The occurrence of the physiological disturbance known as "Skin Freckle on Papaya" (MFM) has reduced the quality of papaya (C. papaya L.) cultivated in Brazil. The acquisition of genetic material tolerant to MFM is a very good strategy to overcome or at least to decrease the negative effects of such disturbance. In this present work, 22 papaya genotypes were evaluated in relation to the MFM, in the Northern region of Rio de Janeiro State. The fruits were collected from a field testing installed in an Experimental Station of PESAGRO-Rio, in the municipality of Macaé. The experiment consisted of a randomized complete block design with four replications, with eight individual plants per plot. The data were submitted to the analysis of variance and to the mean comparison test. Firstly it was conducted a combined analysis involving the two ripening stages - green-mature and ¾ mature. As the genotype by ripening stage was significant, each individual ripening stage was analyzed. Based on the ANOVA, the genotypic determination index (H²) for the trait MFM was estimated, which demonstrated that the evaluation on the second stage (¾ mature) shows higher value (67.85%) than in the green-mature stage (28.95%). Thus, in such stage there is a better differentiation among genotypes. Based on such results, it may be stated that there is expressive genetic variability among the evaluated genotypes, for this trait. So, there is a positive perspective of obtaining better genotypes - hybrids and varieties - in terms of tolerance to MFM via breeding programs. Considering the strategy of breeding procedures, associated to adjustment of cultural practices, it represents new possibilities of growing papaya without the limitations caused by the MFM.
maturity stages; laticifer; papaya breeding; genotypic variability
