Emergence, growth and plant quality of two papaya (Carica papaya L.) genotypes inoculated with entomopathogenic fungi

Abstract

The papaya (Carica papaya L.) is an economically important crop in Mexico and Latin America. The nursery phase plays a primary role in the production process, at this stage, it is susceptible to pests and diseases. The use of biofertilizers based on entomopathogenic fungi (EF) is an alternative to produce healthy and quality seedlings, through biological agriculture. The objective was to evaluate the ability of Beauveria brongniartii and Purpureocilium lilacinum to colonize tissues, promote emergence and improve the plant quality of two papaya genotypes in nursery. An experiment with factorial design A×B was established [A = papaya genotype (hybrid '“Intenzza” and var. “Maradol”) and B = inoculation of B. brongniartii (Bb), P. lilacinum (Pl) and without microorganism]. Emergence percentage (EP), Plant Height (PH), Stem Diameter (SD), Fresh Biomass (FB) and Dry Biomass (DB), endophytism, Lignification Index (LIGI) and Dickson Quality (DQI) were quantified. EP increased (6%, P = 0.0043) with Bb inoculation. Both EF increased the PH (P = 0.00001) by 0.38 (Bb) and 0.37 cm (Pl), and the ST (P = 0.00001) by 0.24 (Bb) and 0.23 mm (Pl), respectively. Aerial and root FB (P = 0.0003) increased with Bb and Pl by 0.16 and 0.1 g, and 0.17 and 0.1 g, respectively. LIGI (P = 0.0128) and QDI (P = 0.0433) were higher with Bb. Both EF colonized different plant tissues. Bb inoculation promoted seed emergence, both EF were able to colonize endophytically different organs of the plant and favored its quality.