Characteristics of the Carica papaya: Chapter I

Dear readers, in the tropical regions you can find a diversity of succulent tropical fruits that are very demanded by consumers as is the case of the carica papaya also known in Venezuela with the name of milky, it is a fruit that is consumed fresh or processed since, there are several byproducts that are obtained from this kind cultivation. This crop, like any other, has essential requirements that enhance its production to meet the demand generated in the agricultural market, therefore, in this manuscript some aspects about the carica papaya will be detailed.

Let's start by noting that according to some literature reviews there are 22 species of the genus carica that are of commercial and industrial importance due to the production of edible fruits. As for its botanical characteristics, it can be evidenced that it is an erect-growing plant that can reach various heights up to more than 2 meters depending on the species and the conditions presented by the agroecosystems, as for its leaves, they are wide with a long petiole that begins to fall as the plant grows leaving scars, its radical system is pivoting and its flowers can be unisexual or hermaphrodite. As for its fruits, it is technically known as a berry (fleshy fruit with several seeds) of an ovoid shape of green, yellow or orange color.

In this same order of ideas, so that the papaya can develop properly the ecosystem where it is sown to have the appropriate climatic characteristics according to its demands, as was said above the milky in a plant that adapts to tropical climates, therefore, the appropriate temperatures for its development oscillate between 21 °C and 33 °C, some researchers have reported that at low temperatures the plant decreases its development affecting flowering and the delay in the ripening of the fruits. Another fundamental climatic element is humidity, the cultivation of papaya is demanding with this variable cutos suitable values should range between 60% and 85%. Therefore, the southern area of Lake Maracaibo Venezuela is shown as a suitable ecosystem for the planting of this crop.

Dear readers, we will continue developing this technical description on the cultivation of the Carica papaya in other installments where we will address aspects related to the ideal soil conditions for cultivation, propagation, establishment and harvest. With regard to the content addressed in this article, it can be seen that the cultivation of milkweed has specific needs regarding the climatic conditions typical of tropical areas, they also have peculiar botanical characteristics that allow them to be easily identified in agroecosystems.