Effects of branch girdling on total nonstructural carbohydrate content in relation to flowering of two lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) cultivars

Abstract

Studies on girdling of two lychee cultivars, Hong-Huay and O-Hia in Chiang Rai province during August to December 1982 showed that girdling did not increase percent flowering in the Hong-Huay lychee. In O-Hia cultivar, branch girdling during September to December resulted in an increase in percent of flowering with the maximal flowering percentage obtained when the branches were girdled branches were girdled in October. Total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) contents in the terminal shoots of the girdled branches tend to be higher than those of the ungridled ones. From November to June no callus was produced to heal the girdled branches. Callus proliferation in O-Hia caltivar was slower than that months after girdling, and more severe abscission was evident in the O-Hia Cultivar and this was particularly true for the branches girdled in August and September.