Effects of environmental factors on growth of lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) planted in the farmland readjustment area in Doi Suthep - Pui National Park, Chiang Mai province

Abstract

Highland agriculture is currently facing a problem of low productivity, which may be a result of recommendation of agronomic practices that is unsuitable for the growth of a certain plant in the given environmental factors. To address this problem, the objective of this research was to study the relationship between environmental factors and growth of Lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) planted in the Farmland Readjustment Area in Doi Suthep - Pui National Park, Chiang Mai Province. Twenty plots of a 1 rai (40 mx40 m) were setup within different Lychee planting areas of Doi Suthep – Pui. In addition, the environmental factors, topographic factors, and soil properties were collected and analyzed to elucidate the relationship between these factors and Lychee growth parameters. The results showed that Lychee growth parameters differed among different environmental factors, particularly biomass, which was significantly different. Among the different environmental factors associated with Lychee biomass, it was found that elevation, distance from natural water reservoir, and slope of the area were most related with Lychee biomass.  This is consistent with the analysis to identify factors affecting Lychee biomass. It indicated that an elevation more than 900 m a.s.l. and distance from natural water reservoir of more than 0.4 km had positive effect on Lychee biomass, while soil particle that consist of more than 40% clay had negative effect on Lychee biomass. The results of this research may be useful for improving efficiency of agronomic practices for Lychee plantation in Northern Thailand.