Bagging of Litchi Bunches to Harvest Export-quality Fruits

Abstract

Litchi, acclaimed as the Queen of Fruits, is a valuable fruit crop that serves as a lucrative commodity and contributes significantly to the livelihoods and economies of many people. In the northern and eastern states of India, litchi fruits mature during May and June—a period characterized by high temperatures, hot desiccating winds, and low humidity. These conditions often result in severe sunburn and fruit cracking. Additionally, cloudy weather or rainfall during fruit maturity can lead to heavy infestation by fruit borers. These environmental and biotic stresses cause considerable losses in both yield and fruit quality. Bagging of litchi bunches using non-woven polypropylene bags (pink and white) during the fruit development stage (25–30 days after fruit set) has been shown to improve
fruit colour and quality while also providing effective protection against cracking, sunburn, and fruit borer infestation.