Original Article

Monitoring and evaluation of wild papaya (Carica papaya L.) in the Almendares-Vento basin of the Mayabeque province

Dr.C. Jesús Rodríguez-Cabello^{1  *} 

¹Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agrícolas (INCA), carretera San José-Tapaste, km 3½, Gaveta Postal 1, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba. CP 32 700

ABSTRACT

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.

Key words: ecosystem; conservation; population; Toxotrypana curvicauda

INTRODUCTION

Biological diversity includes the group of living beings and ecosystems in which they live ^1,2. However, despite its size, it is vulnerable. Numerous species have become extinct and others are in the process of genetic erosion due to their overexploitation and anthropogenic impacts, which affect their areas of natural reproduction and favor the decrease of genetic diversity ^3,4.

The loss and deterioration of habitat, overexploitation, and introduction of invasive species, pollution and climate change are the main factors associated with the loss of biodiversity globally. However, wild varieties must be conserved in situ, in optimal conditions in nature so that biological processes continue and generate new diversity ⁵.

The papaya (Carica papaya L.) is native to the American tropics and is the third most important tropical fruit worldwide ^6-8. Its fruits are appreciated in the industry for its varied uses and for fresh consumption because it is an important source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals ⁹.

Populations of wild papaya that grow in situ are of high value for the conservation and balance of ecosystems. In Cuba, it inhabits the entire island ¹⁰, however from the second half of the last century, only isolated plants can be identified in ecosystems belonging to watersheds, cays and islets or ecosystems of difficult access to man ⁽¹¹. These plants are a source of genes of great value for the genetic improvement of the species, food of the local fauna and restoration of ecosystems; however, in different geographical areas populations are seriously threatened and fragmented ^12,13.

From the ecological point of view, the fragments of species represent several subpopulations that originated by subdividing the population before the modification of the environment. The persistence of subpopulations over time will depend on the ability of some of these subpopulations to interconnect with others through occasional movements of individuals. If this happens, it can be maintained in time ³. That is why the need to take measures that favor their conservation and connection.

The study of threatened flora requires varied information and various methods to develop population monitoring programs that facilitate studying its location in space and identify descriptors that reveal its promising character in the different breeding programs. In addition, obtain reliable information to establish management priorities in conservation ¹⁴. In this sense, monitoring is necessary to collect basic data that are repeatable over time in their areas of natural reproduction, which makes it possible to detect temporary changes in population parameters and serve as a reference for other populations in the country. Based on this criterion, the objective of this study was to monitor the population of wild papaya in the Almendares-Vento basin in the Habana-Matanzas mountain ecosystem, in order to estimate its size, distribution and conservation status. In addition, evaluating descriptors of interest for the genetic improvement of the species.

MATERIALS AND METHIODS

The present study was developed in the Almendares-Vento hydrographic basin belonging to the Mayabeque province, which occupies an area of 179 km² (45 %) of the total area of the basin. From a floristic diagnosis, information was obtained regarding the presence of wild papaya plants in the ecosystem belonging to the Habana-Matanzas mountain range. It is constituted by a set of elevations of synclinal structure where an inversion of relief took place that gave place to an outcrop of serpentine, as well as karstic surfaces without classification that generates diverse structures of soil, fundamentally, Carbonic Humic, that originated to from a soft limestone (marly) and its mechanical composition is clay ¹⁵.

At the top of the elevations are scrubs with emerging species. In most of the hummocks observed, the vegetation conserves, in addition to its most representative floristic elements, its structure and physiognomy, as well as components of two arboreal strata with some emergent, shrubs, herbaceous, lianas and epiphytes ¹¹.

To identify wild papaya plants in situ and assess their conservation status, the Research-Action-Participation method was used ¹⁶. To this end, workshops, meetings and individual interviews were held with the local population related to the species in the basin.

From the information gathered about the possible areas of location of the wild plants in situ, field expeditions were carried out in the period from February to October 2008. Specialists of Ecology and Systematics of the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences and from the protected area Escaleras de Jaruco participated as well as farmers or permanent residents in the selected area. At the time of identifying the plants in situ, they were evaluated through qualitative and quantitative descriptors ¹⁷.

