INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE CONTROL OF LITCHI TREE DIE-BACK IN SOUTH AFRICA

Litchi die-back is becoming a serious problem in litchi orchards in South Africa where adult trees become sick and eventually die.
Together with a survey conducted in all litchi producing areas in South Africa to determine the main agents causing the disease, trials in Tzaneen, Limpopo Province, and Nelspruit, Mpumalanga Province, with both nematicides (including cadusaphos and fenamiphos) and fungicides (chlorothalonil/metalaxyl, carbendazim and captan) were conducted to determine the efficacy of the products over a period of 3 years.
Results showed that the disease should be controlled in the early stages of development.
A fungicide able to kill soil pathogens like Phytophthora and Pythium will be able to control litchi die-back if applied early enough.
If nematodes are a problem they should be controlled with a nematicide as nematodes enhance stress of the root system and therefore making the tree more susceptible to litchi die-back.
Other management practices such as irrigation, fertilization and soil preparation should be optimal as this will reduce stress to the tree.

IV International Symposium on Lychee, Longan and Other Sapindaceae Fruits

W.P. Steyn, M.S. Daneel, S. Serfontein , J.J. Serfontein

Litchi chinensis, disease, Phytophthora, Pythium, nematodes

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1029.56