Journal of Taiwan Agricultural Research

Author:Jer-Way Chang*, Chung-Ruey Yen, Wan-Ling Wang, Mau-Nan Liu, and Jen-Yu Chang

Abstract:

    The novel litchi cultivar ‘Tainung No.7 (Early Big)’ was selected from progenies of the maternal parent ‘Sah Keng’ at Chiayi Agricultural Experiment Branch, Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute. The breeding program started in 1982 while the Plant Variety Right of this cultivar approved by the local authority in 2010. The cultivar was named for its ‘early’ harvesting season and ‘big’ fruit. In southern Taiwan, it can be harvested in early to late May, about 10 days prior to the commercial earlyseason cultivar ‘Yu Her Pau’ and 17 to 21 days prior to commercial mid-season cultivar ‘Hak Ip’ or ‘Sah Keng’. Its production costs are lower than that of ‘Yu Her Pau’, yet it bears similar number of fruitlets on a panicle with the high yielding cultivars ‘Sah Keng’ and ‘Hak Ip’. ‘Tainung No.7 (Early Big)’ litchi also has good fruiting ability and has no obvious alternate bearing, according to the results of varieties comparison and regional trials. The weight per fruit is about 25 to 35 g, with red peel, elliptic or cordate fruit shape, mild-sweet and juicy aril. With these special characteristics, it makes the cultivar valuable for commercial production and marketing. By taking advantages of early harvesting and the aforementioned characters, it will greatly eliminate problems of introducing this litchi variety to the market of Taiwan.

Key words:Taiwan, Litchi breeding, ‘Yu Her Pau’ litchi, ‘Hak Ip’ litchi, ‘Sah Keng’ litchi

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