The soluble solids (ºBrix) were determined by a digital refractometer model NR-151. For acidity, the methodology proposed in the COVENIN norm No. 1151-77 was used, through direct titration with NaOH (0.1 N). A Hanna Instruments Brand meter, model HI 8418 A/D was used for the pH.

Regarding the conservation state of the plants, we proceeded to compare the visual aspect of them with the use of a previously established scale (Table 1). The number of leaves on the main stem was observed. In addition, the presence or absence of diseases, damage by animals or other causes that affected their normal growth and development.

Table 1 Appreciation scale of plant conditions (Carica papaya L.) in situ in the Habana-Matanzas mountain range, belonging to the Almendares-Vento basin 

Condition of the plant		Physical characteristics of plants
1	Bad	Plants with less than five leaves or the foliar area deteriorated by diseases or other damages
2	Regular	Plants with six to ten leaves and leaf area without affectations or slight presence of symptoms by pests or other physical damages
3	Good	Healthy plants with more than eleven leaves
4	Very good	Vigorous, healthy plants with abundant foliar area

In May 2010 and 2011, the month in which the rainy season began in Cuba ¹⁸, 100 pregerminated seeds were dispersed, 25 in each collection area and in Cheche town, south of Escaleras de Jaruco, with the objective of to start the spread of wild papaya in situ. To follow up on these plants and those identified in 2008, explorations were carried out in September of the years between 2010 and 2016. Data were taken regarding the number of juvenile and adult plants. Also, the affectations by plagues or physical damages in the plants were observed.

To interpret the results, descriptive statistics were used to estimate and describe the behavior of genotypes in relation to different characters in heterogeneous environments. These must be done before applying any multivariate analysis ¹⁹.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Prospecting of wild papaya in the Almendares-Vento basin

Through the expeditions carried out in 2008, the population size of wild papaya in the Almendares-Vento basin was estimated. The presence of plants was found in three areas distant from each other in the elevated areas belonging to the Havana-Matanzas mountain range. Six of the plants were identified in Escaleras de Jaruco area, eight in La Recría, located in the Aljibe farm, and 10 in Lomas Francisco Javier. The prospected area is framed between the geographic coordinates: 23 ° 00'00 "N and 23 ° 03' 27" S, 82 ° 01 '27 "E and 82 ° 08' 20" W (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Map of the Almendares-Vento Hydrographic Basin. Location of the plants in Lomas Francisco Javier, La Recría and Escaleras de Jaruco in the Habana-Matanzas mountain range, belonging to the Mayabeque province 

From the geomorphological point of view, the area referred to has an elevation of 260 m a.s.l; it is approximately 15 km long and 7 km wide, located in the Mayabeque province, east of Havana ²⁰. In the rest of the elevations and flat or less undulating areas of the basin, wild papaya plants were not identified. This could have been related to anthropic impacts identified in it, which fragmented the habitat area of the wild papaya, with significant reduction in natural areas of conservation and loss of plants and botanical seeds, which could influence the population decline.

Among the anthropic impacts, the increase of the human population stands out, due to the internal migrations from other localities of the country to the study area, which increased the agricultural practices in diverse crops such as corn (Zea mays L.), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.), among others ²¹. In addition, it favored the development of cattle, sheep and goats, which graze uncontrolled in the conservation areas.

It is noteworthy that, although in a lower percentage, the sowing of commercial papaya cultivars in the area of natural reproduction of wild papaya and the introduction of commercial fruits for consumption was corroborated. These practices without the proper control of the rejected seeds that are generally thrown into yards or landfills, constitute a negative aspect in the conservation of wild papaya. Seeds from cultivars germinate and give rise to new plants, which may favor the occurrence of cross-pollination. This is one of the aspects that contributes to the processes of genetic erosion in conserved areas ^22,23.

