Litchi Under Stress: Understanding and Managing Nature's Impact on Growth and Fruit Quality

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is an evergreen subtropical fruit crop belonging to the family Sapindaceae, with a chromosome number of 2n = 2x = 30. Botanically classified as a drupe with an edible aril, litchi is valued for its attractive appearance, pleasant flavour, and high nutritional content, particularly vitamin C, antioxidants, and essential minerals. Owing to these qualities, it is often referred to as the “Queen of Fruits.” The crop is believed to have originated in South China and is now cultivated widely in countries such as China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Israel, South Africa, Mauritius, Madagascar and the United States (Kumar 2015).