Important diseases of litchi and their management

Abstract

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a juicy fruit belonging to the Sapindaceae family and is one of the most important evergreen fruit trees. Diseases are one of the constraints on the production of litchi fruits. They indirectly reduce yield by debilitating the tree and directly reduce the yield or quality of fruit before and after harvest. Diseases are more important after harvest, although undoubtedly many of the fruits are infected before picking. Some of the pathogens infect leaves, flowers, and fruit, and a few others are associated with tree decline and tree deaths. Some pathogens also affect multiple phenophases of this fruit crop. So far, only diseases caused by fungal pathogens have been reported. This chapter provides information on the major diseases of litchi in terms of their importance, symptoms, and management strategies.