Standardization of harvesting methods in litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) cv. Bombai

Abstract

Standardization of harvesting methods with different intensity of pruning (non removal of fruiting branch i.e. removal of fruits from the branch only; harvesting of fruits along with the fruiting branch from the base; pruning of 5, 10, 15 and 20 cm branches along with fruiting branch) during harvesting and their effect on flowering and fruiting was studied at the farmer's field, Beniagram, New Farakka, Murshidabad, West Bengal during 2009. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with four replications on 25 years old plant at spacing of 10 m x 10 m. Pruning of 10 cm branches produced the maximum number of primary (1.94) and secondary rachis (19.58) per panicle with more number of hermaphrodite flowers (390.86) and the lowest sex ratio (2.81, M/F) whereas maximum number of flowers (1499.38) per panicle was noted due to 15 cm pruning. Initial (61.80 fruits/panicle) as well as final (20.47 fruits/panicle) fruit set per panicle was found maximum by pruning of 10 cm branches followed by 15 cm branches with 59.73 and 17.51 fruits/panicle, respectively. Pruning of 20 cm branches increased fruit weight (22.06 g), pulp weight (15.96 g) and size (3.94 x 3.53 cm) of fruit. Higher cumulative yield per plant by pruning of 10 cm (91.59 kg) and 15 cm (85.86 kg) branches was noticed as compared non removal of fruiting branch (64.06). From the investigation it was suggested that moderate pruning of 10 to 15 cm branches during harvesting is beneficial to obtain higher yield with quality fruits.