Production of “Mel” Papaya Seedlings under the Application of Different Irrigation Depths

Water management is considered one of the most prevalent factors in the production of quality seedlings in commercial crops. Despite the benefits provided, the technique is still little used by irrigating users, who, for the most part, do not adopt any criteria for water use. Thus, aiming at the rational use of water resources and increasing the productive potential of seedlings, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different irrigation depths on the production of Formosa “Mel” papaya seedlings (Carica papaya L.). The experiment took place in a greenhouse, located at the Federal Institute of Espirito Santo, Campus Itapina, in Colatina, ES. The treatments consisted of six irrigation depths corresponding to 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 mm·day−1 adjusted in a completely randomized design, with 25 plants per treatment. The variables evaluated were: plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, dry mass of the aerial part, dry mass of the root system, total dry mass and Dickson’s Quality index, 58 days after sowing in all experimental plots. At the end of the experiment, it was found that the 7.36 mm·d−1 irrigation depth provided better quality, in addition to lower water consumption, being the most recommended for the production of Formosa “Mel” papaya seedlings.