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   Fruits 74 (3) 97-109 | DOI: 10.17660/th2019/74.3.1
ISSN 0248-1294 print and 1625-967X online | © ISHS 2019 | Fruits, The International Journal of Tropical and Subtropical Horticulture | Original article
Effects of seasonal climatic variations on physiology and phenology of Litchi chinensis Sonn.in Madagascar

N.R. Solo1, H.P. Ramanankierana1, E. Miasa1, D. Donno2,a, R.H. Baohanta1, E.N. Rakotoniaina3, T. Soifoini4, C. Giacoma5 and G.L. Beccaro2
1 Institut Supérieur de Sciences, Environnement et Développement Durable, University of Toamasina, Madagascar
2 Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Alimentari, Università degli Studi di Torino, Italy
3 Département de Biologie et Écologie Végétales, Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Antananarivo, Madagascar
4 Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université des Comores, Comoros Islands
5 Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi, Università degli Studi di Torino, Italy

SUMMARY
Introduction – The phenology of lychee (Lychee chinensis Sonn.) varies as a function of the developmental stage and season. Number and sex of flowers are dependent on climatic conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the impacts of climate (temperatures and rainfalls) on the lychee tree development. Materials and methods – Plant physiology and phenology were studied in the field during different seasons in four lychee production sites in Madagascar, considering the following stages: flowering, fruit formation, fruit development and ripening. The used phenological codes were based on the extended BBCH-scale and described the growth stages of the lychee plant using a three-digit numerical system. The analysis of auxin (indole-3-acetic acid – IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) contents in different plant parts by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), coupled to a diode array detector (DAD), was performed to evaluate potential different physiological dynamics in leaves from branches with or without flowers. Results and discussion – The climatic stresses showed tree growth difficulties, which were explained by a reversal of the production phases (stages 5 to 9) toward the resumption of the growth phases (stages 0 to 3). Changes of auxin and abscisic acid contents indicated a sensitivity of the plants to climate variability: the leaves contained about 10 mg ABA 100 g-1 dry weight, what is rather low compared to the concentrations of IAA. Based on the BBCH model, the phenological pattern of lychee followed a more marked evolution by phase reversal at a critical point of time, when the stop code leads to growth anomalies. This evolution is considered an anomaly and no longer represents the normal rhythm of the lychee tree development according to BBCH-scale. Conclusion – Unfavourable climatic conditions such as climatic disturbance may be responsible for the tree hormonal imbalance with potential detrimental effects on lychee cultivation in Madagascar: an accurate understanding of these stages is very important for the correct timing of general orchard management, particularly for disease and pest management, as well as irrigation, fruit retention, flower thinning, flush control, fertilizer effectiveness, and application of plant growth regulators (PGRs).

Keywords lychee, Madagascar, BBCH-scale coding system, phenological stages, abscisic acid, auxins, climate

Significance of this study

What is already known on this subject?

  • The phenology of lychee varies as a function of the developmental stage and season.
What are the new findings?
  • This study evaluated the relationships between climatic parameters and lychee physiology and phenology to highlight the impact of climate change on plant development.
What is the expected impact on horticulture?
  • The results of the study may be used as a link between changed climatic conditions and lychee phenology in Madagascar in order to mitigate the effects of climate change for lychee cultivation.

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E-mail: dario.donno@unito.it  

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Received: 24 November 2017 | Accepted: 3 April 2019 | Published: 30 May 2019 | Available online: 30 May 2019

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