Influence of high density planting system on growth, yield and fruit quality of litchi cv. Rose Scented under humid subtropical region of Uttarakhand

A long term field trial was conducted under humid subtropical tarai conditions of Uttarakhand to study the effect of planting system cum high density planting on tree growth, yield and fruit quality in litchi cv. Rose Scented. Treatments consisted of five planting systems, i.e., square system (control), hedge row system, double hedge row system, paired system and cluster system accommodating 100, 167, 222, 133 and 178 trees/ha, respectively. Plant growth, fruit yield and quality attributes were evaluated for consecutive ten years (2002–2011). In general, all high density planting systems had higher vegetative growth during initial years of fruit production which declined slightly during later part of tree growth. Tree stem girth was found to be higher with smaller plant densities in comparison to high plant densities. Square system (control) of planting was found more promotive of tree growth and individual tree yield as compared to other planting systems. Higher plant densities resulted in reduced fruit drop percentage and higher fruit yield/ha, which was found to be highest in double hedge row system followed by hedge row system. Fruit weight and its quality attributes were non-significantly influenced by different planting systems although, slightly higher fruit weight and T.S.S. was recorded in square system of planting. Finally, observations on tree growth, fruit yield and quality attributes leads to the conclusion that double hedge row system could be the appropriate and economic system of planting for stability and sustainability of fruit yield along with appropriate fruit quality in high density planting of litchi under tarai conditions of Uttarakhand.