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Papaya. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

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Content

1. Photos, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
2. Genus, family, origin, range, chemical composition, economic importance
3. Botanical description, reference data, useful information, illustrations
4. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology
5. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Papaya (melon tree), Carica papaya. Photos of the plant, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

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Family: Caricaceae

Origin: Central America and Mexico

Area: Papaya is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including Central and South America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and Oceania.

Chemical composition: Papaya contains many nutrients, including the enzyme papain, vitamins A, C and E, carotenoids, folic acid, potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. Also contains antioxidants and phytonutrients.

Economic value: Papaya is a popular fruit and is used in cooking, including salads, desserts and drinks. The papaya enzyme is also produced from papaya, which is used in the industry of food additives, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. In medicine, papaya is prescribed as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory agent. Papaya leaves are also used in folk medicine as a remedy for liver disease, diabetes, and hypertension. In some regions of the world, papaya is used as an antiparasitic agent, since the papain contained in it is able to kill parasites in the intestines.

Legends and myths: In Maya and Aztec culture, papaya was associated with the sun deity, and its leaves were used to decorate temple altars. In addition, the Maya believed that papaya had medicinal properties and used it to treat diseases of the stomach and intestines. In other cultures, such as Indian and Chinese, papaya has been used as a medicinal herb to treat heart, kidney, and stomach ailments. Papaya has also been considered a symbol of wealth and prosperity. In addition, papaya also has mythological significance. In Greek mythology, there is a romance between the sun god Helios and the beautiful nymph Libia, who was turned into a papaya when their love was dazzling because the sun was too bright.

Papaya (melon tree), Carica papaya. Description, illustrations of the plant

Papaya (melon tree), Carica papaya. Methods of application, origin of the plant, range, botanical description, cultivation

The genus Cariaca belongs to the Caricaceae family and includes over 30 species. The only cultivated species is Cariaca papaya L, although many wild species also produce edible fruits.

The species Cariaca papaya L. combines wild, feral and cultivated forms. In the XV-XVI centuries. they were discovered by Spanish navigators in the territory from the modern USA (Florida) and Mexico to Ecuador and Colombia. The cultivated papaya appears to have originated in what is now southern Mexico and Guatemala. According to the monuments of the ancient Mayan, Olmec and Aztec civilizations, papaya was grown here many centuries before the arrival of Europeans.

Papaya was first described in Oviedo's famous book Natural and General History of India, published in 1535. A hundred years later, papaya was already grown in many tropical regions of Asia and Africa. The possibility of introducing this culture to Southeast Asia even earlier through Polynesia and then the Philippines is not ruled out. The works of T. Heyerdahl confirm the possibility of long-distance travel across the Pacific Ocean in the pre-Columbian era.

In terms of distribution, this culture competes with banana and mango; its range includes tropical and subtropical regions of North, Central and South America.

In the tropics, it is rare to see a village where a few papaya trees do not grow near the house. Its fruits are included in the daily diet of hundreds of millions of people and play an important role in local fruit markets. World production of papaya is 3,7 million tons. At the same time, there are practically no fresh fruits on the international market. However, the improvement of their transportation makes it possible to significantly expand the supply of papaya to the European and North American markets. At the same time, a canning industry for processing papaya is developing in the tropics.

The fruits contain (in%) solids - 12,5, sugar - 7,1, including sucrose - 0,4 and monosaccharides - 6,4, pectin - 0,7, proteins - 0,6, fiber - 1,2, ash - 0,55, as well as carotene - 143 mg per 100 g, vitamin C - 62 mg per 100 g.

Papaya fruits are consumed fresh, with salt, pepper, sugar, lemon, lime or pineapple juice, or canned food is prepared in the form of compotes, jams, jelly, marmalade, juices with pulp, mashed potatoes, candied and glazed fruits (pieces), dried and frozen.

Papain is obtained from papaya fruits - a proteolytic enzyme that breaks down protein molecules and therefore has found application both in non-food (textile and pharmaceutical industries) and in food industries. Among the latter, the most common use of papain is to soften tough meats, usually beef, to clarify beer by precipitating coagulated proteins, etc.

