Rejuvenation Research And Popularization Of Aged Litchi Orchard

Litchi is a famous local fruit of South China. Grangdong province is famous for its Litchi cultivation in the world, and is one of the orginal districts of Litchi. There are abundant resource and long cultivated history. Recently, the area of aged litchi orchards become more and more, so the rejuvenation must be heeded. This study started in 2000, after 5 years hard research and investigation, we have obtained advantageous consequences.Aged litchi orchard rejuvenation mainly includes two aspects: The first is to rejuvenate the roots. Before branch cutting-back and pruning, the soil has been turned over, deeply ploughed and fertilized and the aged roots have been cut to speed up the growth of the new roots, which not only result in enhancement of soil structure, greater fertility and greater absorbability of the soil, improvement the overall nurture of the tree, but also build favorable vegetative base for resuming growth of the trees after branch cutting-back and pruning. The second step is to take branch cutting-back, branch pruning or top grafting for varietal change to rejuvenate crown of the trees. Different rejuvenation methods are to be adopted according to real situation of different orchards. This step focuses on slight cutting-back for shoot, middle cutting-back for limb, intense cutting-back for bough. For branch cutting-back and pruning for different varieties in different orchards in different years, results of the test show that if management is strengthened enough, whether adopting slight, middle or intense cutting-back, over 70% of the trees can bloom and bearing fruits in the next year. While carrying out branch cutting-back and branch pruning, other managements especially watering and fertilizer management, as well as labor force should be taken at the same time. Contrary, insufficient water and fertilizer or late loosing of the branches will result in late branching, weakness of braches, as well as weakness of the shoots. The outcome will run counter to desireThrough the research, we have made a lot of practical aged litchi rejuvenation technologies and popularization methods. The popularization and application of aged litchi rejuvenation technology are implemented in setting up technology demonstration orchards in district, town and county levels, establishing and publicizing construction models, introducing the technology in agriculture spot meetings, conducting technology training courses, printing and distributing introduction materials, as well as recording it into VCD and broadcasting in the local cable TV channel. The total popularization area adds up to 833.3ha, gained great social and economic benefit. And enhanced yield value 5,200,000ï¿¥. Our research and practice have improved litchi management effectively and the popularization of aged litchi orchard rejuvenation in our city, which realize our aims at enhancing the production and quality of litchis year after year, have been increasing agriculture efficiency and improving income of farmers, It is of great importance for rejuvenation of the aged litchis and improvement of the litchi production management to enhance output and quality of litchi.