Pg. 18-23 Litchi Cultivar Evalutions: Progress and Implications

The choice of commercial cultivars in the South African litchi industry is currently limited to only two cultivars, namely HLH Mauritius and McLean’s Red. The importation and evaluation of cultivars is therefore a high priority for the litchi industry. A project was initiated where all locally available and recently imported cultivars are evaluated under a range of climatic conditions. It is known that successful cultivars in a given region frequently fail to perform equally well in other areas. Trial blocks in different climatic areas were therefore selected to represent the major litchi production areas in South Africa. Trees in the cultivar evaluation programme are now six years old and most cultivars produced their first measurable yield in 1997. Cultivars have been screened for a range of fruit and tree characteristics. This paper deals with the performance of cultivars in the different trial sites.

Summary:

• The South African litchi industry is currently dependent mainly on two cultivars, HLH Mauritius and McLean’s Red, limiting the harvesting season to about six to eight weeks.
• Since 1992, a cultivar evaluation programme was initiated to test a wider range of locally available and recently imported cultivars under different climatic conditions across major production areas in South Africa.
• The evaluation includes 22 cultivars and 9 selections, with trial sites at Nelspruit, Malelane, Burgershall, Levubu, and Westfalia Estate (Tzaneen), representing a variety of climates.
• Trees in the trials are around six years old and produced their first measurable yields in 1997, with performance assessed on yield, fruit size, ripening time, internal and external quality, and tree characteristics.
• Cultivars like HLH Mauritius continue to show good yields and fruit quality, while some new cultivars such as Wai Chee, Fay Zee Siu, and Third Month Red show promise for extending the harvest season and improving fruit characteristics.
• Performance varies significantly by location due to climatic differences; some cultivars performed poorly in hot, dry conditions (Malelane) or due to wind damage and theft (Burgershall).
• Cultivars such as Wai Chee, Kwai May Pink, Salathiel, and Haak Yip are noted for early fruiting (precocity), which could benefit production cycles.
• A long-term evaluation is needed before making final cultivar recommendations, as yearly variability and adaptability to specific microclimates are crucial.
• Propagation challenges exist due to limited vegetative material; methods like air-layering and grafting onto established rootstocks are recommended for rapid multiplication.
• The ongoing breeding programme aims to develop cultivars better adapted to local South African environments, addressing limited adaptability issues historically observed in imported cultivars.
• Industry stakeholders are encouraged to start planting promising cultivars in small numbers or top-working existing trees to evaluate their suitability in local microclimates without delay.
• Overall, expanding the cultivar range and improving propagation methods are essential for lengthening the season, improving yields, fruit quality, and industry sustainability.