Effect of girdling on flowering and fruiting of litchi (Litchi chinensis) in subtropics of Bihar

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during 2014 and 2015 to study the effect of varied extent of girdling for induction of flowering in litchi (Litchi chinensis sonn.) under Bihar condition. Results indicated that circular girdling of 2mm on 50% primary branches produced more flowering panicle, fruit yield, fruit size, TSS, and TSS/acid ratio in Shahi litchi trees compared to ungirdle (control) trees. Findings also revealed that the wound healing duration of girdled portion increases with increasing the size of girdling notch. The average yields from all girdled treatments were about three to five times higher than control. Gradual decrease in fruit weight was noticed with increase of girdling size in both 25% PB and 50% PB. TSS and TSS/ acid ratio showed decreasing trend while acidity and ascorbic acid content of the fruit showed increasing trend with increase in level of girdling width. All girdled shoots showed more accumulation of carbohydrate in leaves than control. Among the girdled branches, gradual increase in leaf carbohydrate and C/N ratio content and decrease in nitrogen content observed with increase in level of girdling but the nitrogen content of bark showed the reverse trend.