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.