Papain is contained in the milky juice (latex) of immature fruits, it is abundantly released if shallow cuts are made on the skin with a knife made of stainless materials, such as ivory. The juice flowing out within a few hours is collected in cups. After 3-5 days, the same fruits are cut and the collection of juice is resumed. Juice is poured from cups onto flat sheets and dried in a thin layer in the sun or in dryers at a temperature of no more than 38 ° C during the day. The dry product as a semi-finished product for obtaining the finished enzyme is transferred to industrial production.

The collection of papain from a tree is usually 100-250 g per year, sometimes up to 500 g; from 1 ha - 35-80 kg. Papain is widely used as a therapeutic agent, including in the field of ophthalmology, neurosurgery, general surgery, neuropathology, gynecology. Milky juice is used to treat eczema, ulcers, warts, calluses and freckles. The anthelmintic effect of papain was noted. It destroys the toxins of many pathogens of infectious diseases. Papain has a complex effect - proteolytic, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, dehydration and analgesic.

Papaya looks more like palm trees than fruit trees, soft wood stem 3 to 10 m high, rosette of very large 7-9-lobed dissected leaves with long petioles, in the axils of which flowers form. Many varieties have an unbranched trunk, others form side branches.

In shape, structure and taste, the fruit resembles a melon, hence the synonym for papaya is a melon tree. Weight of fruits from 1 to 7 kg. Under the skin of the fruit is a juicy orange-yellow pulp with numerous small hard seeds.

Papaya has great growth energy, forms an assimilation apparatus in a few months and proceeds to the formation of fruit buds, flowering and fruit formation. Then the formation of leaves and generative buds continues until the end of the life of the trees. At the same time, the trunk is exposed from below due to the death of old leaves.

The life expectancy of plants is over 20 years, but in culture - no more than 3-4 years due to reduced yields and deterioration in fruit quality. In this case, plant rejuvenation is used, greatly shortening the trunk and stimulating the growth of shoots from dormant buds. The root system has much in common with a banana - a large number of roots of the 1st order, without root hairs.

Papaya is distinguished by the variety of sexual forms of trees. Experts distinguish 32 sexual forms from papaya. Moreover, many forms are not stable and change gender throughout the life of the tree.

Flowers of three types are male (staminate), female (pistillate) and bisexual. Among the latter, a number of types are distinguished, which differ in the number of stamens (1-10) and pistils (1-5) in the flower. Each type of plant has its own shape and structure of the fruit. In addition, flowers of different types often form on the same tree, so the number of sexual forms increases even more.

Some trees are dioecious, with male and female flowers. Female plants have 3-4 flowers in the axil of each leaf, but after fertilization, only one of them develops into a fruit, the rest fall off. In male plants, flowers are collected in inflorescences.

Papaya also has monoecious plants with male, female or bisexual flowers.

Papaya is an insect pollinated plant. Some varieties form fruits parthenocarpically (without pollination and fertilization), but they are low-yielding and have fruits of low quality.

Papaya is a typical crop of a humid tropical climate. The optimum temperature is considered to be 22-28 ° C, a decrease to 15-17 ° C inhibits the vital activity of plants. Temperatures above 30 °C have a negative effect on the crop if there is not enough water in the soil and the atmospheric humidity is low. However, under such conditions, the ripening of fruits is accelerated and their quality is better, while cool weather delays ripening and the fruits are non-aromatic, tasteless.

In the tropical zone, papaya can be cultivated up to a height of 700 m (Sri Lanka) and 2000 m (Colombia, Ecuador).

In connection with the superficial root system, papaya is demanding on the water regime. Precipitation from 1800 to 2000 mm per year is considered optimal, but equally important is their uniform distribution throughout the year; 100-150 mm is considered the monthly norm of precipitation. However, waterlogging and stagnant water even for 24 hours can lead to the death of plants. Waterlogging of the soil contributes to the development of fungal diseases of the roots and root neck. Therefore, papaya is demanding on drainage and soil aeration. The optimal reaction of the soil solution is slightly acidic (pH 6,0-6,5).

Papaya is a photophilous plant, does not tolerate shading. Papaya plantations should be protected from the wind.

