Cronje, R.B.Sivakumar, DhariniMostert, P.G. (Pierre)Korsten, Lise2009-03-162009-03-162009Cronje, RB, Sivakumar, D, Mostert, PG & Korsten, L 2009, ‘Effect of different preharvest treatment regimes on fruit quality of litchi cultivar 'Maritius'’, Journal of Plant Nutrition, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 19-29. [http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/01904167.asp]1532-408710.1080/01904160802530987http://hdl.handle.net/2263/9268Preharvest 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.enTaylor & Francis. This is an electronic version of an article published in Journal of Plant Nutrition, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 19-29. Journal of Plant Nutrition is available online at informaworldTM [http://www.informaworld.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=1532-4087&volume=32&issue=1&spage=19]. This article is embargoed by the publisher until Jan 2010.Preharvest treatmentsQuality attributesPotassiumCalciumNitrogen in litchi fruitLitchi -- South AfricaCrop improvement -- South AfricaFruit -- Quality -- South AfricaPostprint Article