ABSTRACT
This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic potential of papaya hybrids synthesized by Embrapa Cassava & Fruits, to identify and select genotypes with good agronomic characteristics, exploitable in the breeding program and direct use in the papaya production system. This study was carried out in the Experimental Field Sector of Embrapa Cassava & Fruits, Cruz das Almas - BA. It was evaluated 22 genotypes (eight lines, twelve hybrids and two witnesses: Sunrise Solo and Tainung no 1) in a randomized block design with four replications of six plants perplot, totalizing 528 plants. For most characters significant differences were observed at 1% and 5% probability, except for stem diameter (SD). The line L60 and H10.60 stood out with the lowest averages for plant height (PH) and insertion height of the first fruits (IHFF), and were not statistically different. Lines L10 and L72, and the hybrids H10.26, H10.60 and H10.72 showed higher averages of numbers of commercial fruits (NCF) than the witness Sunrise Solo. For yield, it was observed wide variability among treatments, with 75% of lines and hybrids overcame the witnesses. Over 50% of the genotypes showed soluble solids (SS) averages above 12 ° Brix. Aiming to associate favorable characteristics for development of new varieties, lines and hybrids that showed satisfactory behavior to the main characters were: L60 and H10.60 to IHFF and PH; L10, L72, H10.26, H10.60 and H10.72, for NCF; L10, H10.72, H26.72, H33.56 and H36.45, for productivity (PROD), and L26, L36, H10.26, H10.60 and H60.72, for SS.
Carica papaya L.; improvement; fruit quality.
