Litchi Area Under Cultivation Litchi is commercially grown in Muzarffarpur and Darbhanga (Bihar); Thane (Maharashtra); Saharanpur and Dehra Dun (Uttar Pradesh); Hooghly (West Bengal); Tripura Assam and Punjab.
Botanical Name : Litchi chinensis Family : Sapindaceae Plant Discription : It is a vigorous evergreen perennial tree attaining a height of above 5m with a broad round topped crown and spreading branches and a dense light green shining foliage bears compound leaves. Flowers are borne in terminal panicles.
Centre of Origin : South China Pollination System : Cross pollinated Chromosome No. : 2n=28,30 Nutritional Levels : Moisture (%)
Protein (%)
Fat (%)
Mineral matter (%)
Fibre (%)
Carbohydrate (%)
Calories (K Cal)
84.1
1.1
0.2
0.5
0.5
13.6
61
Phosphorus (mg/100g)
Potassium (mg/100g)
Calcium (mg/100g)
Magnesium (mg/100g)
Iron (mg/100g)
Sodium (mg/100g)
Copper (mg/100g)
35
159
10
10
0.7
124.9
0.3
Manganese (mg/100g)
Zinc (mg/100g)
Sulphur (mg/100g)
Chlorine (mg/100g)
Molybdium (mg/100g)
Cromium (mg/100g)
0
0
19
3
0
0
Carotene (mg/100g)
Thiamine (mg/100g)
Riboflavin (mg/100g)
Niacin (mg/100g)
Vitamin C (mg/100g)
Choline (mg/100g)
Folic acid-Free (mg/100g)
0
0.02
0.06
0.4
31
0
0
Minerals
Vitamins
Folic acid- Total (mg/100g) 0
Litchi Diseases Fruit Decay (Alternaria sp.; Aspergillus sp.; Botryodiplodia sp.; Colletotrichum sp.) : Fruit decay has become a serious problem to litchi growers during storage and transit. Control :It can be achieved by reducing physical injuries to fruits and by prompt cooling and maintenance of the optimum temperature and relative humidity during storage and transport of fruits. Other decay control treatments under consideration include use of a 10-15% CO2-enriched atmosphere and biological control.
Litchi Disorders Pericarp Browning Browning of the pericarp occurs at ambient temperatures of 20-30째C within 24 hours of harvest. Water loss (desiccation) of litchi results in brown spots on the bright-red shell (pericarp). Under severe conditions or prolonged exposure, the spots enlarge and coalesce until the surface is completely brown. Packaging in polymeric films reduces water loss and browning severity.
Sun burning and Fruit-Cracking It is a serious problem on developing fruits in litchi. Split fruits are unmarketable and thus result in a great loss to the grower. High temperatures, low humidity and low soil moisture conditions during fruit development promote this disorder. Sharp fluctuations in the day and night temperature coupled with heavy irrigation after dry spells contribute towards fruit cracking. An adequate irrigation to the bearing trees during fruit growth and development is beneficial. Treatment with 2,4-D at 10 ppm, Gibberellic acid (GA) @20 ppm and Butric acid (BA) @0.4% proved effective in reducing fruit cracking.
Litchi Harvesting Litchi tree comes to bearing at the age of 3 to 4 years with proper care and management. The flowering starts from later part of January or early February and fruits ripen in April and May when the atmospheric temperature is high. Harvesting in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab is usually done in May and June, however in Bihar it is harvested in early May. Maturity of the fruits is indicated by the red colour with a fruit size of minimum 25mm diameter. Besides colour the maturity of the fruit is indicated when tubercles become somewhat flattened and the shells become smooth. Litchi fruits should be harvested fully-ripe because they do not continue to ripen after harvest. The fruits for local market should be harvested at the full ripe stage as indicated by the attractive skin colour while for distant market the fruit is harvested slightly early, when they have just started turning reddish or pinkish. Litchi fruits, like other fruits, are not harvested individually, but they are harvested in bunches along with a portion of the branch and a few leaves as it prolongs the storage life of fruits. If the individual fruit is harvested, the skin at the stem end is ruptured and the fruit rots quickly. Dipping of fruits in Etherel at 250 ppm markedly improves the fruit colour and fruit ripening is accelerated by 24 to 36 hours.
