ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1029: IV International Symposium on Lychee, Longan and Other Sapindaceae Fruits
RELATIONSHIP OF FRUIT CALCIUM CONTENT, FRUIT PRESSURE AT MATURITY AND TUBERCLE DENSITY WITH CRACKING AND SUN-BURNING IN FIFTEEN LITCHI CULTIVARS OF WEST BENGAL, INDIA |
| Authors: | D. Mandal, S.K. Mitra |
| Keywords: | pericarp, aril, calcium, fruit cracking, sun-burning, varietal difference |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1029.24 |
| Abstract:
Litchi is one of the important subtropical fruits of the Sapindaceae family grown in India in States like Bihar, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Tripura, Punjab, etc. In West Bengal, litchi cultivars suffer from sun-burning and fruit cracking disorders which cause 10-15% fruit loss to the growers. The present study was taken up to identify the relationship of fruit (aril and peel) calcium content, fruit pressure and tubercle density with fruit cracking and sun-burning in 15 litchi cultivars. Results revealed that among the fifteen cultivars in the study ‘Bedana’, ‘Bombai’, ‘Elaichi’, ‘Kasba’, ‘Nafarpal’, ‘Piazi’ and ‘Seedless Late’ showed less amount of fruit cracking and sun-burning (<5%); while cultivars like ‘China’, ‘Deshi’, ‘McLean’, ‘Early Muzaffarpur’, ‘Muzaffarpur’, ‘Purbi’ and ‘Rose Scented’ showed higher percentages of cracking and sun-burning in fruits (>10%). In general, calcium content in the pericarp was found higher than in the aril of the fruit. Besides, normal fruit contained more calcium in the aril and pericarp than in cracked and burnt fruits. Cultivars like ‘Bedana’, ‘Bombai’ and ‘Kasba’ showed higher aril and pericarp calcium and less fruit cracking and burning. The cultivars ‘McLean’, ‘China’ and ‘Deshi’ showed higher percentages of fruit cracking and burning even though the aril and pericarp calcium contents were higher. Correlation study revealed no significant relationship between fruit cracking and sun-burning and calcium content in fruit aril and pericarp. In general, fruit pressure at maturity and tubercle density was higher in cracked and burnt fruits. Among the cultivars, ‘Bedana’ and ‘Seedless Late’ showed lower tubercle density (4.66 and 6.25 cm-2) and less cracking (4.70 and 5.66%). | |
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