Excessive potassium fertilizer intensifies fruit cracking in litchi

Potassium (K) is most important in producing high yield and quality of litchi fruit. However, overdose of fertilizer K can induce fruit cracking when application ratio of fertilizer N : K₂O was far smaller than 1:1. High rates of fertilizer can interfere with calcium metabolism, depress calcium concentration in fruit tissues and induce severe fruit cracking. Thus, good nutrient balance in litchi production is most crucial.