There are a large number of varieties of papaya, most of them are grown in the Americas. However, for papaya, it is more correct to call them not varieties, but populations that include different genotypes. Most of the papaya trees in the world belong to local varieties - populations. Their names usually show the place of origin of the variety Madagascar, Singapore, West Indies, Philippines. In many varieties, only female specimens are of value, but they usually occur among seedlings no more than 20-30%.

There are few commercial varieties of papaya that have been selected. Among them is the Solo variety. From seeds obtained by self-pollination, 23 bisexual and V3 female plants grow. Trees of medium vigor, productive, fruits weighing about 400 g with tender and fragrant pulp.

When evaluating varieties, such indicators as uniformity of fruits in shape and size (optimum weight 0,5-1,5 kg), their transportability, keeping quality, resistance to drought and diseases are taken into account. The main problem for the papaya culture was viral diseases, mainly wilt.

The papaya seed system is not the same for different varieties, but the goal is always to get the maximum number of plants of the desired sex. The basis of seed production of a number of leading commercial varieties (Solo, Bluesten, etc.) is the crossing of bisexual plants. In bisexual forms, it is easier to preserve varietal properties by self-pollination and subsequent culling of undesirable genotypes in a number of generations. It is difficult to achieve complete homozygosity, but it can be considered a success when the offspring are 65-70% bisexual, 30-35% female and less than 1% male plants.

With vegetative propagation of papaya, plants of a known sex are obtained, while maintaining the properties of the variety. The propagation technique is simple; stem cuttings 20-40 cm long take root easily at optimal soil moisture and a temperature of 30 ° C. However, vegetative propagation is practically not used due to a sharp drop in the growth energy and productivity of plants.

For seed propagation, seeds are taken from ripe fruits from selected mother trees. Seeds remain viable from several months to several years. For more friendly germination of seeds, they are kept in a humid environment at 35 ° C during the day and 26 ° C at night, after 8 days most of the seeds germinate, and in 14 days - up to 78%.

For seed propagation of papaya, sowing in a nursery is used, followed by transplanting into a garden or sowing to a permanent place. On a large scale, sowing seeds in plastic bags filled with soil is also used. At the same time, in Cuba, plants begin to bear fruit after 10 months, that is, a month later than when sown in the garden; when transplanting seedlings from the nursery, they bear fruit in 12-13 months.

The optimal age for planting seedlings from the nursery to the garden is considered to be from 1 to 3 months old. Several plants are planted or sown in each planting hole in order to remove unwanted forms after flowering begins.

Common planting patterns in commercial plantations (in m) 2 x 2; 3 x 3; 3 x 2 (India and Sri Lanka); 2,5 x 2,5; 3 x 3 (Colombia); 4 x 2; 4 x 3 (Cuba). When culling, most varieties leave female specimens and 5-10% male specimens for pollination. In many countries, at the age of 5 months, plants are pinched (cut off the top of the stem), after which 2-3 shoots are formed, it is believed that in many varieties this increases the yield.

In rows and between rows, various soil management systems are used: cover crops, black fallow, mulching, and herbicides.

On commercial plantations, high doses of mineral and organic fertilizers are applied, and irrigation is used. Watering accelerates the growth of trees and allows you to get a crop 1-2 months earlier. It is known, however, that excessive irrigation has a negative effect on the taste and transportability of the fruit.

The first crop ripens 10-15 months after sowing or planting. However, after 3-4 years of fruiting, papaya productivity decreases. Therefore, the plantation is uprooted or rejuvenated and an additional crop is obtained from a new stem. Due to the fragility of papaya, it is advantageous to grow it in crop rotation.

Harvesting and storage. Papaya is highly productive. With intensive cultivation on commercial plantations, 30-40 fruits per tree per year, or 40-70 tons / ha of fruits, are obtained. Of these, usually 10-14 tons are sold fresh, as they meet the standards, the rest are processed.

Commercial varieties produce fruits weighing 1-3 kg. Papaya is considered a champion among agricultural crops, because individual plantations yield 120-150 t/ha, and it is theoretically possible to obtain up to 240 t/ha of fruit annually.

From the moment of fertilization to the full maturity of the fruit, 5-7 months pass. During the last two weeks of ripening, the amount of sugars in the fruit almost doubles, so they are harvested ripe for consumption on the spot.

