Articles
A ten-year status of litchi phenological response to climatic variation in Mauritius
Article number
1447_7
Pages
61 – 72
Language
English
Abstract
The litchi fruit (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) has gained significant commercial importance in Mauritius due to its potential for export to the European market, where it commands a premium price, particularly during October when the marketing season begins.
The productivity, fruit quality, and timely fruit maturity of litchi are influenced by various environmental factors, such as temperature, sunshine hours, and humidity.
This study aimed to investigate the impact of climate variables, specifically temperature and rainfall, on litchi phenology.
The study analyzed the phenological patterns, including litchi panicle emergence (PE) based on daily observations from two different sites: Reduit (RCRS – altitude: 315) m and Pamplemousses (PORS – altitude: 80 m). The data covered a ten-year period from 2010 to 2019, including week of PE, daily minimum and maximum temperatures as well as rainfall.
Trend analysis of monthly average minimum temperatures at both sites revealed a general increase of 1°C over the study period.
The temperature increase during the period preceding PE (April to June) was approximately 0.7°C. Low temperatures recorded three to four weeks prior to PE influenced flower initiation, and panicles emerged between June and July (weeks 24 to 29) at both sites.
The average daily minimum temperatures during the preceding four weeks ranged from 11 to 18°C at Reduit and 7.5 to 13°C at Pamplemousses.
The required temperature shock (chilling period) for PE, which is below 20°C, was established.
Additionally, it was confirmed that a dry period of four weeks before PE was also necessary.
The effect of climate change was evident through an increase in annual number of dry days and daily minimum temperatures.
The timing of PE advanced by approximately 6.0 weeks at RCRS and 2.3 weeks at PORS, while the time of occurrence of dry weeks decreased by 4.3 weeks at RCRS and 2.9 weeks at PORS.
The productivity, fruit quality, and timely fruit maturity of litchi are influenced by various environmental factors, such as temperature, sunshine hours, and humidity.
This study aimed to investigate the impact of climate variables, specifically temperature and rainfall, on litchi phenology.
The study analyzed the phenological patterns, including litchi panicle emergence (PE) based on daily observations from two different sites: Reduit (RCRS – altitude: 315) m and Pamplemousses (PORS – altitude: 80 m). The data covered a ten-year period from 2010 to 2019, including week of PE, daily minimum and maximum temperatures as well as rainfall.
Trend analysis of monthly average minimum temperatures at both sites revealed a general increase of 1°C over the study period.
The temperature increase during the period preceding PE (April to June) was approximately 0.7°C. Low temperatures recorded three to four weeks prior to PE influenced flower initiation, and panicles emerged between June and July (weeks 24 to 29) at both sites.
The average daily minimum temperatures during the preceding four weeks ranged from 11 to 18°C at Reduit and 7.5 to 13°C at Pamplemousses.
The required temperature shock (chilling period) for PE, which is below 20°C, was established.
Additionally, it was confirmed that a dry period of four weeks before PE was also necessary.
The effect of climate change was evident through an increase in annual number of dry days and daily minimum temperatures.
The timing of PE advanced by approximately 6.0 weeks at RCRS and 2.3 weeks at PORS, while the time of occurrence of dry weeks decreased by 4.3 weeks at RCRS and 2.9 weeks at PORS.
Authors
Y.D. Luchoomun, R.K. Ramnauth
Keywords
climate change, panicle emergence, temperature, rainfall
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