Back P. R. Chagas and H. Tokeshi
University of Sao Paulo, ESALQ, Piracicaba, Brazil
Abstract
Excessive flower and fruit dehiscence was observed in comparative studies
on conventional and organic cultivation of papaya. Chemical and phytopathological
analysis revealed nutritional imbalances in potassium and calcium, induced
by excessive sodium. Increasing calcium and using sulphur in organic plots
to control pests and diseases corrected this. The reduction of flower dehiscence
and fruits and control of insect pests and increase in fruit yields confirmed
the diagnosis of the nutritional imbalance. The success was more prominent
in the organic system treated with EM bokashi. The importance of nutritional
balance in papaya cultivation is presented on the basis of this study.