- R B Cronje1 and P G Mostert2
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1Agricultural Research Council-Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops, Private Bag Xl 1208, Nelspruit 1200,
2Mostert Consulting Services, PO Box 3799, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa - 2009
In 2005 an orchard management program, consisting of irrigation, soil and foliar applications of fertilizers and plant growth regulators, as well as horticultural techniques like pruning and girdling to promote sustainable litchi
production, was started. Five management programs were developed and compared with one another according
to their effects on yield and fruit size.
In the four years of data collection since 2005 similar results were achieved regarding tree phenology, yield and fruit size. The plant growth regulator Maxim® applied at the 3 g fruitlet stage and girdling at the 2 g fruitlet stage consistently increased fruit size. It was found that optimal fertilization and irrigation as well as the use of Ethapon® are the main contributors to consistent and good cropping. Foliar application of fertilizer could not increase
yields above these general management practises. Results for the four seasons are discussed and a summary as well as conclusions are given.