LAUSR

Abstract Tropical fruit crops often respond differently to limiting growth conditions under varying extremes of environmental conditions. Field experiments conducted in Abeokuta, Nigeria evaluated the influence of seasonal variations on two pawpaw (Carica papaya L.) varieties (‘Sunrise solo’ and ‘Homestead selection’) in cropping mixture with cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) var. ‘Market-more’ (pawpaw-cucumber mixed or planted sole) across three seasons. Repeated-measures analysis (RM), Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Two-Way analysis of variance were used for the evaluation of the 3 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment arranged in randomized complete block design replicated thrice. The results showed that juvenile pawpaw in year-two environmental conditions of moderate precipitation and higher temperature, and mature pawpaw in year-three of higher precipitation and moderate temperature had improved vegetative growth performances, yet in reproductive growth pawpaw in year-two through interplay of precipitation and lower temperature obtained more flowers, higher fruit setting rate and heavier fruit yield than those in years-one or –three. Taller plant with thicker girth and wider canopy was observed for juvenile homestead compared to sunrise; but no difference at mature pawpaw stage. Both RM and PCA analysis showed that most times performances of juvenile pawpaw had no influence on mature pawpaw. In reproductive growth, sunrise had more flowers, higher fruit setting rate and heavier fruit yield compared to homestead. Except in leaf area responses at juvenile stage, sole pawpaw had taller plants, thicker girth and wider canopy compared to mixed pawpaw, but no significant difference among crop mixtures at mature pawpaw stage. Cucumber intercrop significantly improved flowering responses but caused retardation to fruit yield. Although >1.0 LER indicated improved productivity of the mixtures compared to sole, there was no significant difference among the seasonal LERs (1.41, 1.44 and 1.47), and the pawpaw varieties (1.36 and 1.51).