Commercial Litchi farming so far is done by large farmers who are capable of sustaining long gestation period and failure of crops. When the tree is full of vigour, the dominance of vegetative phase prevails over reproductive phase in some varieties and at some locations which adversely affects flowering, fruit set and fruit growth, and some times fruit drop due to high competition for photosynthates also become limiting factor to litchi production. Besides, there are many pests, diseases and disorders which affect the economic cultivation of litchi. It has been observed that orchardists owner or contractors are active in their orchards only when flowers or fruits are present on the trees for rest of the period, the take little care of their orchards. To maintain vigour, growth and productivity, is necessary to perform proper operations throughout the year. The main reason behind poor productivity and low profitability of litchi is the poor knowledge of farming community.
In litchi, some problems arise due to growers’ negligence and other s are brought about by pests, disease, disorders, plant physiology and climate. Growers’ negligence/mistakes may occur in setting up an orchard, drainage, irrigation systems, selecting varieties, planting fertilizing, shaping the plant, weed control, mulching, pruning and canopy management, use of growth regulators, harvesting, packing, marketing and quality management. Other problems such as pest, disease and fruit disorders may occur by their own or may aggravate due to negligence of farmers. Many books and information bulletin on litchi are available however most of them are of facts oriented which often lack in operational guidelines. This book has been prepared in problem solving mode in such a way as readers can easily understand and adopt the litchi technology which have been developed by different knowledge groups for betterment of the litchi industry. We hope that this book would serve the purpose of farmers and those who are engaged in litchi industry.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Vishal Nath
Prof. Vishal Nath, Ph.D. and ARS has completed his Master's degree from Narendra dev University of Agriculture and Technology, Faizabad during 1990. He completed his Ph.D. degree from Kanpur in (Horticulture) through Agricultural research services (Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi) in the same year. After completion of his Management Training of NAARM, Hyderabad, he joined at central Institute for Sub-tropical Horticulture, Lucknow during 1993-94. Prof. Vishal Nath served as Scientist (Horticulture) at NRC for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner (now Central Institute of Arid Horticulture from 1994 to 1999. He joined as senior scientist at central Horticultural Experiment Station (IIHR), Ranchi on 13.12.1999 and served upto 31.03.2001. From April, 2001 to May, 2005 Prof. Vishal Nath worked with Horticulture Experiement Station (IIHR) ranchi April, 2001 to May, 2005 Prof. Vishal nath worked with Horticulture and Agro-forestry research Programme (ICAR research Complex for Eastern region) as Senior scientist (Horticulture) from where he moved as professor (Horticulture) at Borsa Agricultural University, Ranchi on 19.05.05 Prof. Vishal nath joined as principal Scientist & head, central Horticultural Experiment Station (IIHR), Bhubaneswar on 01.07.2006. Apart from his contribution to National Agricultural Research System (NARS), he has wider exposure to Hi-tech Horticulture being practiced in developed countries like Israel. Prof Vishal Nath has exclusively worked on fruits of major and minor importance being grown in arid and semi-arid and minor importance being grown in arid and semi-arid and minor importance being grown in arid and semi-arid regions and under waste land conditions. He has developed many technologies and varieties of different fruit crops suitable for resource poor areas. He has written several technical bulletins, extension folders and information brochures on these aspects. Prof. Vishal Nath has authored very important books on aird horticulture, LItchi and Fruit Production Technology for Plateau regions which has been widely appreciated by the readers and farmers. Prof. Vishal nath has more than 200 publications on different fruits which includes research papers, polular article, technical bulletins, research manuals and information bulletins in his credit. prof. Vishal nath has wider experience of research, extension and teaching across the country.
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