Papaya characteristics under different spacing regimes

Papaya is a popular tropical fruit in the Virgin Islands and is widely grown by small farmers. The use of space is extremely critical to small farmers in order to utilize their limited resources for maximum production. The objective of this research was to determine the spacing requirements for optimal production using selected papaya varieties ('Maradol', 'Tainung 5', 'Trini χ Washington' and 'Yuen Nong 1') at three spacing regimes. The spacing applied were 3 m χ 3 m, 3 m x 2 m and a staggered double row of 3 m χ 1 m. Data was collected on the stem diameter, height to first flower, height to first fruit and fruit size. Plant spacing did not affect height to first flower or height to first fruit set. Fruit size was significantly influenced by plant spacing for varieties 'Maradol' and 'Yuen Nong 1'. The three plant spacing regimes did not affect stem diameter. Under these ideal conditions, plant spacing only has an effect on fruit size within certain papaya varieties