Yield and physico-chemical properties of litchi fruits as affected by different rates of pruning and chemical spray

Present investigation was conducted to assess the effect of different rate of pruning and chemical spray on physico-chemical properties and yield of litchi fruits during 2008–09 and 2009–10 at Ranchi. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with eleven treatments and three replications. Results on physico-chemical properties reveal that spraying of borax @ 0.5% or 1.0% increased TSS (17.42°Brix), ascorbic acid (51.82 mg/100g fresh fruit), total sugar (15.33%) and reducing sugar content (11.10%) of litchi fruits while the same spray decreased the acidity percentage. Pruning of litchi branches at 40 cm and spray of borax @ 1.0% or 0.5% had a positive effect on fruit yield (26.77 kg litchi/plant with 1.0% and 26.43 kg litchi/plant with 0.5% borax spray). Pruning of branches at 40 cm and spray of Borax @ 0.5% showed better B: C ratio of 2.23.