Effect of different preharvest treatment regimes on fruit quality of litchi cultivar 'Maritius'

Abstract

Preharvest treatments were tested with commercial practice to improve yield, fruit size, weight, and quality attributes of litchi cv. 'Maritius'. Treatment regimes included commercial control: TC = control [30% nitrogen (N) after harvest and 50% at flowering, 20% at fruit set; Potassium (K) 40% in March, 60% at flowering; Lime (CaSO4) in March, zinc (Zn), boron (B), and copper (Cu) sprays at flowering]; T1 = same as TC, but an additional application of low biuret (LB) urea (1%), cytokinin (150 mL/100 L water), (2%) potassium nitrate (KNO3) applications; T2 = same as T1 + auxin, (40 ppm); T3 = same as T2, however, auxin was replaced with 2% KNO3 sprays; T4 = same as T2, however, auxin and KNO3 replaced by girdling; T5 = TC + T1 + Maxim® + 2% KNO3 twice + girdling + 2% calcium chloride (CaCl2) foliar spray twice. Calcium chloride increased the fruit calcium (Ca), firmness, and skin color. Some of the positive correlations were leaf potassium (K) and fruit K; fruit K and soluble solid concentrations (SSC); skin Ca and color value “a”. Potassium nitrate and CaCl2 affected the K/Ca ratio in the fruit.