ISHS Acta Horticulturae 665: II International Symposium on Lychee, Longan, Rambutan and other Sapindaceae Plants
LONGAN PRODUCTION IN TAIWAN |
| Authors: | C.R. Yen, C.N. Chau, J.W. Chang, J.C. Tzeng |
| Keywords: | 'Fengko', 'October', 'Shuikon', adaptability, slow desweeting, alternate bearing |
| Abstract:
Longan has been introduced from China into Taiwan more than 300 years and reached 12,258 ha and 110,925 MT of production in 2002. It accounts for 5% of total fruit production area and follows citrus and mango, become third important fruit crop in this decade. The average yield was 9,353 kg/ha and 31 kg/plant respectively in 2002. Currently, ‘Fengko’ is the most popular cultivar and accounts for more than 95% of longan production for its wide adaptability and slow desweeting on the tree. Late ‘October’ and large ‘Shuikon’ cultivars are increasing gradually in area. More than 50 cultivars were evaluated and 33 cultivars are collected at Chia-Yi Agricultural Experiment Station. The main production area is distributed from central to southern upland in Taiwan. Most of fresh fruit are consumed domestically and dried longan was exported to USA and Singapore with small amount. Significantly increase of fresh fruit import, mainly from Thailand, was recorded in 2002. As compared with local citrus, mango and longan in other countries, the cost for pest control and management is relative lower. It means Taiwan longan is a clean fruit for few pesticide spray and no SO2 treatment. However, tree size and alternate bearing are still serious problem in longan production. Application of potassium chlorate for effective flower induction was developed in 1998. However, the climate (lower temperature in the winter) and environment (poor soil, planting system and more old tree) had limited the wide use of this technique in Taiwan despite of where it was first discovered by authors. | |
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