Studies on Longan Production in the East

Abstract

Studies on producing longan in the eastern part of thailand to be used as basic information for research and development.  To produce in a large amount with good quality under free toxic chemical of longan under suitable physical and biological conditions as well as socio-economic status of the production area in this region.  The ideal needs are to analyze basic reference from publication, collec tinformation of two hundred longan growers from questionnaire in a random spot of the fixed locatio and to make analysis and follow by evaluation.    The studies were caried out at chantaburi, Sakaew, Trat and Rayong provinces in 2004.  The studies were found that the longan growers were 46-50 years old in average with a primary school education background.  Each grower had 33.09 rai of landuse but only 17.40 rai for longan growing with 3 labours for branch and fruit prunning, chlorate and pesticide application, harrowing, mowing and harvest.  Majority of grower had an experience with longan growing for 9.6 year and 3 years of chlorate utilization, Longan were normally grown at spacing 10 x 10 m under rainfed condition and pplied chlorate at 8 months after harvest.  The rate of application was 2 x 2 g/m of canopy or 1,900 g/plant.  Prunning of branch was under practice for 1-2 times as well as smaller size of young fruit at the peanut seed size stage.  Fertilifer was also applied at fruit setting, fruit surface colour changed and harvesting.  Pesticides were also used for 20 tiimes/season with  17 kind of insecticides in October - April and sold to Long (packing house) after.  The main problems were bat damage, knowledge lackage of chlorate application, labours shortage, water resources and management of the plantation.