Abstract
ABSTRACT Fruit thinning is the removal of fruitlets in heavy fruit set situations and aims to increase salable fruit sizes, avoid branch breakdown, reduce harvesting costs, and promote a balance between the vegetative and reproductive growth of plants. Furthermore, this procedure may improve coloring, increase soluble solids, and maintain plant vigor. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fruit thinning in five varieties of lychee (Bengal, American, Mauritius, Sweet Cliff, and WB4), in the conditions of Jaboticabal - São Paulo state (Brazil). The experimental design was a completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments and seven replications of three plants each. Treatments consisted of fruit thinning intensities characterized by the number of fruit left on terminal branch panicles, being T1: 3 fruits/branch; T2: 6 fruits /branch; T3: 9 fruit/ branch; T4: 12 fruits/branch; T5: no thinning (control plot). Evaluations were made through a colorimetric assay on ripe fruits, besides a physical and chemical analysis for each variety. The treatments affected the response of varieties on each studied variable. The variety “Mauritius” showed interesting physical and chemical characteristics for the consumer market.
Highlights
Lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn) belongs to the Sapindaceae family and originates from China, being grown worldwide; the main producers are China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, and Bangladesh (SILVA et al, 2010b)
The experiment was conducted at the active germplasm bank for fruit species of the College of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences – campus in Jaboticabal, São Paulo State University (UNESP)
Fruits with the lowest hue angles belonged to the varieties „Americana‟, „WB4‟, and „Sweet Cliff‟; while for lightness, the highest values were found only for „Americana‟, reason why it is the least dark in color (Table 1), which is seen regardless of treatment (Figure 1)
Summary
Lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn) belongs to the Sapindaceae family and originates from China, being grown worldwide; the main producers are China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, and Bangladesh (SILVA et al, 2010b). Between 2006 and 2012, the average of marketed fruits by CEAGESP was around 1900 tons. This is a consequence of an increase in the traditional areas and appearance of new producers (SILVA et al, 2010b). In 2013, only 975 kg were commercialized at CEAGESP. This fall in production might have been related to Aceria litchii mite outbreak occurred in lychee plantations; this pest has harmed crops around the country because it reduces leaf functionality, plant development, and fruit appearance
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