The effect of fruiting status on nutrient composition of litchi (Litchi chinensisSonn.) during the flowering and fruiting season

Abstract

SummaryThe pattern of leaf composition was investigated in three litchi orchards (cvs Bengal and Tai So) in subtropical Australia (Lat 27°S). Leaves were sampled from fruiting and non-fruiting branches from flowering to fruit harvest. The response to fruiting varied with the nutrient and the orchard. The major effect of fruiting was to reduce leaf K in two of the orchards. Leaf N, P, Zn and Na were lower in fruiting branches in a third of the orchards, while leaf Ca, Mg, Mn and B levels were higher. The levels of these nutrients in the other two orchards, and those of Cu and Fe, were not significantly affected by fruiting status. Strong seasonal effects from flowering to harvest on the leaf contents of most nutrients followed the typical pattern as leaves aged. Most nutrients were more stable during flowering to just after fruit set. The levels of most nutrients were similar in both leaf and fruit. The major exceptions were K which was about twice as high in the fruit and B which was five times higher in ...