Effect of Fruit Orientation on the Quality of Litchi ( Litchi chinenesis Sonn ) under the Agro-Climatic Conditions of Dera Ismail Khan – Pakistan

Effect of fruit orientation on the quality of litchi (litchi chinensis. Sonn) was studied in five cultivars viz; Purbi, Bedana, Bombai, Serai and Gola. Fruit was picked from upper and lower half portions of the tree and was subjected to physio-chemical analysis. Significant difference was found for all the parameters studied. The fruit at lower half was heavy in weight, pericarp and flesh with high acidity. However, stone weight, pH value, Vitamin C content and non-reducing sugars were found more in fruits collected from upper half of the tree. Picking might be started from lower half of the plant to get superior quality fruits.