High quality litchi brings a good price


Litchi in Guangdong - In 1998, the area with litchi was 297,000 ha in Guangdong, but the harvest area was only 111,000 ha, (37 %) of the total area. Average yield in the harvested area was 2,956 kg/ha, or 13 kg/tree based on an average of 225 trees/ha. In 1997, the average yield was 12 kg/tree.

Fertilizer Rates for Litchi - In Shenzhen, from July 1998 to July 1999, the traditional fertilizer rate was N 1,520, P₂O₅ 600 and K₂O 1,200 g/tree using urea, KCl and 15-15-15. The soil test based site-specific recommended rate for litchi was N 856, P₂O₅ 342, K₂O 1,070, Mg 86, and S 171 g/tree using urea, DAP, KCl and SPM. From July 1999 to July 2000 at the same site, the local fertilizer rate was N 1,640, P₂O₅ 308, K₂O 380 g/tree using urea and 15-15-15. The recommended rate for the crop was N 600, P₂O₅ 240, K₂O 750, Mg 60, and S 12 g/tree using urea, DAP, KCl and SPM.

Production Costs, Fruit Price and Profits - In Shenzhen, from July 1998 to July 1999, cost of the traditional fertilization practice was $US 343/ha, other costs, including rent, labor, pesticides, etc., were $US 1,463/ha, giving a total production costs of $US 1,806 /ha, with an average yield of 11,700 kg/ha. The cost for the site-specific fertilization was $US 158/ha. By adding the $US 1,463/ha for the other costs, total production costs were $US 1,621/ha. In comparison with the traditional practice, site-specific fertilization increased yield up to 5,544 kg/ha, (47.4 %). Average farm gate price for fresh fruit was $US 1.10/kg. Therefore, net profit for the traditional fertilization was $US 11,036/ha, while net profit for site-specific fertilization was $US 17,305/ha, or $US 6,269/ha more. During the following crop year the profit margin again favored the site-specific practice providing the farmer with $US 4,781/ha more.