PAID ACCESS | Published on : 17-Dec-2024 | Pages: 170-174 |
Carica papaya L. is a major tropical fruit crop of global economic importance, distinguished by its unique trioecious sexual system comprising male, female, and hermaphrodite plants. Floral development and sex differentiation in papaya directly influence fruit set, yield stability, and breeding efficiency. An in-depth understanding of floral organogenesis, genetic regulation of sex expression, and their manipulation is therefore critical for papaya improvement. This review synthesizes current knowledge on floral morphology, ontogeny, molecular genetics, hormonal regulation, and developmental plasticity of papaya flowers, with special emphasis on their implications for breeding and hybrid seed production. Advances in molecular markers, sex chromosome biology, and modern breeding approaches are discussed in the context of achieving stable hermaphroditism and improved cultivar performance.
Carica papaya, floral development, sex determination, trioecy, breeding, molecular genetics
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