EFFECT OF FRUIT THINNING INTENSITY ON FIVE VARIETIES OF LYCHEE

Authors

  • Ludmilla de Lima Cavallari Peres Instituto Federal do Sul de Minas Gerais, Muzambinho, MG
  • Antonio Baldo Geraldo Martins Department of Crop Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Jaboticabal, SP
  • Lívia Felício Barreto Department of Crop Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Jaboticabal, SP
  • Uliana Vieira Pimentel Agronomist, Salvador, BA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252017v30n430rc

Keywords:

Chemical analysis. Colorimetry. Fruit. Litchi chinensis.

Abstract

Fruit thinning is the removal of fruitlets in heavy fruit set situations and aims to increase salable fruit sizes, avoid branch breakdown, reduce harvesting costs, and promote a balance between the vegetative and reproductive growth of plants. Furthermore, this procedure may improve coloring, increase soluble solids, and maintain plant vigor. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fruit thinning in five varieties of lychee (Bengal, American, Mauritius, Sweet Cliff, and WB4), in the conditions of Jaboticabal – São Paulo state (Brazil). The experimental design was a completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments and seven replications of three plants each. Treatments consisted of fruit thinning intensities characterized by the number of fruit left on terminal branch panicles, being T1: 3 fruits/branch; T2: 6 fruits /branch; T3: 9 fruit/branch; T4: 12 fruits/branch; T5: no thinning (control plot). Evaluations were made through a colorimetric assay on ripe fruits, besides a physical and chemical analysis for each variety. The treatments affected the response of varieties on each studied variable. The variety ‘Mauritius’ showed interesting physical and chemical characteristics for the consumer market.

Author Biographies

  • Antonio Baldo Geraldo Martins, Department of Crop Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Jaboticabal, SP
    Produção vegetal - Fruticultura
  • Lívia Felício Barreto, Department of Crop Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Jaboticabal, SP
    Biologia aplicada à agropecuária - Matologia

Downloads

Published

14-06-2017

Issue

Section

Technical Note