Manuel Rodríguez, Sofia López and Alexei Petrov

The influence of soil zinc (Zn) and boron (B) enrichment on the phytochemical profile and yield of Papaya (cv. Red Lady) was investigated through field-based research. Zinc and boron are essential micronutrients that significantly impact plant growth, development, and secondary metabolite production. This study evaluated the effect of different concentrations of Zn and B on the morphological traits, biochemical content, and yield of Papaya. The experimental setup involved varying soil treatments with Zn and B, arranged in a randomized block design with three replications per treatment. The results demonstrated that Zn and B enrichment significantly improved growth parameters such as plant height, stem girth, and leaf area compared to the control. Furthermore, fruit yield and quality, including sugar content and antioxidant activity, showed significant improvements under nutrient-enriched treatments. Phytochemical analysis revealed higher concentrations of flavonoids, phenolics, and ascorbic acid in fruits grown under Zn and B treatments. These findings highlight the synergistic effect of Zn and B in enhancing the nutritional quality and yield of Papaya, emphasizing the importance of micronutrient management in papaya cultivation. The results suggest that optimal soil Zn and B levels can be incorporated into nutrient management practices to improve papaya productivity and quality in subtropical regions.

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