Abstracto

Aspects on Litchi Generative Development: A Brief Introduction and Challenges in Early-maturing Litchi Production

Jen-Yu Chang, Jer-Way Chang and Lisa Tang

Litchi (Litchi chinensis, Sapindaceae), a typical subtropical fruit, has been used by human for thousands years. The fresh fruit is still not widely distributed and consumed today for its physiological traits in generative growth and short shelf life. Cool ambient temperature sensed by mature leaves stimulates floral induction and differentiation. The dormant buds then emerge; become inflorescence at the abaxial sites of shoots. Male- and female-function flowers bloom subsequently along with the warmer weather in spring. Fruitlets take about 3 months to reach maturation, and only 1–5% fruitlet remained after two abscission periods in two successive months. Productive potential of litchi is impacted by photo-assimilate supply from the recurrent flushes on the bearing shoots and the environmental conditions during the reproductive growth. In recent years, several early-maturing litchi cultivars have been developed for benefits of litchi industry. Potential problems and respective solutions should be considered for the early flowering phenology of these cultivars in compared with the traditional cultivars