Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a fruit crop with a clear niche for expansion in countries with subtropical climates. One of the main limitations for breeding purposes and optimum germplasm management in this species is the confusion in cultivar denomination among different producing countries and germplasm collections worldwide. Litchi cultivar identification is still mainly based on morphological characters, and homonymies and synonymies are very frequent. To address this gap, a molecular study was conducted to characterize litchi accessions from two of the main litchi-producing regions for the export market, Mauritius and Reunion, and to compare them to those obtained from litchi cultivars from different origins conserved in a germplasm collection in Spain. Eleven simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci were used to characterize molecular polymorphisms among 88 litchi accessions conserved in Mauritius, Reunion, and Spain. A total of 67 amplification fragments were detected with those 11 SSRs, with an average of 6.1 bands/SSR. Three primer pairs seemed to amplify more than one locus. The mean expected and observed heterozygosities over the eight single locus SSRs averaged 0.53 and 0.61, respectively. The total value for the probability of identity was 9.78 × 10−4. Molecular characterization revealed the existence of 42 different genetic profiles. Several synonymies and homonymies in litchi cultivar nomenclature both within and across geographical regions were found. This comparative study provides the basis for the standardization of litchi cultivar nomenclature over the studied regions and in other litchi-producing countries.

Fingerprinting and analysis of genetic diversity of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) accessions from different germplasm collections using microsatellite markers

Two pseudomonad strains facilitate AMF mycorrhization of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) and improving phosphorus uptake

Introduction. A short harvest window is common in litchi production worldwide, leading to imbalance between supply and demand for fresh fruit. This problem can be mitigated with early-maturing cultivars, such as ‘Early Big’, released in 2010 in Taiwan. Our goal was to characterize the generative development in this novel litchi cultivar. Materials and methods. The patterns of female flowering and fruit development, and fruit abscission were investigated in ‘Early Big’ litchi in 2013 and 2014. The relationship between the second round (2nd R) blooming and the first round (1st R) fruit was studied. The ambient temperature in both years was recorded. Results and discussion. 2–3 weeks after full female bloom (AFFB) the 2nd R flowering occurred, followed by fruit abscission with loss of 95% fruit within 4 weeks AFFB in ‘Early Big’ litchi, resulting in low yield at harvest. The 2nd R blooming was negatively correlated with the 1st R fruit retention rate from week 4 AFFB in 2013. Overall, the period of low temperature from November through to the following March was longer in 2013/2014 than in 2012/2013. The trait of early maturing in ‘Early Big’ is mainly due to early flowering. Temperature may be related to the generative development in ‘Early Big’. The accumulation of low temperature in early spring may be related to poor initial fruit set. Conclusion. The presence of 2nd R flowering also potentially reduced the 1st R fruit set and retention. These issues must be addressed to develop field strategies to improve yield in ‘Early Big’ litchi.

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Characterization of generative development in early maturing litchi ‘Early Big’, a novel cultivar in Taiwan

Litchi chinensis (common name, litchi or lychee) is a tropical to subtropical fruit that was originated in China and Vietnam but now grows in more than 20 countries at the commercial level China is the largest producer of litchi followed by India Because of its delicious taste and high nutritional value, it is also called as “King of the Fruits” in China Litchi belongs to family Sapindaceae, also known as the soapberry family Litchi chinensis subsp chinensis is the only commercially grown subspecies Litchi is a highly cross-pollinated entomophilous crop Honey bees are its principal pollinators The edible part of the fruit is the aril, which is fleshy, white, translucent and juicy The bud, leaf and shoot development, inflorescence emergence, flowering, fruit development and fruit maturity are the seven principal growth stages of its complete growth cycle Many litchi cultivars are known in various parts of the world Some of these, with special or superior characteristics, are grown commercially Various workers have classified these litchi cultivars differently on the basis of various parameters, viz morphological traits, isozyme analysis, DNA markers, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, etc Every part of the litchi (leaf, fruit, flower, seed, pericarp) has some medicinal value Litchi fruits are a good source of vitamin C, minerals (Cu, P, K), B-complex vitamins and antioxidants such as oligonol This chapter gives an overview of its taxonomy, botany and various cultivars A brief description of its active constituents and the pharmacological activities is also given here in this chapter

Litchi chinensis: Taxonomy, Botany and Its Cultivars

Molecular techniques have developed from using isozymes as markers to the latest technologies involving DNA and RNA sequencing. The application of molecular markers in litchi research has parallele...

Molecular and related approaches to litchi improvement – historical perspective and future trends

Litchi chinensis Sonn. ranks (high) among the most important horticultural crops, belongs to the family Sapindaceae and widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions (Menzel 1985). The tree produces delicious top quality fruits that are in great demand for their wholesome taste, sweet aroma and attractive colour. They are mainly consumed as a fresh table fruit worldwide but in China, dried litchis, called litchi nuts with the taste of the raisin are quite popular. They are also preserved and canned in syrup or used as squash. In Florida, frozen fruits are consumed on a limited scale. China, India and Taiwan are the major producers of litchi whereas in the last 40 years substantial increase in production in South Africa, Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, USA and Israel has led litchis to become a significant commodity in the international trade, (Underhill et al. 1997). Major thrust of litchi research has been on prevention of physiological browning and retention of bright red colouration of litchi fruits in several countries. Exotic litchi fruits have received worldwide attention. Increase in popularity has necessitated litchi cultivation in a wide range of environmental conditions. In fact litchi is generally adapted to various soil types via alluvial sands, loams, heavy clay, organic soil and calcareous soil with 30% lime and rock files (Chapman 1984a). In China, the best litchi trees are prevalent in Gwanagdong province close to the rivers on alluvial sands with good drainage and access to the water table (Chapman 1984b). They are also grown in gravelly sandy loam to loam soils as well as in swampy areas. However, soil in Fijian province is very high in clay, poorly drained and acidic in reaction (Winks et al. 1983). In South Africa, trees are more vigorous in growth on acid soils rather than on neutral or alkaline soils (Marloth 1947). Under Indian conditions, litchi cultivation in Bihar state is common on calcareous soils containing more than 40% free calcium carbonate and trees flourish well in a moist subtropical climate and in deep loamy soil with high moisture content. However,

S. Mohan Jain

Papers

Litchi Breeding for Genetic Improvement