Nitrogen sources and rates, and the papaya fruit quality

Abstract

Nitrogen supplement is related to the major increases in yield, its effects on fruit quality are however, unfavorable in many cases. With the aim of evaluating the effect of sources as well as rates of nitrogen fertilizer on the quality of papaya (cv. Improved Sunrise Solo Line 72/12´) fruits, an experiment was carried out in field, using an Acrisol, in a randomized 2 X 3 complete factorial block design, with three replications. Three rates of N (10, 20 and 30 g plant-1 month-1) with two sources of N (ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate), were applied to a total of 18 plants. Fruit number, weight, pH, acidity, ascorbic acid and total soluble solids were determined. Increasing N rates caused an increase in fruit yield. Weight, pH and acidity were not affected by the treatments. Total soluble solids contents decreased when ammonium sulfate application increased. The treatment with ammonium nitrate resulted in higher fruit production, as well as increased ascorbic acid concentration.