Litchi cultivation

1. WELCOME

2. TOPIC: Breeding in Litchi fruit
COURSE TITLE : Breeding of fruit crops
COURSE NO. : FSc.-506
SUBMITTED BY
PAWAN KUMAR NAGAR
M.Sc. (Fruit Science)
B.A. COLLEGE OF AGRICLTURE

3. Botanical name : Litchi chinensis
Family : Sapindaceae
Chromosome no. : 2n= 30
Origin : China
Climatic adaptability : Subtropical
Type of dichogamy : Heterostyle – pin and thrum type
Type of parthanocapy : Stimulative
Type of inflorescence : Panicle
Type of Edible part : fleshy aril
Type of fruit : One seeded nut
Related species : Rambutan, Longan berry
Pollination : highly cross pollination
Pollinator : honey bee
Litchi has two specie : L. chinesis, L. philippinesis (Used as rootstock )
LITCHI

4. Improved cultivars play vital role in improving production of the crop in a region. They
possess built in production stability factors and aid in ensuring high production and better
quality.
As the crop yield is an integrative and interactive interplay of several factors involving all
aspects of cultivation, the yielding potential of a cultivar depends not only on its genetic make-
up but also on how it is handled in the field.
It has been estimated that contribution of a variety to yield improvement is up to the extent of
30 per cent. The remaining 70 per cent contribution comes through the cultural practices used
to produce the crop with that variety.
Nevertheless, a contribution of nearly 30% to the yield from a single factor (i.e. cultivar) clearly
highlights its role in crop production.
 In India, genetic base of litchi is narrow. Although nearly 40 cultivars have been reported
under cultivation in different parts of the country, only 7-8 varieties are popular and grown
commercially in different parts of India.
Introduction:

5. Since litchi originated in China and it has been under cultivation there for more than
2200 years, more than 200 litchi varieties exist in China however, the varieties grown
commercially is limited to 15 or 20 only.
The variation in climatic factors, sometimes leads to greater fluctuation in yield of a
litchi orchard but by and large it is the variety which governs the potential yield and fruit
quality of the orchard.
 Therefore, a right variety should be selected for plantation at a particular lace though, all
the litchi varieties have a wide range of adaptability; yield, fruit quality and acceptability
may be region or location specific.
When distinguishing the cultivar, the shape of skin segments and protuberances are the
reliable and stable genetic characteristics.
Fruit size, shape and taste are also variables but are influenced by other than genetic
factors.

6. The litchi inflorescence is determinate and composed of several multiple branched
panicles on parent season wood. the panicle are produced thermally in cluster of 10 or
more , but in some trees a high percentage of auxiliary panicles may also be produced.
The time of flower initiation varies with genotypes and environments and
environmental conditions. In the northern him sire it usually occurs between june and
September.
Shahi is early to flower followed by Rose scented, Purabi , Deshi ,Bedana and China in
India.
The Inflorescence of litchi is well branched panicles bearing numerous ape talus,
creamy colored tiny flowers. Different sex from found on panicle sare; Male type MT;
Imperfect hermaphrodite with non dehiscent anthers (functionally Female FF; 0 and
imperfect female hermaphrodite with abortive ovary (Functionally Female - FF).
Floral Biology:

9. All the flowers of a panicle open in distinct successive flushed and their sexes varies
greatly in different successions .In general, first flower that open panicle are MT .
This phase is interrupted hermaphrodite flowers functioning as female flower. Each FF
flower has two lobed, binocular soupier ovary with a single style bifurcated stigma.
FF cycle is interrupted by another cycle of imperfectly hermaphrodite flowers that
flower that function as male flower (MF).
The proportion of female functional female flowers varies greatly between cultivars and
years, formers than 60%.
The ban thesis of flowers occurs throughout the day and night with early morning
between 6 to 9 am Receptivity o stigma is reached generally after 8 to 10 hours after an
thesis and continues upon 42 to 48 hours.

