Articles
LITCHI CULTIVARS IN ISRAEL
Article number
558_17
Pages
129 – 133
Language
English
Abstract
The Israeli litchi industry, covering about 300 ha, has been based on two cultivars (‘Mauritius’ and ‘Floridian’), introduced into Israel (then Palestine) in the 1930s.
Over the last 25 years, about 80 new accessions have been successfully introduced from: Australia, Mainland China, Taiwan, India, Florida, Hawaii, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam.
Although many of these accessions may have originated in South China, they were brought from other countries, often under new names.
In addition, several new cultivars have been selected in Israel.
The climatic conditions prevailing in Israel differ greatly from those of most litchi-growing regions: the winter is cold and rainy and the summer is hot and dry.
As a result, the bloom is delayed to April and early May and the fruit is harvested in July and August.
At present, only ‘Mauritius’ (‘Da Zao’) is still planted commercially.
Recently, the following cultivars have been recommended for semi-commercial planting: ‘Nuo Mi Ci’, ‘Huai Zhi’ and the two local selections: ‘BD 5-27’ and ‘BD 17-70’. The following cultivars produce high-quality fruit, but their productivity has been erratic: ‘Fey Zi Xiao’, ‘Late Seedless’ and ‘Kaimana’. The following cultivars have been productive but their fruit tends to be too small: ‘Hei Ye’ and ‘Kwai May Pink’. The following cultivars do not do well on their own roots and have to be grafted: ‘Nuo Mi Ci’, ‘Sah Keng’ and ‘Late Seedless’. Many other cultivars are still being evaluated.
Over the last 25 years, about 80 new accessions have been successfully introduced from: Australia, Mainland China, Taiwan, India, Florida, Hawaii, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam.
Although many of these accessions may have originated in South China, they were brought from other countries, often under new names.
In addition, several new cultivars have been selected in Israel.
The climatic conditions prevailing in Israel differ greatly from those of most litchi-growing regions: the winter is cold and rainy and the summer is hot and dry.
As a result, the bloom is delayed to April and early May and the fruit is harvested in July and August.
At present, only ‘Mauritius’ (‘Da Zao’) is still planted commercially.
Recently, the following cultivars have been recommended for semi-commercial planting: ‘Nuo Mi Ci’, ‘Huai Zhi’ and the two local selections: ‘BD 5-27’ and ‘BD 17-70’. The following cultivars produce high-quality fruit, but their productivity has been erratic: ‘Fey Zi Xiao’, ‘Late Seedless’ and ‘Kaimana’. The following cultivars have been productive but their fruit tends to be too small: ‘Hei Ye’ and ‘Kwai May Pink’. The following cultivars do not do well on their own roots and have to be grafted: ‘Nuo Mi Ci’, ‘Sah Keng’ and ‘Late Seedless’. Many other cultivars are still being evaluated.
Publication
Authors
M. Goren, E. Tomer, S. Gazit
Keywords
Litchi chinensis, introduction
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