INTRODUCTION AND REGULATION OF HARVEST PERIOD OF 'ZAOZHONG NO.6' LOQUAT IN THE ZHUHAI AREA OF CHINA

‘Zaozhong No.6’ loquat was introduced to the Zhuhai area of China to determine and regulate phenophase and harvest date. Flower clusters emerged in two phases but the early phase did not bear fruit well. Bearing of the second phase of flower cluster matured early March and ripened 6–15 days earlier than the same cultivar from Fujian province. Poor pollen germination was not the reason early flowers did not bear. The fruits of ‘Zaozhong No.6’ loquat matured early by shading with nets and irrigation, but the picking stage was unaltered by spraying leaves with paclobutrizol (P₃₃₃) or nutrient solution. Harvest period can be regulated by restricting summer flush to bearing shoots, removal of early panicles, shading, fruit covers, and irrigation to reduce air and soil temperatures.