Yield A full-grown litchi tree on an average bears about 80-150 kg of fruits/tree/year, depending on cultivar grown agro-climatic conditions and orchard management.
Litchi Intercultural Operations Weed Control Weeds are controlled mainly by hand weeding or hoeing, however this practice is very laborious and expensive. Chemical control of weeds by spraying Diuron @ 5 kg a.i. /ha and Atrazine @ 5 kg a.i./ha are found satisfactory for the control of weeds in both young and bearing litchi plantations. As these are pre-emergence herbicides, which inhibit weed growth for 6 or more weeks, therefore, the spray should be repeated after 2 months of previous application. The use of mulch also controls the growth of weeds. Black polyethylene mulch is more superior in controlling weeds than the organic mulch.
Tillage Maintenance of good sanitary conditions is a must for keeping an orchard in healthy and disease-free condition. As litchi is a shallow rooted tree with most of its feeding roots close to the surface, only shallow tillage is recommended. The shallow tillage operations should be limited to upper 5-7 cm soil layers. If deep tillage is necessary then it is carried out from November to February, as the trees are least active during this period.
Intercropping The litchi is a slow-growing tree and takes at least six years to come to flowering and fruiting. Intercrop like legumes in pre-bearing stage of trees not only provide more income but also improve health of the trees. The choice of intercrop depends upon the climate and soil and marketing facilities. Vegetables or leguminous crops like pulses, berseem, etc. can be successfully grown during the initial stages. Some quick-growing fruit plants such as drumstick, papaya, and banana can also be grown in the early years of a litchi plantation. Papaya and banana are more suitable due to their upright growth and due to short productive life of 2-3 years. While growing intercrop, care should be taken to ensure that the intercrop is not grown at the cost of the litchi plants. The rows of intercrop should be kept away from the litchi tree.
Training and Pruning Training of young litchi plants is done to establish a good framework. Pruning is usually done to remove the dead or diseased branches and damaged shoots. Since litchi flowers are borne mostly on current year's growth, the removal of the ends of the fruiting branches promotes new shoots and flowering next year. Therefore while harvesting, a portion of the twig is cut off along with the fruits. When the trees become too old and produce fruits of small size, heavy pruning improves the yield and quality of fruits by promoting new shoot growth.
Litchi Irrigation Litchi can grow without irrigation in areas with rainfall (>125 cm) well distributed throughout the year. Frequent irrigation is necessary during early plant growth. Irrigation is withheld four months prior to flowering. Critical period for irrigation is from January end to the beginning of monsoon since it is the period of fruit development. During this period if the litchi orchard is not frequently irrigated, there may be a severe fruit drop and fruit skin cracking. Irrigation of the young trees should be done by the basin system. As the tree grows, the basin should be gradually enlarged. The full-grown trees are irrigated by flooding or by furrow irrigation depending on the availability and source of water.
Litchi Manuring & Fertilization The nutrient requirements of litchi are very high. Apart from the requirement of N, P and K, which contributes, to profuse vegetative growth and flower initiation, micronutrients such as Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Boron and Copper play an important role in flowering and fruiting. In India litchi is grown mostly in the fertile belt and hence very little or no fertilizer is given. However, soil analysis should be done to determine the exact doses of fertilizer. Recommended doses of fertilizers for getting optimum yield
Quantity/tree(kg)
Manure /Fertilizer
Planting Year Annual Increase For Mature Trees FYM
10-20
4.0
60.0
Ammonium Sulphate
0.2
0.2
2.2
Superphosphate
0.2
0.1
1.2
Potassium Sulphate
0.2
0.1
1.2
The farmyard manure, Superphosphate and Muriate of Potash should be applied in September. Nitrogenous fertilizer is given in two split doses one in mid-February and second after harvesting of fruits.
Litchi Pests Eriophyid Mite (Aceria litchi) : Both nymphs and adults infest leaves. The adult mites are small white coloured insects which live on the under surface of the leaves. The mites puncture and lacerate the tissues of the leaf and suck the cell sap. They attack the young leaves causing hairy, blister-like galls on the upperside of the leaves. The leaves become thickened, wrinkled and distorted. The leaves may ultimately fall off. The mites also attack and cause malformation of inflorescence. The attack is much severe on 'Bombai', 'China' and 'Kasba' varieties. Control : Pruning and destroying the infested plant parts helps to check the mite population. Sprays of insecticides like Kelthane (0.12%) or Dimethoate (1ml/litre) is recommended for effective control of mites.
