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Little is known about the adaptability of lychee (Litchi chinensis) to acidic soils high in aluminum (Al). A 2-year greenhouse study was conducted to determine the effects of various levels of soil Al on dry matter production, plant growth, and nutrient concentration in shoots of lychee cultivar rootstock seedlings (maternal half-sibs) of cultivars Brewster, Bostworth-3 (Kwai May Pink), and Kaimana. Soil Al treatments were statistically different for all variables measured in the study but not rootstock seedlings. Total leaf, stem, and root dry weights significantly decreased at soil Al concentrations ranging from 0.42 to 12.69 cmol·kg-1 . Increments in soil Al resulted in a significant reduction in the concentration of leaf calcium and phosphorus and a significant increase in leaf Al in cultivar rootstock seedlings. The concentration of leaf potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and boron were in the optimum range for lychee, whereas leaf nitrogen and manganese concentrations were above optimum. The results of this study demonstrated no cultivar rootstock seedlings differences for dry matter production in lychee trees grown under Al stress and demonstrate that lychee is highly susceptible to acid soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short vegetative phase (SVP), a MADS-domain transcription factor, was shown to act as a repressor of flowering in arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Although the role of SVPs in flowering is well characterized in the model plant arabidopsis, little is known in evergreen woody litchi (Litchi chinensis). In this study, three litchi SVP homologs (LcSVP1, LcSVP2, and LcSVP3) were cloned, and the bioinformatic analysis of the LcSVPs was carried out to identify their molecular characteristics. Their expression patterns in the apical meristem (AM) during the transition from vegetative to reproductive phase were studied under natural flowering inductive conditions. Also, brassinosteroid (BR) treatment under low temperature conditions was performed to elucidate the role of LcSVPs in the BR-regulated flowering. The results showed that LcSVPs belonged to the MADS superfamily. LcSVP relative expression levels in AMs of the early- and late-flowering cultivars showed decreasing trends with the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth. Under low temperature condition, relative expression levels of LcSVP1, LcSVP2, and LcSVP3 in AMs or panicle primordia showed decreasing trends, whereas those in the AMs of the BR-treated trees remained at relatively high levels. Relative expression analysis of the litchi homolog, flowering locus t 1 (LcFT1), showed that the BR-treated leaves had lower relative expression level than nontreated control leaves. The findings suggest that LcSVPs act as repressors involved in flowering in natural conditions and the BR-regulated flowering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The globalization of the economy, increased ethnic diversity, and a greater demand for healthy and more diverse food production has increased die demand for tropical fruits. There is a lack of formal experimentation to determine yield performance and fruit quality traits of lychee (Litchi chinensis) cultivars. Six lychee cultivars (Bosworth-3, Brewster, Groff, Mauritius, Kaimana, Salathiel) grown on Mollisol and Inceptisol soils were evaluated for 8 years at the Adjuntas Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR-Adjuntas) and La Balear farm, Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, respectively. At UPR-Adjuntas and La Balear, cultivar Groff had a significandy higher production (257,296 fruit/ha) of total fruit than other cultivars, whereas Salathiel had the lowest. However, total fruit production of 'Groff was not significandy different from 'Kaimana' and 'Bosworth-3'at La Balear. At UPR-Adjuntas, cultivars Groff and Bosworth-3 had significandy higher number of marketable fruit dian the rest of die cultivars averaging 171,760 fruit/ha. At La Balear, 'Kaimana' had a higher number of marketable fruit, but it was not significandy different from 'Groff, 'Bosworth-3', and 'Mauritius', averaging 291,360 fruit/ha. At both sites, individual fruit weight of marketable fruit was higher in 'Kaimana' dian the rest of the cultivars. However, at La Balear, there were no significant differences between 'Kaimana' and 'Mauritius'. At both locations, cultivars exhibited erratic production patterns, which were characterized by lower production during 1 or 2 successive years following heavy cropping. At current farm gate prices and fruit yield reported in this study, cultivars Groff, Bosworth-3, and Kaimana can generate a good income for growers, and allow them to diversify crops as part of their farm operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) was used to assess genetic relatedness among 23 popular commercial cultivars of lychee (Litchi chinensis) and identify the markers associated with small-seeded cultivars. A combination of three primer pairs with high discriminatory ability was selected for resolving the identity of lychee cultivars. The marker system resolved the instances of synonymies and homonymies. The two cultivars, Dehrarose and Dehradun, whose names are often used interchangeably, could be discriminated by AFLP. A cultivar, Calcuttia (H), grown in the Punjab region was found genetically very similar to China (M) of Bihar region in India, suggesting that both could be the same clone. A number of cultivars with contrasting seed size were included in the study. The cultivars Bedana, Seedless Late, and China were positioned in one group, unlike the grouping previously reported based on morphological traits. The AFLP fingerprinting revealed five marker fragments exclusive to the genotypes, which bear fruit with small seed and large pulp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the relationship between fruit cracking and gene expression patterns, we identified two expansin genes from litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) fruit and then examined their expression profiles in pericarp and aril at different stages of fruit development, using the cracking-resistant cultivar Huaizhi and the cracking-susceptible cultivar Nuomici. Two full-length cDNAs of 1087 and 1010 base pairs encoding expansin, named LcExp1 and LcExp2, were isolated from expanding fruit using RT-PCR and RACE-PCR (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) methods. LcExp1 mRNA could be detected from the early stage of fruit rapid growth (59 days after anthesis). The LcExp1 mRNA increased and reached to the highest level at the end of growth phase (80 days after anthesis) in pericarp of ‘Huaizhi’, while the mRNA could be detected at the stage of rapid