Problems Confronted by Longan Growers in Northern Thailand After the Adoption of Potassium Chlorate

Accession number;05A0579916
Title;Problems Confronted by Longan Growers in Northern Thailand After the Adoption of Potassium Chlorate
Author;NAKATA MIKI(Tokyo Univ., Tokyo, Jpn)   SUGIYAMA NOBUO(Tokyo Univ., Tokyo, Jpn)   PANKASEMSUK TANACHAI(Univ. Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, Tha)   
Journal Title;Japanese Journal of Tropical Agriculture
Journal Code:F0874A
ISSN:0021-5260
VOL.49;NO.2;PAGE.140-146(2005)
Figure&Table&Reference;FIG.3, TBL.7, REF.16
Pub. Country;Japan
Language;English
Abstract;Interviews with longan growers were carried out in Sarapee and Chaiprakarn in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand, in order to determine whether or not the application of potassium chlorate (KClO3) to longan trees improved flowering intensity and yield in commercial orchards. KClO3 application increased the ratio of inflorescences to total number of shoots and fruit yield in the central part of Chiang Mai province (Sarapee). However, fruit size and thickness of the exocarp were decreased, resulting in a lower fruit price. Sales were not increased by the use of KClO3. In northern Chiang Mai (Chaiprakarn), KClO3 application shortened the time until harvest when applied in December, enabling the off-season production of fruits. Therefore, KClO3 application increased the price and sales of longan fruits. These results suggest that the effect of KClO3 application on the profitability of longan cultivation is dependent on climatic conditions. (author abst.)