10. Criteria for Selection of Litchi Varieties:
Varietal selection is generally made on the basis of yield potential, disease
resistance, suitability for local conditions and availability of planting material in a
nearby place and often without sufficient consideration of market preferences and
post-harvest behavior particularly the keeping quality. In order to meet the
challenge of the present day requirements, some criteria should be considered
while selecting a litchi variety.
No existing cultivar possesses all these desirable characteristics, some of which
may even be strongly influenced by environmental conditions, that is why cultivar
selection must be carried out in every region. It is worth pointing out that some
characteristics may be more desirable in some areas than in others. The most
desirable characteristics of a litchi cultivar are set out in following paragraphs.

11. Desirable Characteristics of a Litchi Cultivar:
A schematic diagram of ideal litchi
fruit have been given in whereas
the other parameters required for
describing any cultivar has been
given in:

12. Fig. External and internal structure of a litchi fruit

13. Weight: Light weight fruit is an undesirable feature which affects profitability. Any
varietal selection for cultivation must include the heaviest weight possibly not less than 25
g.
Shape: Round shape is the most efficient shape as it allows for easy packaging and
educes transport cost and it should therefore be given preference, however, it is not an
absolutely essential characteristic. Varieties of other shapes, oval, or even a sling shape may
also be Shape may also be selected.
Post harvest quality: Fruit should lend itself well to preservation by freezing so that it
can be consumed a fairly long time after harvesting. This is an important factor to be kept
in mind while selecting the variety for cultivation.
Ripening: Uniform ripening pattern and short ripening period on an individual tree is desirable so
that all the fruits on the same trees ripe at the same time. This makes harvesting easier and keeps
harvesting cost down.
Season of fruit availability: Litchi fruits are harvested in the summer, when there is an
abundance of all other fruit. Early or late varieties would therefore be more desirable.

14. Shelf life: The litchi fruit get deteriorated within short period after harvesting, hence,
selected variety should have longer shelf life of fruit.
Fruit colour: Bright red fruit colour is the desirable feature as it is pleasing to the eye.
Fast skin browning is a demerit. A litchi cultivar should have slow darkening of skin
colour after harvesting. This will reduce the need for refrigeration of the fruits
immediately after harvesting and would keep export costs down.
Skin texture: Skin should have acceptable thickness and texture. It provides adequate
protection in the period between harvesting and consumption and allows for easier
peeling.
Resistance to biotic and abiotic stress: Pest and disease resistant varieties are of prime
importance. It is an important factor for the tree as a whole. Fruit should be resistant to
cracking and sun-burn. Since the fruits are particularly sensitive to cracking, which is
caused By extremes of humidity and temperature, it would be highly desirable to have a
variety free from this defect as far as possible.

15. Seed: Small seed is an essential characteristic for litchi fruit. Of existing
cultivars, only those in which the seed accounts for less than 30 per cent of the
weight of the fruit (practically more than 70 per cent pulp) should be selected.
Since litchi with chicken-tongued seeds do not suffer any loss of quality, this
characteristic is very much appreciated. It is influenced to some extent by
environment. However, whatever the circumstances, the higher the proportion of
this type of fruit obtained the better is the variety. Small seeds are not absolutely
essential in large fruits.
Taste: Pulp should be of pleasant taste and texture. Fruits that are slightly
fragrant, with a sweet or slightly bitter sweet taste, even prior to maturity, are
preferred. The pulp should be crisp in texture and not too watery.

16. Fig: Different type of flower shape

17. Breeding objective:
Breeding objective are to develop varieties with dwarf
stature, regular bearer.
Through an ideal litchi cultivar for modern requirements
is lacking, the following points are to be borne in mind
while developing a superior cultivar: large fruit size
(>20g) having small seed or highest percentage of aborted
seeds, good skin colour, fruit quality and high keeping
quality.