Other negative impacts on the conservation of the studied ecosystem are indiscriminate felling and forest fires. In this sense, Mayabeque is among the first provinces in the incidence of forest fires, where the highest percentage is attributed to human causes ²¹. Various aspects of the negative influence on the conservation of natural resources in the protected area Escaleras de Jaruco, they were observed by other authors ¹¹. The aforementioned anthropic impacts, the increase of agricultural practices, the development of livestock and the influence of climate change are among the main threats to biological diversity ²⁴.

With the use of descriptive statistics, variability was observed among the plants identified for most of the descriptors evaluated, with the exception of ºBrix (Table 2). The values obtained through descriptive statistics provide significant information about the variability existing in the population, an aspect of interest for subsequent evaluations.

Table 2 Morphoagronomic evaluation in plants of wild papaya (Carica papaya L.) in situ in the Habana-Matanzas mountain range, belonging to the Almendares-Vento basin 

Number of plants	Prospected areas	Statisticians employed	Morphoagronomic descriptors evaluated (IBPGR, 1986)
			Height (cm)	DBT (cm)	Nº	Nº	DP	DE	Mass	GM	SST (ºBrix)	Total acidity
					leaves	fruits	(cm)	(cm)	(g)	(cm)
24	Habana-Matanzas mountain range	Minimum	112	3.1	5	1	4.1	2.4	39.7	0.5	12.2	0.02
		Maximum	521	12.6	29	59	13.3	8.6	325	1.9	13.1	0.03
		Average	310,6	7.0	16.0	18.3	8.7	5.7	177.0	1.1	12.7	0.02
		DE	118.0	2.6	5.9	16.6	3.4	2.1	105.7	0.4	0.3	0.01
		CV	38.0	37.0	37.0	91.1	38.9	36.3	59.7	34.9	2.3	40.7

DT- Diameter of stem. DP- Polar diameter of the fruit. DE- Equatorial diameter of the fruit. GM- Thickness of the fruit mesocarp. SST- Total soluble solids

There was a predominance of adult plants, which may be due to the fact that most of the plants were identified before the rainy season and generally the seeds germinate when the rains begin in the summer. However, the low number of juvenile plants indicated that the spread is slow, and that it is necessary to take measures that facilitate increasing the number of individuals per unit area in the wild population of the Almendares-Vento basin.

The descriptors equatorial diameter of the fruit, polar diameter of the fruit and mass of the fruit showed marked differences between plants in the minimum and maximum statisticians (Table 2). Similar results were obtained in evaluations carried out on collections of wild papaya in five localities of Costa Rica ²⁵. The authors found diameters in the fruits that varied for the different localities between 5.2 and 9.0 cm, while the fruit mass varied from 39.7 to 325 g with an average of 177 g. In addition, low acidity and levels higher than 12 ºBrix were found in the fruits, which is of interest for the improvement of the crop as it is one of the characteristics of commercial quality that determines its acceptance for consumption ²⁶.

The variability appreciated for the descriptors plant height, diameter of the stem, number of leaves and fruits per plant was due to a large extent, to the influence of environmental conditions, typical of heterogeneous environments (Table 2). As well as, that the seeds that gave rise to these plants germinated at different times during the year or in years preceding the prospecting. This aspect influenced the different phenological phases of the plants at the moment of being identified.

With regard to the above, temperature is the factor that determines the duration of the phenological phases from the germination of the seed to the maturity of the fruit ^27,28. Plants need sunlight to perform photosynthesis, in a range between 400 and 700 nm of wavelengths, interval known as photosynthetically active radiation. The range corresponds to the critical points of absorption of blue and red light in chlorophylls that absorb between 400 and 700 nm ^29,30.

The blue light is responsible for the vegetative growth, while the red light regulates the flowering, the production of fruits, contributes to thicken the diameter of the stem and stimulates the branching. However, phytochromes absorb red and red distant light between 700 and 800 nm ^31,32. However, in their areas of natural reproduction, plants grow in a heterogeneous environment and not all receive the same solar radiation. When light-demanding plants, such as C. papaya, grow under the shade of other plants, they receive light from the blue and red fractions at low intensity and a higher proportion of far red light.

