Author : L Tran Binh

Summary : Papaya is a fruit crop that is mainly grown in backyards in large plantations throughout the year in Vietnam. It is primarily used for domestic fresh consumption. Major constraints hampering papaya production in Vietnam include viral diseases, low fruit quality, and lack of postharvest technology. The application of biotechnology will provide tremendous opportunity for (1) screening virus-free materials; (2) developing transgenic materials with PRSV resistance and delayed ripening; and (3) the micropropagation of excellent materials for production. The manpower of Vietnam and research and development facilities including the Institute of Biotechnology (IBT), the South Fruit Research Institute (SOFRI) and the Institute of Fruit and Vegetable Research (IFVR), have jointly committed efforts for the regional papaya biotechnology project.