18. Fruit characteristics used to describe different litchi cultivars

19. Fig: panicle and fruit

20. Stout panicles with 25 to 30 FF are slated rest all
unwanted flowers and bare branches removed and
panicles covered with non capsule , water proof
cellophane bag to protect from unwanted pollen,
Selected flowers are pollinated following
emasculation. MT and FM flower are also protected
against foreign pollens by covering the with insect
proof bags after removing all opened flowers.
Hybridization:

21. Selected flower in lower half of the panicle 20-40
FF per panicle, gives better set then pollination a large
number of flowers. Pollination is achieved by placing
pollens on the receptive stigmas with the help of a clean
cannels hair brush. Fruit setting in crossing can be
increasing if the glossy stigma is smeared with 10%
sucrose and 10% boric acid solution by a soft hair brush
before pollinating.
Emasculation and pollination:

22. In litchi the cycle of FF flowers, is relative short and it is reported
for different cultivars to range from 4-6 days in Israel , 5-9 days in Florida
10- 20 days in South Africa and 7-18 days in India in different cultivars. This
period or EPP. It is of high practical value as it greatly inflected the success
of hand pollination in a breeding programmed. To overcome the problem of
unsynchronized flowering in different litchi cultivars, a branch from anther
variety with which crossing is top grafted on the tree and bagged with a
plastic cover at an early stage of inflorescence developed. Bagged
inflorescence flowers earlier then untagged ones. Some honeybees are
introduced to effect the pollination inside the cover.
Effective pollination period (EPP) in litchi:

23. Two hybrid namely ‘Madhu’ and ‘H-73’ have been developed as a result
of cross between Purabi into Bedana and released for commercial
cultivars.
Ali , Ziniangxi Mianbaoli and fengli are four new litchi selections made
in china.
Ali(dwarf), Ziniangxi (large, strongly good eating quality ) ,Mianbaoli
(high TSS 17.5%), Fengli(TSS 18%).
Other selections made earlier are Songmei 2(long storage life, good
eating quality) , Sangmei 5 (larg, strogly aromatic fruits), Songmei 9
(Exceptionally high and stable production) and 12 (dwarf).
Selection and Inter varietal crosses:

24. Longan cultivars have a strong biennial bearing tendency and thus incorporation of
this characters into the hybrid may cause more erratic fruiting.
Intergenic crosses between Longana nd Litchi were successful in dialogic crosses.
In reciprocal crosses between commercial cultivars of litchi and longan produced
hybrid progny only when litchi was used as female parents.
Nephelium philippines can provide an important gene pool for breeding work.
Seedless
Fruit bearing wild forms could have potasial for fruit production for the canning
industry.
Seedless forms of Pulasan (N. mutabile) can also be used to hybridies with
rambutan to produce new types of fruits.
N. mutabile and other wild species with rambutan for use as rootstock material,
which cold be more resistant to root disease than the rambutan.
Intergenic Crosses:

25. Immature embryo and anthers have resulted in uniform diploid
and haploid(n) production.
A haploid individual has the potential for early identification
and evolution of recessive alleles either naturally occurring or
artificially induced, without being masked by dominates on a
homologous chromosomes.
Doubling of haploids leads to complete homozygous diploids
that can be produced without the time consuming take of selfing
or sib mating and selection over years.
Biotechnology:

26. Standardization of tissue culture techniques,
anthers, embryo, transgenic production.
Transfer of gene responsible for fruits with
chicken tongue seeds to the commercial litchi
cultivars.
Future Thrust areas:

27. Varieties in Litchi

28. Fig. Litchi Cvs. China

29. Fig. Litchi Syn. Late Bedana

30. Fig. Rose Scented variety

31. Fig. Shahi variety

32. Fig. Litchi Cv. Bengal

33. Fig. Litchi Cv. Haak Ip

34. Fig. Litchi Cv. Heung Lai

35. Fig. 3.11: Litchi Cv. Groff

36. THANK YOU