Fruits intended for export are harvested earlier, at the beginning of the yellowing of the skin. They are stored for several weeks at 8-10 °C and relative air humidity of 80-85%, and therefore they can be transported over long distances. However, ripening requires a higher temperature. The edible pulp makes up 60-80% of the mass of the papaya fruit. The rest falls on the peel and seed nest.

Authors: Baranov V.D., Ustimenko G.V.

Papaya (melon tree), Carica papaya. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology

Ethnoscience:

• For the treatment of digestive disorders: eat papaya or make an infusion from its leaves. To prepare the infusion, pour 1 tablespoon of crushed papaya leaves into 200 ml of boiling water and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. Refrigerate and drink 2-3 times a day. Papaya contains enzymes that help improve digestion and reduce inflammation in the gut.
• For the treatment of skin diseases: prepare a papaya paste and apply on the skin. To prepare the mouth, grind the pulp of papaya and apply it on the affected areas of the skin. Leave on for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Papaya contains papain, which can help reduce inflammation, improve skin tone, and lighten age spots.
• To treat a cold: prepare an infusion of papaya and honey. To prepare the infusion, pour 1 tablespoon of chopped papaya with 200 ml of boiling water and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. Cool and add 1 tablespoon of honey. Drink 2-3 times a day. Papaya contains vitamin C, which can help boost the immune system and fight off colds.
• For the treatment of diseases of the heart and blood vessels: eat papaya or make an infusion from its leaves. Papaya contains antioxidants that help protect the heart and blood vessels from damage and reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Cosmetology:

• Mask for the face: crush papaya pulp and apply on face. Leave on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water. This mask will help reduce pigmentation and improve skin texture.
• Body Scrub: crush papaya pulp and mix with oatmeal and honey. Apply to the body and massage in circular motions, then rinse with warm water. This scrub will help exfoliate dead skin cells and improve skin texture.
• Face tonic: Grind papaya pulp and add to rose water bottle. Shake well and use as a facial toner. This toner will help lighten pigmentation and improve skin texture.
• Hand cream: crush papaya pulp and mix with coconut oil and honey. Apply to hands and massage until completely absorbed. This cream will help moisturize and nourish the skin of the hands, as well as improve their texture.
• Massage oil: crush papaya pulp and mix with jojoba oil. Use as a massage oil. This oil will help improve skin texture and reduce pigmentation.

Attention! Before use, consult with a specialist!

Papaya (melon tree), Carica papaya. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Papaya (Carica papaya) is a fruit tree common in tropical regions.

Tips for growing, harvesting and storing papaya:

Cultivation:

• Soil Selection: Papaya prefers loose, fertile soil with good drainage capacity. The optimum soil pH is between 6 and 6,5.
• Lighting: Papaya loves bright sunlight. Choose a location where the tree will receive a full day of sun.
• Planting: When planting papaya, consider the distance between plants. It is recommended to leave approximately 2-3 meters between each plant.
• Planting Depth: Plant plants at a depth equal to their container or pot in which they were grown. Make sure the root collar stays above soil level.
• Growing: Papaya requires a warm climate and adequate moisture. Make sure the plant is getting enough water, especially during dry spells. Feed the plant with fertilizers rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
• Care: Remove weeds around the plant to prevent competition for nutrients and moisture. Keep the soil moist but avoid standing water. Feed the plant with organic or mineral fertilizers regularly.
• Pest Control: Check the plant for pests such as aphids or whiteflies. If signs of pests are found, apply appropriate control methods such as the use of natural insecticides.

Workpiece:

• Papaya ripens on trees within 5-7 months after flowering.
• Ripe fruits must be cut from the tree with a sharp knife.
• After picking, the fruits should be left in the sun for a few hours so that they ripen further and acquire a bright orange color.
• Ripe papayas can be used fresh or made into desserts, salads, drinks, and other foods.

Storage:

• Fresh papayas should be stored in a cool place, at a temperature of about 10-12 °C.
• Fruits should be stored separately from other fruits and vegetables to avoid overripe.
• Papaya can be frozen or canned for longer storage.

Papaya is a valuable source of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that can help support health and wellness.

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