Under the conditions referred to above, the photosynthetic rate is low and as a response to shade, the plant decreases the production of leaves, fruits and seeds ^29,33. In addition, because of the relationship between red and far red is reduced, internode length and growth of adult plants are favored.

Under the conditions referred to above, the photosynthetic rate is low and as a response to shade, the plant decreases the production of leaves, fruits and seeds ^29,33. In addition, because the relationship between red and far red is reduced, internode length and growth of adult plants are favored.

In the seedlings, the perception of far red light by phytochrome A exerts an antagonistic effect to that of the photostable phytochromes, which causes the reduction of the elongation of the stem, but phytochrome A is not abundant in the adult plant, which is why this photoreceptor stops controlling the lengthening of the stem at this stage ³⁴. This influenced the results shown in the present study.

The low number of leaves and fruits per plant can be attributed to a water deficit, as a mechanism to control the loss of water by transpiration according to results in studies developed in Mexico ³⁵. The author stated that at the end of the rainy season, wild papaya plants reduced the number and proportion of leaves and fruits, as a protection mechanism against dehydration. In addition, some of these plants fructified more than once, and the senescence of the oldest leaves takes place as the plant grows and ages. The number of active leaves in papaya is a function of the age of the plant and the agrotechnical conditions where it develops ³⁶.

The variation observed in the number of fruits per plant is also related to the small number of plants identified in the prospected area and to the sex of the plants (Figure 2). Wild papaya plants are dioecious and in their areas of natural reproduction are in different phenological phases, so not all bloom on the same date. This together with the low density of plants in the ecosystem makes pollination of flowers difficult, due to the distance between plants of different sexes and natural barriers, mainly vegetation and relief.

Figure 2 Evaluation of sex in plants of wild papaya (Carica papaya L.) identified in the Havana-Matanzas mountain range 

Las flores del papayo silvestre son polinizadas, mayoritariamente, por el viento e insectos, de modo que cuando las plantas crecen de forma aislada in situ, muchas de las flores no resultan polinizadas y abortan con influencia negativa en el número de frutos por planta ^37,38.

A partir de las observaciones referentes al número de hojas en el tallo, la presencia de plagas u otros daños físicos y aspecto visual de la planta, se valoró su estado de conservación. No se observaron síntomas de enfermedades virales, bacterias u hongos en las plantas evaluadas, sí daños físicos y por insectos (Figure 3).

Figure 3 Percentage of plants of wild papaya (Carica papaya L.) affected by physical damage and pests in their natural areas of the Havana-Matanzas mountain range at the moment of being identified 

All the fruits of 20 % of the plants were affected by larvae of the papaya wasp (Toxotrypana curvicauda Gerstaechek.) Diptera: Tephritidae (Figure 4A). This insect is among the most economically important pests in fruit growing ^39,40. The commercialization of the fruits is limited by the direct damage caused by the larvae of the papaya wasp ^41,42.

The presence of the papaya wasp in the areas of natural reproduction of wild papaya is significant for its conservation due to the low density of plants. The larva of the fly feeds on the seeds and inner tissues of the fruit. Hence, the increase of the insect in the area affects its spread. In addition, it was observed that 16% of the plants suffered physical damage from fires or animals (Figure 4B and C).

Figure 4 Plants and fruits of wild papaya (Carica papaya L.) in areas of the Habana-Matanzas mountain range in the Almendares-Vento basin. Damage by larvae of Toxotrypana curvicauda (A). Physical damage by animals (B). Damages due to forest fires (C) 

There was a predominance of the good appearance of the plants (Figure 5). However, 18 % showed poor appearance and 28 % showed a regular appearance, which may be due to physical damage and adverse conditions in the natural areas of in situ conservation, where the plants grow, generally exposed to extreme drought, little availability of nutrients and under the shade of other plants.

