MAURITIUS LYCHEE FRUIT-DEVELOPMENT AND REDUCED ABSCISSION AFTER TREATMENT WITH THE AUXIN 2,4,5-TP

Fruit development and abscission in ''Mauritius'' lychee (Litchi chine nsis Sonn.) were studied over three consecutive seasons. Each Season, two distinct abscission periods were observed. The first started lit t he end of full female bloom and continued for approximate to 4 weeks. Of the initial number: of female flowers, 85% to 90% abscised during t his period. The second period began after a lag period of approximate to 1 week and lasted approximate to 2 weeks. About half of the remaini ng fruitlets abscised during this wave. All of these fruitlets contain ed an embryo. The second wave coincided with a period of rapid embryo growth and endosperm loss. Tipimon (a commercial product containing th e triethanolamine salt of the synthetic auxin 2,4,5-TP) consistently a nd significantly increased marketable fruit yield when applied between the two abscission periods. Chemical name used: 2,4,5-trichlorophenox ypropionic acid (2,4,5-TP).