Protect Litchi Fruits from Sun-burning and Skin-cracking

Sunburning and fruit cracking are two major disorders that inflict a heavy loss on economic return from litchi cultivation. Hot and dry weather conditions, low soil moisture, deficiency of plant nutrients like calcium and boron, hormonal imbalance and varietal susceptibility are major factors responsible for these disorders. Irrigation at weekly interval to maintain adequate soil moisture, proper plant nutrition particularly in relation to elements like calcium and boron and spray of NAA (20 ppm) or GA3 (50 ppm) 3 weeks ahead of expected harvest date can reduce these disorders to a minimum level. Applying irrigation through under-canopy and over-head sprinkling of water creates a more favorable humid micro-climate within the orchard boundary that restricts both sunburning as well as skin-cracking to a minimum of 3 to 4% level.