Abstract

RODRIGUEZ-CABELLO, Jesús. Monitoring and evaluation of wild papaya (Carica papaya L.) in the Almendares-Vento basin of the Mayabeque province. cultrop [online]. 2019, vol.40, n.1 ISSN 1819-4087.

Populations of wild papaya that grow in their areas of natural reproduction are of high ecological value. In Cuba, the metapopulation was fragmented into subpopulations that grow isolated, generally, in ecosystems belonging to river watersheds. These plants constitute a source of genes of great value for the genetic improvement of the species, fauna food and for the restoration, conservation and balance of the ecosystems; however, in different geographical regions they are seriously threatened. In this sense it is necessary to collect data in situ, which are repeatable over time and allow detecting temporary changes in population parameters. The objective of this study was to estimate the population size of the wild papaya in the Almendares-Vento watershed, its distribution in the Habana-Matanzas mountain range ecosystem and the conservation state of the plants. Field expeditions were conducted to identify and evaluate wild papaya plants. In the rainy season, pre-germinated seeds collected in situ were dispersed, and the population was monitored. The prospecting confirmed the presence of wild papaya in three areas of the Havana-Matanzas mountain range, the conservation state of the plants, the population reproduction and its phenological phases. However, anthropic impacts that affect its conservation were detected. In addition, Toxotrypana Curvicauda was identified as the most important pest of wild papaya in situ. The dispersion of pre-germinated seeds in the rainy season was effective in increasing the population of wild papaya in the short term.

Keywords : ecosystem; conservation; population; Toxotrypana curvicauda.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in English | Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )