ARS | Publication request: Research update USDA-PBARC and CTAHR

Submitted to: Hawaii Tropical Fruit Grower's Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: September 26, 2008
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: A new management method was developed for consistent flowering and fruiting of ‘Kaimana’ lychee at the USDA/ARS PBARC lychee orchard. This method consisted of pruning lychee trees after harvest followed by a foliar fertilizer application one week after pruning. Average production of ‘Kaimana’ trees treated with this method resulted in over 100 lbs per tree per year for three consecutive seasons. To further evaluate this method, this pruning and foliar management protocol was expanded to commercial ‘Kaimana’ fields located in Kona, Hamakua and an additional field in Hilo. The pruning and foliar fertilizer application successfully resulted in flowering and fruiting of lychee in Kona and Hilo similar to the trees in the USDA/ARS PBARC lychee orchard. However, the pruned and foliar fertilized trees resulted in vigorous vegetative growth and reduced flowering and fruit production in the Hamakua orchard. The best treatments for this location were either control trees or non-pruned trees treated with foliar fertilizer only. These experiments are being repeated at the various locations for the next lychee season. In addition, we are currently evaluating the foliar fertilizer sprays to replace hand thinning of longan fruit. Preliminary data suggest that there is no difference in general fruit size, weight and total soluble sugars between the foliar fertilized trees versus hand thinned. However, post-harvest quality may compromised as a result of the foliar spray and further testing will be need to optimize this treatment.