ISHS Acta Horticulturae 275: International Symposium on the Culture of Subtropical and Tropical Fruits and Crops
EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENT ON GROWTH AND FLOWERING OF LYCHEE (LITCHI CHINENSIS SONN.) |
| Authors: | C.M. Menzel, D.R. Simpson |
| Abstract:
Moderate day/night temperatures (20°/15° v. 15/10°C) increased vegetative growth and reduced flowering in seven lychee cultivars. At higher temperatures (25/20° and 30/25°C), vegetative growth was promoted further and flowering eliminated. All terminal shoots on all cultivars produced panicles at 15/10°C. The relative order for the amount of flowering at 20/15°C was: ‘Wai Chee’> ‘Salathiel’>‘Kwai May Pink’>‘Tai So’>‘Bengal’ >‘Souey Tung’>‘Kwai May Red’. High day temperatures for the shoot (constant 20°C or 30°C day/10°C night or 30°C day/25°C night compared to 15° day/10°C night) and high root temperatures (constant 27.5°C compared to constant 12.5°C or 15°C day/10°C night) promoted vegetative growth and reduced or eliminated flowering in ‘Tai So’ lychee. A moderate or severe cyclical leaf water stress (irrigation when pre-dawn leaf water potential fell to -1.0 or -2.0 MPa compared to -0.6 MPa) and a constant moderate leaf water stress (-1.0 MPa) reduced vegetative growth in lychee (cv. Kwai May Pink) grown at 30°C day/25°C night. Flushing was completely prevented when plants were held at a severe constant leaf water stress (-2.0 MPa). Terminal buds grew out as leafy shoots when water stress was relieved after 7 weeks and the plants maintained at 30°C day/25°C night, but were floral when transferred to 15°C day/10°C night. These experiments suggest that day shoot temperatures, root temperatures and water stress interact to control the level of flowering in lychee. | |
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