DEVELOPMENT OF PAPAYA SEEDLINGS IN DIFFERENT CONTAINER SIZES AFTER THE IDEAL PLANTING PERIOD

The choice of production method and bag size to be used is crucial for the production of quality seedlings at an affordable cost for the producer, who should look for the ideal bag and the method that best adapts to local conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different container sizes on the maintenance of papaya seedlings in the nursery after the normal planting period. Papaya seeds of the Formosa cultivar were used, sowing one seed per 200 mL tube, substrate soil + sand + humus (2:1:1). After 60 days from the beginning of emergence, the seedlings were transplanted to bags of the following sizes: 15x15 cm; 15x20 cm; 15x25 cm; 15x30 cm; 15x35 cm. After 90 days of transplanting, the following variables were evaluated: plant height; number of leaves, stem diameter, root length; green and dry mass of leaves; green and dry mass of roots. The 15 x 30 cm bag presented the best results in the evaluation of the aerial part, however, in the evaluation of the production of green and dry mass of the leaves, the 15 x 25 cm bag treatment obtained the best result. The 15 x 25 cm bag was considered the best container size for maintaining papaya seedlings in the nursery.