Pg. 1-4 Report on the Chinese Litchi Industry

The litchi originates from China where it has a cultivation history of more than 2000 years. Of all litchi producing countries, China certainly ranks first in the world in terms of planting area, cultivars and total production. The major production regions are the Guangdong, Guangxi, and Fujian provinces. The total production area is over 530,000 ha and an output of 950,000 tons was achieved during the 1999 season. Before 1990, the orchards were generally set up and managed by small-holders, with acreages of less than half a hectare each. However, during the 1990’s, corporations started to invest in bigger litchi plantations. Air layering and grafting are the main propagation methods and the trees were previously planted at wide spacings of about 150 trees per ha. From the 1980’s, plantings of 330-500 trees per ha were established, while small plantings of extra dense orchards containing 1500 trees per ha were also established. These high density plantings require intense fertilisation, irrigation and manipulation practices, the technology transfer for which is conveyed to the farmers by means of a well structured extension service. To combat irregular bearing, horticultural practices are focused on the manipulation of vegetative and reproductive growth by physical and chemical means. Spiral and closed girldling, are practised to promote flower development and fruit set, while growth regulators are commonly applied to regulate flower initiation by discouraging winter flushing. A video regarding these aspects was obtained and the information will be made available to the industry upon translation. Valuable information on the Chinese cultivar profile and its significance to the South African litchi industry was also obtained and conveyed to the Cultivar Development Division of the ITSC.

Summary:

• The litchi fruit originates from China with a cultivation history of over 2000 years; China leads the world in planting area, number of cultivars, and total production.
• Major litchi production regions in China are Guangdong, Guangxi, and Fujian provinces, with over 530,000 hectares under cultivation and a production of 950,000 tons in 1999.
• Before 1990, orchards were mostly smallholdings under 0.5 hectares; since the 1990s, corporate investment has led to larger plantations.
• Propagation mainly uses air layering and grafting; traditional tree spacing was about 150 trees/ha, but denser plantings of 330-500 trees/ha and ultra-high-density orchards with up to 1500 trees/ha were introduced from the 1980s.
• High-density orchards require intensive fertilization, irrigation, pruning, and manipulation practices supported by an effective extension service.
• To combat irregular bearing, both physical (spiral and closed girdling) and chemical methods (growth regulators) are employed to promote flower development, fruit set, and regulate flowering.
• Over 300 litchi cultivars are grown in China; around 40 are commercialized compared to just a few in South Africa.
• Cultivation practices include shaping and pruning for compact canopies, severe pruning at the top, light pruning in spring, and avoidance of winter pruning to preserve flowering.
• Fertilization occurs in three stages: at inflorescence emergence, fruit growth, and post-harvest. Nutrient application rates in some orchards are higher than recommended.
• Organic farming practices are emerging, using chicken and swine manure and peanut cakes due to consumer demand for “green food”.
• Chemical controls include the application of Ethrel, B9, and Paclobutrazol to kill untimely shoots, promote flower bud bursting, and improve fruit retention and size.
• Postharvest preservation typically uses modified atmosphere storage at controlled temperatures (1-7°C, mostly 3-5°C), with fungicide treatments and polyethylene packaging to reduce desiccation and fungal growth.
• Research is ongoing on cultivar improvement, high-density planting optimization, winter shooting control, and flowering manipulation.
• The article includes insights useful to the South African industry regarding cultivar adoption and cultivation technologies.