Seeded and Seedless Fruits Growth of "Sah Keng" Litchi

Abstract

The growth of seeded and seedless fruits of 'Sah Keng' variety litchi was studied. The seed grew rapidly in the early stage, the normal and aborted seeds could not be macroscopirally distinguished untill about 30 days after full bloom. The volume and weight of normal seed increased continually and attended full size about 50 days after full bloom, however the aborted seed grew slowly and ceased about 40 days after full bloom. The growth of volume of seeded fruit, expressed as three components: length, diameter and thickness, was larger than seedless fruit. Increase in fruit length mainly occurred at early stage while that in diameter and thickness mainly occurred at later stage. Fruit weight increased rapidly in the later stage due to the growth of aril. The weight of seeded fruit was heavier than seedless fruit through growth period, but the aril weight between seeded and seedless fruit were not significantly different. It suggested that the seed size might he less important on the growth of and in litchi. The total soluble solids in fruit increased continually and reached the maximum at maturity. The total soluble solids of seeded fruit was higher than seedless fruit, but not significantly.