- W van de Pypekamp and SH Swart
- QMS Agri Science, PO Box 416, Letsitele 0885, South Africa E-mail: willemv@agriscience.co.za
- 2008
In South Africa there are currently no registered pre-harvest fungicides for the control of post-harvest decay of litchi
fruits. The aim of this trial was to determine the effect of pre-harvest application of fungicides on post-harvest decay
control. The trial was conducted in the Tzaneen area on cultivars Mauritius and McLean’s Red. Five fungicides, applied
14 or 21 days before harvest, were tested during the trial. Phytex 200 and Ortiva reduced post-harvest decay the best
when sprayed 14 days before harvest on cultivar Mauritius. However, when sprayed 21 days before harvest, Topsin and
Prochloraz reduced post-harvest decay the best. None of the fungicides sprayed on cultivar McLean’s Red effectively controlled post-harvest decay compared to the unsprayed control treatment.