Study on cross compatibility of intergeneric hybridization between Carica with Vasconcellea species

Intergeneric hybridization was carried out to know the cross compatibility between papaya varieties (Arka Prabhath, Arka Surya and Red Lady) with Vasconcellea species (V. cauliflora, V. cundinamarcensis and V. parviflora). Arka Prabhath was found to be a good combiner with all the three wild species (V. cauliflora, V. cundinamarcensis and V. parviflora) which has recorded good fruit set (85.42, 78.13 and 84.38 % respectively), fruit retention (98.96, 83.33 and 73.96 % respectively) and more mean number of fertile seeds per fruit (63.99, 70.82 and 28.14 respectively). Among male parents, Vasconcellea. cauliflora was found to be good combiner with all three female parents (Arka Prabhath, Arka Surya and Red Lady) which has resulted better fruit set (85.42, 85.42 and 76.04 % respectively), fruit retention (98.96, 19.79, 43.75 % respectively) and more mean number of fertile seeds per fruit (63.99, 11.00 and 4.50 respectively). Hence Arka Prabhath with V. cauliflora cross combination was found to be good for intergeneric hybridization which has resulted in more mean number of fertile seeds (heterotic combinations) which ultimately helps in generating more number of intergeneric population for screening of papaya ring spot virus (PRSV).