Panicle Bagging for Maturity Regulation, Quality Improvement and Fruit Borer Management in Litchi (Litchi chinensis)

An extended harvesting period, superior fruit quality and free from fruit-borer infestation are the three major trade demands for the litchi industry in India. Panicle bagging with different bagging materials was tried to evaluate its feasibility in fruit borer management, commercial-maturity regulation and quality improvement of litchi fruit. Development of fruits inside bags on the tree (one week after fruit set) avoided the infestation of fruit borer because the bags served as a successful physical barrier against the borer insects. It reduced the cost of production compared with the cost of control by using pesticides. It was also possible to stagger the harvesting period over 30 days because cellophane paper bags advanced commercial maturity by 12 days while maturity was delayed by about 10 days using brown paper or news paper (biodegradable) bags. Quality of fruit was significantly improved under cellophane paper bags, with respect to colour development and TSS/acid ratio compared with the unbagged (control) fruits (24.10 vs. 8.20 mg anthocyanin/100 g of peel and TSS/acid ratio of 51.00 vs. 46.41). The fruits developed inside the bags were superior in quality with no blemishes on peel and free from the risk of hazardous residues of agrochemicals. This quality should fetch a premium price locally and in overseas markets.