Revista Brasileira de Agricultura Irrigada v.14, nº.3, p. 4018 - 4028, 2020 ISSN 1982-7679 (On-line) Fortaleza, CE, INOVAGRI – http://www.inovagri.org.br DOI: 10.7127/rbai.v14n101118 Protocolo 1118.20 – 18/02/2020 Aprovado em 29/10/2020 QUALITY OF 'TAINUNG NO. 1' PAPAYA IN FUNCTION OF PRODUCTION TIMES AND IRRIGATION MANAGEMENTS Maristella Martineli 1 , Jenilson Ferreira da Silva 2 , André Igor Santos Carvalho 2 , Ariane Castricini 3 , Polyanna Mara de Oliveira 4 e Eugênio Ferreira Coelho 5 ABSTRACT This study evaluates the quality of 'Tainung no. 1' papaya cultivated by partial rootzone drying (PRD) at summer and winter seasons, in Mocambinho, Jaíba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The ten treatments resulted from the combination of four PRD forms and one with full irrigation (FI), without water deficit, during two production seasons. The experiments were set up in an entirely randomized. The treatments using PRD were based on the reduction of the calculated irrigation water level by 50%, alternating the side of the irrigated row with only one lateral line irrigation per row. The alternating frequencies (AF - changing of sides) were 7, 14 and 21 days and a fixed side without alternation. The FI was composed per two lateral lines per row of plants. The quality and sensorial evaluations were performed on ripe fruits (totally yellow peel). Papayas produced in summer were larger, firmer, with an orange and more acidic pulp. Irrigation managements interfered with the purchase intention and the sensorial attributes of fruits produced in summer and winter. Consumers liked the overall appearance and the color of papaya pulp produced in the summer, with the exception of PRD AF 7 days. The acceptance of texture and flavor varied depending on irrigation management. Keywords: Carica papaya L., water deficit, partial rootzone drying, postharvest. 1 Doutora em Ciência de Alimentos, Professora, Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Av. Reinaldo Viana, 2630, CEP: 39448-524, Janaúba - MG, Brasil. E-mail: maristella.martineli@unimontes.br 2 Engenheiro Agrônomo, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Av. Reinaldo Viana, 2630, CEP: 39.448-524, Janaúba - MG, Brasil. E-mails: ferreira.jenilson@yahoo.com.br; andreigorsc@hotmail.com 3 Doutora em Fitotecnia - Fisiologia da Produção, Pesquisadora, Epamig Norte, Rodovia MGT 122, Km 155, CP 12, CEP: 39525-000, Nova Porteirinha - MG, Brasil. E-mail: ariane@epamig.br 4 Doutora em Irrigação e Drenagem, Pesquisadora, Epamig Norte, Rodovia MGT 122, Km 155, CP 12, CEP: 39525-000, Nova Porteirinha - MG, Brasil. E-mail: polyanna.mara@epamig.br 5 Doutor em Engenharia de Irrigação, Pesquisador, Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura, Rua Embrapa SN, Bairro Chapadinha,CP 007, CEP: 44380-000, Cruz das Almas, BA, Brasil. E-mail: eugenio.coelho@embrapa.br