Studies on fruit growth pattern and bio-chemical attributes of commercial cultivars of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) in Bhagalpur district of Bihar

Abstract

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is an evergreen, subtropical fruit tree belonging to the family Sapindaceae. India is the second largest producer of litchi accounting for about one-fifth of the global production and has a good export potential. Of the total production of litchi in India, 40% is contributed by Bihar. An experiment was conducted at BAU, Sabour to study the fruit growth pattern and to analyze the biochemical properties of four cultivars of litchi i.e. Deshi, Bedana, Purbi and Kasba during the year 2016-17. The finding had shown that fruit growth started from seed development and later aril development had started after 17 days from the fruit set. The maximum T.S.S. was found in Bedana (22.10) followed by Purbi (20.00) during the investigation and the minimum was obtained in Kasba (17.10). The minimum acidity percentage was observed in Purbi (0.33) which was at par with Bedana and the maximum acidity was found in Deshi (0.59). TSS/ acid ratio was found to be the highest in cv. Beadana (67.64) followed by Purbi (64.66). The maximum total sugar percentage was found in Purbi (15.62), while the minimum was recorded in Deshi (14.91). Purbi had the maximum percentage of reducing sugar i.e. (11.01) which was at par with cv. Kasba (10.82).