Application of chemicals and pruning for regular cropping in litchi

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.), is an important sub-tropical evergreen fruit crop of excellent quality, belonging to family sapindaceae. The sapindaceae is a relatively large family containing at least 125 genera and 1,000 species, which are widely distributed in the tropics and warm sub-tropics. Litchi is believed to have originated in southern China, where it has been cultivated for over 4000 years.Low and irregular bearing is a hurdle in successful cultivation of litchi which is preventing litchi from becoming the major crop of subtropical region so far.The problem is generally due to failure of flower initiation, which put forth vegetative growth 1-2 months prior to panicle emergence and flowering, eliminating the crop completely. Delayed flushing during the autumn and erratic winter leading to physiological immaturity of the shoots seems primarily responsible for irregular bearing in litchi.The present book has the implication for the management of litchi orchard in the autumn season for which the strategic pruning and chemicals (KNO3 and Urea) application can be used to correct non productive flushes.