- J H Husselman en I J Froneman
- lnstituut vir Tropiese en Subtropiese Gewasse, Privaatsak x11208, Nelspruit 1200
- 1998
Die Lietsjie Fase 11-evaluasieprogramboorde is in vyf van die belangrike lietsjie produserende areas gevestig, nl Hazyview, Malelane, Nelspruit, Levubu en Tzaneen. Die gebiede se langtermyn klimatologiese data word gegee en kortliks bespreek. Elf nuut ingevoerde kultivars, wat nag nie geevalueer is nie, se eienskappe word ook genoem. Boomhoogtes is in die verskillende areas geneem en word met mekaar vergelyk.
Summary:
- The Phase II litchi cultivar evaluation program planted five orchards in key South African litchi-producing areas: Hazyview, Malelane, Nelspruit, Levubu, and Tzaneen, considering the climatic differences across these regions.
- Eleven new cultivars were imported from Australia and Israel, including Haak Yip, Salathiel, Kwai May Pink, Souey Tung, Wai Chee, Floridian, Kaimana, Garnet, Groff, Early Large Red, and Late Seedless.
- The program includes 10 HLH Mauritius vegetative selections and 13 cultivars, with HLH Mauritius and McLeans Red used as control cultivars; tree heights were measured and compared across different sites and cultivars.
- Significant climatic variations exist between trial sites, with Malelane being a warm, dry area; Tzaneen cooler with higher rainfall, impacting tree growth and development.
- Cultivar summaries:
- Wai Chee: A late cultivar common in China, compact tree, good fruit color, small seed, extended harvest period, but less suitable for subtropical climates.
- Salathiel: Late cultivar with good flavor, small fruit, sturdy compact tree, poor yield in Australia.
- Kwai May Pink: Mid-season cultivar with long harvest period, upright growth, orange-pink skin, possibly more susceptible to fruit fly damage.
- Haak Yip: Early to mid-season cultivar with good quality fruit and export potential but has alternate bearing and brittle branches.
- Souey Tung: Early cultivar similar to Haak Yip, performs well in cool, dry areas, good annual yield in northern Queensland.
- Six cultivars from Israel were also imported and grafted onto HLH Mauritius rootstocks; these will undergo further evaluation in other production areas.
- Details on tree height comparisons showed trees in Tzaneen, Levubu, and Malelane grew significantly taller than those in Burgershall and Nelspruit, with Malelane identified as a preferred site for propagating new plant material.
- The program aims to identify alternatives to main cultivars (HLH Mauritius and McLeans Red) to extend the litchi harvest season and address the environmental adaptability of cultivars across regions.