Pg. 50 Promising Phase I Selections in the Litchi Breeding Programme

Evaluation of Phase I seedlings in the litchi breeding programme was carried out in orchards planted in 1990/91 at Friedenheim Experimental Farm Nelspruit. These seedlings (2 000) are the progeny of open-pollinated HLH Mauritius, Brewster and Fay Zee Siu trees. During the past season 50 seedlings produced fruit and therefore evaluation on various characteristics could be done. The seedlings were evaluated for exterior and interior characteristics, harvesting time, yield, morphological properties and interior quality.

Summary:

• Evaluation was conducted on Phase I litchi seedlings planted in 1990-91 at Friedenheim Experimental Farm, Nelspruit, from open-pollinated HLH Mauritius, Brewster, and Fay Zee Siu trees.
• 50 seedlings produced fruit allowing assessment of exterior, interior characteristics, harvesting time, yield, morphology, and quality.
• Ripening times varied widely from very early to very late relative to HLH Mauritius.
• Considerable variation was seen in fruit size, shape, color, taste, growth patterns, and leaf shapes among seedlings.
• Early maturing promising seedlings like R1G22, U4S28, and U4116 ripened 2-3 weeks before HLH Mauritius. R1G22 scored best with good color, taste, and size.
• Late ripening seedling A25 Burgershall harvested 6 weeks after HLH Mauritius showed resemblance in size and shape but lower quality.
• Seedlings with high yield (e.g., U4T24 with 400 fruit, U4T26 with 140 fruit) had poor fruit quality (size, color, taste).
• Mid-season seedlings promising for quality include U4E24, R1020, U4E27, R1D10, U4D24, and R1H16.
• Fruit size ranged from 22 mm to 36 mm; some seedlings met 1995 export standards (>30 mm).
• Seedlings R1A24 and R1020 had highest acid to total soluble solids ratio indicating good fruit quality.
• There is considerable genetic diversity among seedlings, and future breeding will use cultivars other than HLH Mauritius as female parents.
• In 1996, 1857 new seedlings were planted focusing on controlled cross-breeding; additional seeds planted for establishment at Malelane and Burgershall experimental farms.
• Overall breeding progress is satisfactory, aiming to improve selections for quality, yield, and diverse cultivars.