Young Fruit Drops, How to Control them in Litchi Crop?
Litchi, also known as lychee, is an exotic fruit that is widely cultivated in many parts of the world, including India, China, and Thailand. The fruit is highly sought after for its unique flavor and health benefits. However, litchi growers often face the problem of young fruit drops, which can significantly reduce their yield and profitability. In this article, we will discuss the causes of young fruit drops in litchi crop and some effective measures to control them.
Causes of Young Fruit Drops in Litchi Crop:
1. Environmental Factors: Young fruit drops in litchi crop can be caused by adverse weather conditions such as high temperature, drought, and excess rainfall during the flowering and fruiting period. These conditions affect the pollination and fertilization process leading to young fruit drops.
2. Nutritional Disorders: Nutrient deficiencies or imbalances in the soil can cause young fruit drops in litchi crop. For example, lack of potassium and magnesium can reduce the fruit size and quality, and lead to fruit drops.
3. Pest and Disease Attacks: Pest and disease attacks can also cause young fruit drops in litchi crop. Attack by the fruit fly, litchi stink bug, and litchi erinose mite are common causes of fruit drops in litchi.
Effective Measures to Control Young Fruit Drops in Litchi Crop:
1. Use of Balanced Fertilizers: Litchi crop requires a balanced fertilizer application, especially before the fruiting season. A balanced fertilizer application should contain adequate amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, with additional micronutrients like magnesium, calcium, and sulfur.
2. Proper Irrigation Management: Litchi crop requires proper irrigation management which should be tailored to the crop requirements during different stages of growth. Adequate soil moisture is essential during the flowering and fruiting season to support the pollination and fertilization process.
3. Integrated Pest Management: Insect and disease control is the key to successful litchi cultivation as they cause a significant economic loss. It is best to adopt an integrated pest management approach, starting from the nursery stage to avoid pest and disease infestations.
4. Use of Growth Enhancers: The application of natural growth enhancers such as seaweed extracts, humic acid, and amino acids can increase the fruit size, quality, and yield of the litchi crop.
Conclusion:
Young fruit drops in litchi crop can be a significant challenge for the growers if not handled on time and appropriately. It is essential to understand the causes and adopt effective measures such as balanced fertilizer application, perfect irrigation management, integrated pest management, and use of growth enhancers to control young fruit drops in litchi crop. By adopting these measures, litchi growers can improve the yield, quality, and profitability of their crops.