Seasonal variation of mineral content in some papaya cultivars grown in protected cultivation

Abstract

Papaya can be grown the whole year under subtropical condition in protected cultivation. Protected cultivation is improved yield and quality due to the favorable climatic conditions. Beside the yield and quality, nutritional content of the fruit, taste and its contribution to health are also important for the consumers. In this study, the mineral content of Sel-42 and Tainung papaya cultivars grown in protected cultivation system were investigated. In each season (representative season months were January, April, July and October), the fruits were harvested at the same maturity level (one third yellow on fruit peel; Ripening Stage-3 [RST3]) and macro and micro minerals of the fruit samples were analyzed at Ripening Stage-5 (RST5). According to the results; papaya cultivars used in this experiment and different seasons for harvest did not cause any significant difference in terms pf macro and micro minerals (p>0.05). Both cultivars had the highest concentrations for P and K minerals in the autumn harvest (PSel-42: 3.55±1.91 g/kg, PTainung: 3.75±2.33 g/kg; KSel-42: 41.1±25.46 g/kg, KTainung: 39.1±24.04 g/kg). Among the analyzed micro minerals, Fe and B minerals were the highest minerals for both papaya cultivars. In conclusion; the papaya cultivars of Sel-42 and Tainung grown in the protected cultivation system were found high in concentration especially in terms of K, N, Fe, Zn and B minerals.