Plant Growth and Fruit Nutrient Changes in <i>Carica papaya</i> L. Genotypes Subjected to Regulated Deficit Irrigation

The current genotypes of Carica papaya L. cultivated worldwide are considered relatively tolerant or sensitive to drought conditions, depending specifically on the cultivar features and the severity of water shortage. In this work an experimental field was established by subjecting “Intenzza” and “Siluet” to the following water regimes: Control (“CT”), plants irrigated at field capacity (100%); Moderate Deficit Irrigation (“MDI”, watered at 66%); and Severe Deficit Irrigation (“SDI”, watered at 50%). The results indicated that water deficit decreases leaf number leading to a decline of total leaf area, being “Intenzza” equally affected by “SDI” and “MDI”, whereas in “Siluet” the major decrease was induced by “SDI”. Regarding fruit development, in “Intenzza”, “MDI” and “SDI” did not affect fruit number except two dates (120 and 202 DAT), decreased fruit fresh weight (FW), and increased total soluble solutes (TSS) levels, while in “Siluet” only “SDI” reduced fruit FW and watering systems did not change TSS, suggesting a better performance of this cultivar under “MDI”. In addition, drought did not impair fruit mineral concentrations excepting in few dates, and in such cases stressed fruits accumulated a slight minor or even major concentration of some nutrients than control, maintaining consequently suitable organoleptic quality