Division of Horticulture, C. S. A. University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur
*A part of Ph.D. Thesis of Senior Author approved by Kanpur University, Kanpur.
The studies on developmental physiology of fruits of Calcattia variety of litchi revealed many interesting facts. The fruits reached harvest maturity in fifty five days after fruit set and the fruit weight, specific gravity, T. S. S., total sugars and reducing sugars continued to increase until harvest. The growth followed, more or less, sigmoid curve. The peel percentage was higher than the seed up-to thirty fourth day after fruit set, but a reverse trend was found afterwards. The pulp formation started after 34th day of fruit set and acidity of the pulp decreased with the advancement of fruit age. The respiration rate which was very high in the initial stage of fruit development declined for some time and after thirty first day of fruit setting this again became high. When the fruits reached harvest maturity the respiration rate declined.