Bark eating caterpillar (Indarbela quadrinotata; Indarbela tetraonis) : The caterpillars feed on the bark of the tree during night. They bore inside the trunk or main stems and eat through the bark into the wood. The affected portion is covered with large silken webs. In case of severe infestation, sap movement is affected due to which the tree fails to flower. Control : A small metal wire is inserted into the hole to kill the caterpillar. The holes are then plugged with cotton wool soaked in chloroform, formalin or petrol and sealed with mud.
Litchi Post Harvest Technology Grading Before packing, the damaged, sunburnt and cracked fruits should be sorted out and graded properly according to their size. There should be only fruits of one grade in a box. Fruits of one variety should be packed in separate boxes and it is better if the box or container is tagged for variety name and grade.
Packaging After harvesting, fruit should be packed as quickly as possible, as their quality deteriorates markedly, if they are exposed to sun even for a few hours. For domestic markets litchi is usually packed in small bamboo baskets or wooden crates. These are lined with litchi leaves or other soft packing material as paper shavings, wood-wool, etc. Proper packing of fruits is important in maintaining freshness and quality and preventing fruit decay during transit for marketing to distant places. A good box for packing fruits should be light in weight, shallow and rigid enough to protect the fruits. It should have few holes for ventilation and rope handles on either side for lifting the box. Fruits are packed in clusters along with few leaves.
Storage Litchi fruit cannot be kept for more than a few days after harvest, at room temperature. If marketing is delayed fruits should be kept in cold storage where they can be stored in good condition for 3-4 weeks. Fruits could be stored at 2째C in perforated polythene bags for 5 weeks without much spoilage. For short-term storage less than two weeks, a temperature of 7째C is satisfactory. A relative humidity should be kept at 90-95% throughout storage and transport. Controlled atmosphere storage (3-5% O2 and 3-5% CO2) reduces skin browning and slows down the losses of ascorbic acid, acidity, and soluble solids. Exposure to oxygen levels below 1% and/or carbon dioxide levels above 15% may induce off-flavors and dull gray appearance of the pulp.
Cool Chain Cool chain is essential during the transport of export quality commodity all the way from the farm to the customer. This helps in maintaining the temperature inside the box at the same low level as in the cold storage. The various stages of the cool chain are: 1. Coldstore at the farm. 2. Refrigerated truck from farm to the airport 3. Coldstore at the airport. 4. Building up of the pallet in a coldstore at the airport. 5. Loading the aircrafts directly from the coldstore in a short time. 6. Cargo aircraft maintains coldstore temperature in hold. 7. Off loading direct into a coldstore in the receiving country. 8. Refrigerated truck to the customers.
Litchi Planting Land Preparation Before planting, the land is thoroughly ploughed and leveled. Young litchi plants are susceptible to hot winds and cold waves. Therefore suitable wind break trees like silver oak, sesbania, drumstick, etc. should be planted along the boundary of litchi plantation. Young plants can also be covered with thatch by the end of November to protect them from frost injury.
Season of Planting Planting is normally done during August-September after the monsoon has set in. Water is applied immediately after planting. Planting is not advisable when the weather is too dry or too wet.
Spacing Litchi trees are usually planted in a square system at 8 x 8 m where they need protection either from frost or from the desiccating winds. But in region where the spread of litchi tree is large, it is advisable to space the plants preferably 10 m apart.
Pit Digging 3
Pits of size 1m are dug at the desired points a few weeks before planting. These are then refilled with top-soil mixed with FYM (20-25 kg), bone-meal (2 kg) and sulphate of potash (400 g). After refilling the pits are immediately watered to set this mixture and remove the air gaps.
Method of Planting Only 6 to 9 months old healthy plants with fine roots should be selected for planting. The plants are planted by making a small hole in the centre of the pit sufficient to accommodate the soil ball. It is advisable that the new plants should be inoculated with mycorrhiza and after planting the land should not be allowed to dry completely. The soil around the plant is pressed gently. Planting should be immediately followed by irrigation. In case of high wind velocity the plants are tied to the stake.
