The behavior of papaya (Carica papaya L. cv. 'Sunrise Solo' and 'Tainung 1') seedlings grown in polystyrene trays (72 cells) in the growth medium (Plantmax® = pine bark + vermiculite + peat) amended with 4% of organic fertilizer (Humus; composted cattle manure and Nutriplanta®) combined with 0.05% of inorganic fertilizer (Osmocote® - slow release - NPK 14-14-14 and normal release NPK 14-14-14) was evaluated in this study. Germination in cv. 'Sunrise Solo' and hybrid 'Tainung 1' occurred 12 and 14 days after sowing, respectively. Higher germination rate in both materials was obtained in the growth medium fertilized with Osmocote plus humus and composted cattle manure, respectively. The seedlings fertilized with slow release type hastened growth compared with normal one. Growth medium amended with Nutriplanta® gave good results but there was no significant difference with others organic fertilizers. The seedlings grown in growth medium amended with composted cattle manure + normal release NPK showed the poorest results in almost all analyzed parameters such as height, stem diameter, dry weight - root and top - and total leaf area. The nutrient contents (NPK) found in the leaf analyses samples were higher in treatments using slow release fertilizer (~20% for hybrid Tainung 1 and ~+10% for cv. Sunrise Solo) compared with the normal one.
Carica papaya; cultivars; humus; manure