Figure 5 Appearance of plants of wild papaya (Carica papaya L.) in their natural areas of the Havana-Matanzas range from the number of leaves, damage by pests and visual appearance 

In environments such as those referred to above, photosynthesis is affected, which is conditioned by external factors such as: intensity and quality of light, concentration of CO₂, temperature, availability of nutrients, water, among others ⁴³. This is why the monitoring of the established wild papaya plants and their agronomic attention is significant to increase and conserve the population in the areas of natural reproduction.

In situ prospecting and evaluation allowed to determine the characteristics of the population in terms of size, conservation status, distribution in the ecosystem, type of reproduction and structure (proportion of juvenile and reproductive plants). In this sense, the conservation of species of threatened flora requires both the classical knowledge of their area of distribution and occupation as well as demographic parameters such as size, structure and population dynamics ¹⁴.

Monitoring of wild papaya plants in the Almendares-Vento basin

Figure 6 shows the number of juvenile and adult plants observed during the expeditions carried out to follow the population of wild papaya in the Havana-Matanzas range. It was found that the number of juvenile and adult plants decreased in 2010 compared to 2008, which evidenced the susceptibility of the wild papaya of the basin prospected to erosion because no measures were taken for its conservation. However, the dissemination of pregerminated seeds in May 2010 and 2011, increased the number of juvenile and adult plants.

Figure 6 Monitoring of the population of wild papaya (Carica papaya L.) in its natural reproduction areas of the Almendares-Vento basin 

The results showed that the dispersion of pre-germinated seeds in the areas of natural reproduction at the beginning of the rainy season (May) is an effective procedure to increase the population of wild papaya. The aforementioned practice counteracts, to some extent, the process of genetic erosion due to anthropic impacts. However, it is necessary to take protective measures to preserve the established plants.

In 2013, the number of juvenile papaya plants decreased with respect to the previous year, which could have been due to the dormancy of the seeds produced in situ in 2012, and then increased as of 2014 (Figure 6). This behavior could be favored by the forest fires that occurred at the beginning of the year in the areas of La Recría and Lomas Francisco Javier.

It is noteworthy that during the follow-up expeditions made to the population, the presence of fungi, papaya ring spot virus (PRSV) and bunchy top Papaya (PBT), in the plants (Figure 7).

Figure 7 Percentage of plants of wild papaya (Carica papaya L.) affected by physical damage or pests in their natural areas of the Havana-Matanzas mountain range during the evaluations made in the follow-up to the population 

The non-incidence of PRSV in wild papaya in situ is due to the low number of plants existing in the prospected ecosystem, generally far from each other. This behavior was also observed in Mexico. In field trips it was observed that the wild papaya is susceptible to diseases of viral origin, but because they are generally in low population density, with respect to the cultivated papaya, and surrounded by other species, they avoid viruses ³⁵.

In the expeditions carried out, the fruit was affected by larvae of the papaya wasp, between 18 and 48 % of the plants. Results similar to those present were obtained in Colombia. Without control, this pest can cause serious damage in the crop ⁴⁵. Apparently this is the most important pest for the wild papaya in the upper areas of the Almendares-Vento basin.

CONCLUSIONS

• Twenty-four wild papaya plants were identified in Lomas Francisco Javier, La Recría and Escaleras de Jaruco belonging to the Habana-Matanzas mountain range. In general, the plants are in good condition, although affected by anthropogenic impacts and the Toxotrypana curvicauda, identified as the most important pest of wild papaya in situ.

• The morphoagronomic descriptors evaluated indicate that this wild species could be used in breeding programs to obtain cultivars with characteristics different from those prevailing in the Cuban market. The dispersion of pre-germinated seeds at the beginning of the rainy season was effective in increasing the population of wild papaya in the short term. The monitoring of the population of wild papaya allowed detecting tendencies to increase the number of plants from the comparison of observations at different times.

RECOMMENDATIONS

To establish the study area as a core area for the conservation and research of wild papaya and other species of interest in the ecosystem. To continue monitoring the population of wild papaya in the Almendares-Vento basin.

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Received: December 01, 2017; Accepted: December 21, 2018

^* Author for correspondence. [e-mail]