Litchi Deterioration in India

Abstract

The litchi, initially an inhabitant of South China, came to India close to the eighteenth century. It is a significant evergreen soapberry tree 10 to 28 m (33–92 ft) tall and with fleshy pink fruit as long as 5 cm and 4 cm wide, weighing around 20 g. India stands second in the world of litchi production with a total production of 428,900 metric tons. The composition of litchi fruit is juice (60%), rag (8%), seed (19%) and 13% skin, changing with variety and weather. Also, this is an excellent source of vitamins, such as vitamin C, as well as bearing insignificant amounts of protein, fat, pectin and minerals, specially calcium, phosphorus and iron. The fruit is known for high perishability at climate temperatures with 2 to 3 days shelf life. It is cultivated best in regions with short, dry and cool winters and summers with high rainfall (1200 mm). The requirement of high humidity is an essential environmental factor. A mild, cold and dry winter is complementary conditions for litchi flowers. Various types of insects have been reported as fatal attackers of litchi such as Platypeplus aprobola Meyer, Blastobasis spp., grey weevil, Indarbela tetraonis, Aceria litchi Keifer, Planococcus citri, and snails. It has been observed that frequent disease (fruit rot, brown blight, etc.) is responsible for tree decline and death.