Bumpy Fruit of Papaya as Related to Boron Deficiency

Abstract

Externally deformed papaya fruits with "bumpy" skin surfaces have been present in the papaya industry for many years. A relationship between bumpy fruit and boron deficiency has been established in other studies. Studies relating to boron have not been reported under the "rocky" Hawaiian soil conditions. Since studies on boron nutrition under Hawaiian soil conditions have not been reported, this study has two objectives. The first is to determine if there are differences in boron tissue levels between affected and unaffected trees under field conditions. The second is to determine the application rate of boron at which the milky exudate can be eliminated.