Articles
Effect of various N application times on tree phenology and physiology of ‘Mauritius’ litchi in South Africa – preliminary results
Article number
1211_2
Pages
7 – 14
Language
English
Abstract
The post-harvest shoot growth cycle is a period to foster strong bearing shoots for the next season as high quality bearing shoots are the basis for a productive tree.
In South Africa soil application of fertilizers in litchi is generally done immediately after harvest irrespective of production area, number of post-harvest flushes and soil type.
In order to determine the effect of various application times, specifically of nitrogen (N), before and after harvest, a trial was conducted in the early production area of South Africa (near Malelane) on the cultivar ‘Mauritius’ (‘Tai So’) during 2014. Soil applications of nitrogen were done as follows: a) single application during last part of harvest, b) single application after harvest, c) split application during the last part of harvest and at hardening of the first post-harvest flush, d) no post-harvest application (application only before flowering) and e) current practice on trial farm (after harvest application). Soil and leaf nutrient analysis was done to determine the requirement of N for applications.
All other nutrients were applied in relation to the N amount.
Tree phenology was monitored on a regular basis.
Data for leaf N, tree starch content, shoot growth, flowering and yield were collected.
The results show that time of N application affects the time of flush emergence, hardening-off time and leaf N content.
Tree starch content and leaf N at specific times were positively correlated to shoot growth, flowering and yield.
However, further research is underway to confirm the above results.
In South Africa soil application of fertilizers in litchi is generally done immediately after harvest irrespective of production area, number of post-harvest flushes and soil type.
In order to determine the effect of various application times, specifically of nitrogen (N), before and after harvest, a trial was conducted in the early production area of South Africa (near Malelane) on the cultivar ‘Mauritius’ (‘Tai So’) during 2014. Soil applications of nitrogen were done as follows: a) single application during last part of harvest, b) single application after harvest, c) split application during the last part of harvest and at hardening of the first post-harvest flush, d) no post-harvest application (application only before flowering) and e) current practice on trial farm (after harvest application). Soil and leaf nutrient analysis was done to determine the requirement of N for applications.
All other nutrients were applied in relation to the N amount.
Tree phenology was monitored on a regular basis.
Data for leaf N, tree starch content, shoot growth, flowering and yield were collected.
The results show that time of N application affects the time of flush emergence, hardening-off time and leaf N content.
Tree starch content and leaf N at specific times were positively correlated to shoot growth, flowering and yield.
However, further research is underway to confirm the above results.
Authors
R.B. Cronje, I.M. Ratlapane
Keywords
flowering, leaf N, shoot growth, starch reserves, yield
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