fruit growth, then increased slightly and finally kept remained almost constant in the pericarp of ‘Nuomici’. Similar accumulation of LcExp2 mRNA was observed in fruit aril of ‘Nuomici’ and ‘Huaizhi’, whereas LcExp2 accumulated only in pericarp of ‘Huaizhi’ but did not appear in pericarp of ‘Nuomici’. The results indicate that expression of two expansin genes in litchi pericarp are closely associated with fruit growth and cracking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is widespread confusion and uncertainty concerning the identity of lychee cultivars: the same cultivar may be known under different names and different cultivars may appear under the same name. In the present study, the potential of intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) for the identification of 66 lychee cultivars and accessions and a determination of their genetic relationships was evaluated, using 32 primers containing different simple sequence repeat motifs. Of the 194 bands produced, 124 (64%) were polymorphic. A set of six ISSR primers was sufficient to distinguish all cultivars and accessions. Thus, cultivars which are morphologically very similar and have identical isozyme profiles can be distinguished by ISSR analysis. However, seven pairs of accessions, each considered to be the same cultivar, were found to be identical by ISSR analysis. Nei and Li band-sharing distances and Nei genetic distances were calculated among the cultivars and two similarity dendrograms were generated using the neighbor-joining algorithm. Results showed that the ISSR technique is a valuable tool for identification of lychee cultivars and analysis of their genetic relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International markets for major export products of the Caribbean Region such as sugar cane, banana, rubber and coffee have experienced significant volatility and weakening of prices in recent years. Producers are searching for new crops that can provide profitability and long-term price stability in the region. The rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum,), lychee (Litchi chinensis), Iongan (Dimocarpus Iongan) and pulasan [Nephelium rambutan-ake (Labill) Leenh], all members of the Sapindaceae, have demonstrated significant potential as both fresh fruit and processed products in domestic and international markets; however, they have remained under-utilized in this hemisphere. The availability of superior genetic material, and improved or modified production techniques has hastened the development of these crops in Central America and the Caribbean Region in recent years. Each of these crops requires distinct environmental conditions and/or microclimates to provide for their production on a commercial scale. Recent developments in both Asia and the Americas have identified suitable new cultivars of each crop, and new production techniques for their production. Marketing plans include the sale of fresh fruit on the local, national and international scale, and the concurrent development of processed products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tortricid, Crocidosema n. sp., a new species in the longipalpana group, together with other species, such as Proteoteras sp., Platynota sp., and Amorbia sp., cause damage to litchi flowers in Florida. From these species, Crocidosema appears to be causing economic injury to the crop. Seasonality, characteristics of the flower-fruit cluster moth, Crocidosema n. sp. are described as well as chemical control efforts. Larval density peaks from November through the beginning of April. Total life span from egg to adult is approximately 33 d. Chemical control using the insecticide Confirm, appears to provide significant results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an overview of the new emerging superfruits found to have higher nutritional benefits than any other fruits. These newly-identified superfruits include Gac from Southeast Asia, Indian gooseberry and lychee from southern China and other parts of Southeast Asia. Studies show that these fruits possess nutritional properties, and a good source of vitamins and minerals which improves the well-being and health of human. INSET: THE NEXT BIG THING.

We made airlayers of 'Brewster' lychee at different seasons with and without indole butyric acid (IBA) at 3,000 ppm. Airlayers with mature terminal leaves and 5000 ppm IBA were superior to those with inmature leaves. Rooting was 80, 91.6, 100 and 91.6% for June, August, September and November, respectively. Air layers treated with IBA were superior in all cases with double the rooting. Roots per airlayer were 3 or less without IBA and between 5 and 8 for IBA treatments. We also made cuttings at different maturities with or without IBA and during different seasons. The best results were in August with subterminal cuttings with IBA. There was 100% success with 8 roots per cutting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to document the relationship between fruit growth patterns and flushing number in litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn. cv. 73-S-20). The impact of flush number on fruit retention, fruit quality, and leaf efficiency (g fruit FW produced per unit of leaf area at harvest) was assessed in field-grown 6-year-old trees by adjusting the number of flushes per bearing shoot through girdling at two fruit developmental stages. The cumulative fruit growth was sigmoidal. The greatest fruit relative growth rate (RGR) occurred during 3 to 5 weeks after full bloom (AFB), peaking on week 3 at 0.39 g· g-1 dry weight (DW) per day. The greatest fruit absolute growth rate (AGR) occurred during weeks 8 to 11, peaking on week 11 at 0.16 g· d-1 DW. Fruit retention was sensitive to girdling applied during week 3. Most fruit dropped on branches with ≤ two flushes, whereas fruit continued to develop on branches with three flushes and on the controls. There was a gradual loss of fruit when the girdling was applied during week 8. The number of fruit retained on branches with two and three flushes was similar to the controls. At harvest, regardless of the time of branch girdling, fruit yield and quality increased with increasing number of flushes; shoots with three flushes were similar to ungirdled controls. Leaf efficiency on branches girdled during week 3 was inferior to that girdled during week 8. All treatments had similar leaf efficiency when branches were girdled during week 8. On the other hand, girdling treatment applied during week 3 resulted in variable leaf efficiency among treatment, indicating that fruit were utilizing reserves in bearing shoots. We concluded that bearing shoots of '73-S-20' litchi trees require a minimum number of three flushes for adequate fruit production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]