Sex determination in papaya: Current status and perspectives

Area of Science:

• Plant genetics
• Agricultural science

Background:

• Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is economically important, but its cultivation faces challenges like pests and complex sex determination.
• Papaya exhibits three sex forms (male, female, hermaphrodite), impacting fruit production, shape, and yield.
• Consumer preference favors hermaphrodite fruits, while male plants offer little commercial value.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent research on papaya sex determination.
• To discuss reported genes, biology, and molecular marker-based sexing approaches for papaya.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing scientific literature on papaya sex determination.
• Analysis of genetic and epigenetic factors influencing sex expression.
• Evaluation of molecular markers for papaya sexing.

Main Results:

• Sex determination in papaya is complex, influenced by chromosomes (XY, XX, XYh) and potentially environmental/hormonal factors.
• While genes related to sex have been identified, they are not yet conclusive.
• Molecular markers offer promising advantages for papaya sex identification.

Conclusions:

• Understanding papaya sex determination is crucial for improving fruit production and quality.
• Further research into the genetic and epigenetic basis of sex is needed.
• Molecular markers provide a valuable tool for sexing papaya plants, aiding commercial cultivation.