Carica papaya is the scientific name of the papaya, a fruit little known in the Spanish province of Almeria, although in recent times it has attracted more attention after being the focus of various seminars. Since 2012, the University of Almeria, together with the Cajamar Foundation, has launched an experimental farm in Las Palmerillas, while the UAL-Anecoop Foundation has done the same thing over the last three years. The results are now starting to appear a year and a half later, with emphasis on the real potential of Almeria for the cultivation of papaya crops in greenhouses and its perception as a perfectly viable alternative to the production of traditional fruits and vegetables.
Today there is new research that points to a revolution in the production of papaya from a commercial point of view. After more than two years of experiments conducted by the University of Almeria and the breeder Vitalplant, the key has been found. The work, led by the Professor of Plant Production and Director of the Cajamar Chair of Economy and Agro-Food, Francisco Camacho Ferre, with support from Vitalplant manager Asensio Navarro, has yielded fruitful results. Vitalplant and the Research Group of the UAL consider that the sexing of papayas in a premature state with molecular techniques, combined with herbaceous grafting, a technique widespread in many countries as an alternative to methyl bromide in tomato, watermelon, melon and cucumber crops, facilitates the crop’s agronomic handling and improves the production, given that the crop cycles are better adapted, saving time, space and reducing costs.
The work carried out has led to the creation of a model that is considered pioneering worldwide, combining herbaceous grafting and premature sexing of the plant with the aim of reducing the cost of propagated seedlings, while improving, at the same time, the productivity of papaya crops.
Research shows that Almería has a “real chance to gain a foothold in the papaya sector” at an international level, arriving earlier than producers in other areas, including some where the fruit is traditionally cultivated, such as Mexico, India, Brazil or Colombia, explains Camacho Ferre.
Source: Fresh Plaza