Litchi Propagation Although litchi can be propagated asexually by various ways the most common and easiest method adopted all over the world is air-layering. Stooling method of propagation is becoming popular due to higher success rate as compared to air layering.
Air-layering Air-layering or 'gootee' is widely accepted method of propagation in India. In this method a healthy and vigorous, upright twig of about one year old and 2.5 to 4 cm in diameter is selected. A circular strip of bark about 2 cm wide just below a bud is completely removed from the selected twig. Care should be taken to remove all the cambium tissue surrounding the white central wood while removing the bark. Moist sphagnum moss is packed around this portion and tied with polyethylene sheet, which prevents the loss of moisture. In about 6 weeks, when the roots are visible through the polythene wrap, the rooted branch is detached from the parent plant and potted in the nursery. Top of the branch is cut back to maintain a proper ratio of leaves: roots.
Stooling It involves cutting a 2.5 years old litchi plant in the month of February at 25cm from the ground level. After a month 6-8 side shoots appear. Except one shoot all the other shoots are selected for stooling in the month of June. A ring of bark 3cm wide, 20cm from the tip of the shoots is removed. A paste of IBA (25mg) and Lanolin (10g) is applied to the ringed area. Ten days later, soil is mounded around the base of the newly developed shoots so as to cover 10-15 cm of the stem above the ring to encourage adventitious roots. This causes the shoots to root profusely in 2 months. The rooted shoots are separated from the mother plant in the month of September and immediately planted in nursery beds or pots. It is reported that the transplanted shoots have a survival rate of 81-82% as compared with 40%-50% in air-layers.
Litchi Soil & Climate Soil The litchi can grow in a variety of soil types particularly in fairly deep, well drained loam rich in organic matter. A sandy loam or clayey loam with pH ranging between 5.5 and 7 with sufficient soil depth is an ideal soil for litchi cultivation. Water-table should be atleast 1.5 to 2 m deep.
Climate 0
In litchi-growing tracts of India, the maximum temperature during flowering varies from 21 C in February to about 38 C in June. Winter frost and dry heat in summer considerably damage the growth of the plants. It causes fruit cracking and subsequently damages the pulp. Humidity is another important factor for the successful cultivation of litchi. Although it can grow up to an altitude of 800 m above the sea level, the best growth and yield is obtained at lower elevations. Well spread rainfall or adequate supply of irrigation water is essential for litchi cultivation. A constant rainfall at the time of flowering however interferes with pollination.
Litchi Varieties Shahi : This is one of the commercial cultivar cultivated for table purpose in Muzaffarpur area of Bihar, which matures, in the third week of May. Fruits are oval and oblong conical in shape and crimson-red tubercles appear on uranium-green background at maturity. It is heavy bearing variety with large fruits and average yield of 90-100kg/tree.
Swarna Roopa : It is a selection in litchi identified and released by CHES, Ranchi with high T.S.S and resistant to fruit cracking. This is the first variety developed in India.
China : It is commercially cultivated for table purpose in Muzaffarpur area of Bihar. It is a semi-dwarf variety with fruits ripening from the third week of May. Average yield is 80-100 kg/tree. Fruits are mediumlarge, globose, with a mixture of red and orange colour.
Kasba : It is mostly grown in eastern part of Bihar. Fruits medium-large, heart-shaped with red tubercles on reddish background at maturity. It ripens during the first week of June. Average yield is 80/100 kg/tree.
Elachi : The tree is moderately vigorous, attaining an average height of 5 to 6 m and spread of 6-7 m. Fruits are conical and orange-red in colour. The variety is cultivated for table purpose with an average yield of 50-60 kg/tree.
Purbi : It is mostly grown for table purpose in eastern part of Bihar. Fruits are medium-large, oblong-conical in shape, which ripen at the end of May or first week of June. At maturity red tubercles appear on pinkish brown background. The average yield is 90-100 kg/tree.
