Influence of Effective Microorganisms on Growth and Fruit
Characteristics of Papaya in Egypt
I.M. Desoky1, M. Riad2 and E.L. Belatus3
Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain shams University1
Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation2 and
Horticulture Research Institute, ARC, MALR3
Abstract: The study was conducted at the EM experimental plot “Groppir Fern” to
investigate the effect, rate and application method of EM1 as plant and soil weekly
application (EMPS) and EM compost as monthly application (EMC) on growth,
yield and fruit quality of papaya plants in Egypt. Papaya plants were planted eight
months before starting the experiment in clay loamy soil. Monthly measurements
were collected concerning plant vegetative growth, fruit flesh, total soluble solids
(TSS) and acidity in pulp juice.
The EM1 results showed that the plants became more vigorous. No significant
differences were found when using the higher tested rate of chemical fertilizers
(TRCF) (27.7 cm, 4.1 cm) for height and girth respectively, together with reducing
the (TRCF) to 50% and the (EMC) was doubled (28.8 cm 4.7 cm). While using EM1
only, comparable results (20.9 cm, 4.5 cm) were obtained. A similar trend was also
obtained concerning the number of fruits per plant. An increase in yield per plant
was also observed when using EM1 plus (TRCF) (95.5 kg/plant), or when reducing
the (TRCF) to 50%, and the (EMC) was doubled (97.52 kg/: plant). While using
EM1 (EMPS + EMC) only 87.9 kg/ plant) was obtained which was significant within
the same rank.
Generally, EM resulted in an improvement in fruit quality. The higher total soluble
solids and acid content in fruits was obtained when the plants received the EM1
alone without any chemical fertilizers (14,5%, 0.221%) respectively for TSS and
acidity, on the other hand, using (TRCF) without EM gave significantly lower TSS,
acidity values (11,25%, 0.151%).
More extended studies are now conducted to validate the effect of EM1 on the
papaya plants