceeded those of Sunrise and could be suitable for both local and export markets. However, there is a need to evaluate and characterize the newly developed papaya hybrid lines in different agro-ecological zones in order to monitor the influences of the environment, pests and diseases.

 

Key words: Carica papaya L., new papaya hybrid lines, morphological characteristics, shelf life, fruit quality.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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