Early Seedless (Syn. Early Bedana) : It is the earliest variety and is mainly grown for table purpose and processing in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. It is a medium to poor-yielding variety but bears regularly. The yield of fruit varies from 50-60 kg/tree. Fruits are small to medium in size, heart to oval in shape with carmine red tubercles at maturity. Pulp is creamy white with T.S.S. 19.8%. Overall fruit quality is good.
Rose Scented : It is commercially cultivated for table purpose in Muzaffarpur area of Bihar. Besides high fruit quality, it is famous for distinct rose aroma and hence called Rose Scented. It is a mid-season variety that starts ripening in the first week of June. Average yield is around 80-90 kg/tree. Fruits are medium to large in shape mostly oval or heart shaped and deep rose pink in colour. Pulp greyish white soft moderately juicy with T.S.S. 20%. The average yield varies between 80-90kg/tree.
Bombai : This is an important commercial variety cultivated for table purpose in West Bengal. It ripens during first to second week of May. The trees are vigorous and attain an average height of 6.7 m and spread 78 m. Average yield is 80-90 kg/tree. Fruits are large in size, mostly obliquely heart-shaped colour at maturity with carmine red tubercles on uranium-green background. In this variety each developed fruit has another tiny under-developed fruit attached to the fruit stalk. Pulp is greyish-white, soft juicy with T.S.S. 17%.
Calcutta (Syn. Kalkattia) : It is the best of all the varieties grown in northern parts of India for table purpose. It can be successfully cultivated even in hotter areas provided there is protection from strong hot winds and provision for plenty of water for irrigation. The average yield is 80-100 kg/tree. It is a late season variety and the fruits ripen in the last week of June. Trees of this variety attain an average height of 4m and spread of 6 m. Fruits are large in size, oblong, with tyrian rose colour and dark tubercles at maturity. Pulp is dirty creamy white, soft, juicy, very sweet with T.S.S. 18.17%.
Late Seedless (Syn. Late Bedana) : This variety is not completely devoid of seed but it is rather shrivelled and small in size. It can be successfully cultivated even in hotter areas provided there is protection from strong hot winds and provision for plenty of water for irrigation. The trees of this variety are very vigorous and attain an average height of 5.5 m and spread of 7.0m. It is a late season variety and fruits usually ripen in the third week of June, The average yield is 80-100 kg/ tree. Fruits are medium to large in size, conical in shape, colour at maturity vermilion to carmine with dark-blackish brown tubercles. Pulp is creamy- white, soft, juicy with T.S.S. 20% Overall quality is very good. It is cultivated for table and processing purpose.
Dehra Dun : This variety is mainly grown for table purpose in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. In Bihar, it is cultivated under the name of 'Dehra-Rose'. It is a late-season variety and fruits start ripening in third week of June. Fruit yield is 80-90 kg/tree. Trees are medium in size attaining a height of 5 m and spread of 7 m. Fruits are medium in size, obliquely heart-shaped to conical, colour at maturity bright rose pink. Pulp is greyish-white, soft moderately juicy with T.S.S. 17%. This variety is highly susceptible to sunburn and cracking.
Gulabi (Syn. Sre no.4) : This is another important variety cultivated for table purpose in north India. It is a late-season variety and fruit ripens in fourth week of June. It bears profusely and regularly with 90-100 kg fruits/tree. Trees attain a height of 6.0 m and spread of 7.0 m. Fruits are medium in size, oblong-oval heart-shaped, mandarin red tubercles appear on shrimp red to carmine red background at maturity. Pulp is greyish white, firm sweet with T.S.S. 18.2%.
Late Large Red (Syn. Muzaffarpur) : It is one of the important litchi varieties mainly grown in Bihar and its adjacent states. This variety bears profusely every year with an average yield of 80-100 kg/tree. Fruits are large in size, oval or oblongconical with crimson red tubercles. Pulp greyish white. Soft moderately juicy with T. S. S. 20.3%.
Exotic Varieties China 'No Mai Tsze', 'Kwa Iuk' , 'Kwai mi' , 'Hsiang li', 'Hsi Chio tsu', 'Hak ip', 'Feitsu hsiao', 'Sheung shu wai', 'Ch'u ma lsu', 'Ta tsao', 'Huai chih', 'San yueh hung', 'Pai la li chih', 'Shan chi'.
Germany Mauritius, Maclean, Brewster, Haak Yip.