The Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute’s Chiayi Agricultural Experiment Branch has developed an advanced flower induction technique using potassium chlorate to boost longan production during warmer winters.
Longan ranks among Taiwan’s top five fruit crops by cultivation area, with 10,437 hectares under cultivation and a total yield of 70,384 tonnes in 2023, the institute said.
Traditionally, longan has been a low-maintenance crop due to its high rate of growth and yield, and resistance to pests and diseases, but in recent years, flowering has declined significantly due to abnormal weather patterns and global warming, resulting in reduced harvests and revenue for farmers, it said.
Photo courtesy of the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute
Since longan flowers are a major nectar source for bees in spring, poor flowering has also led to a drop in honey yields, it added.
By applying potassium chlorate to induce flowering, the rate of panicle formation during mild winters can be increased by 68 percent to 80 percent, the institute said.
The flower-induction technique was first developed in 1998 by Yan Chang-jui (顏昌瑞), a researcher at the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology’s Department of Plant Industry.
Yan observed that longan trees near temples produced more fruit. He discovered that potassium chlorate — a chemical found in firecrackers — had flower-inducing properties, the institute said.
However, the method was not widely adopted in Taiwan at the time, as potassium chlorate was classified as a controlled substance, limiting its accessibility, the institute said.
Additionally, early applications of the technique yielded limited results, because when the chemical was administered to soils, it could not be effectively absorbed by the deep-going root systems of longan trees, it said.
To improve the reliability of longan flowering during increasingly mild winters, the institute refined Yan’s technique by significantly reducing the amount of potassium chlorate administered to each longan tree and administering the chemical directly to the trees’ leaves rather than the soil, the institute said.
Similar to the effects of cold weather, potassium chlorate activates the flowering mechanism in longan trees, helping to stabilize yields, it said.
Spraying the chemical in early spring — typically in the first half of February — can ensure timely flowering and consistent production, especially following a warm winter, it added.
The method also enables early flowering and harvests the following year, helping farmers avoid the typical market glut during peak season and potentially boosting their income.
Applying potassium chlorate to induce longan flowers not only benefits fruit growers, but also supports the beekeeping industry, as longan blossoms are a major nectar source in spring, it said.
With further application, the technique can play a key role in helping the nation’s agricultural sector adapt to the challenges of climate change, it added.
NUMBERS IMBALANCE: More than 4 million Taiwanese have visited China this year, while only about half a million Chinese have visited here Beijing has yet to respond to Taiwan’s requests for negotiation over matters related to the recovery of cross-strait tourism, the Tourism Administration said yesterday. Taiwan’s tourism authority issued the statement after Chinese-language daily the China Times reported yesterday that the government’s policy of banning group tours to China does not stop Taiwanese from visiting the country. As of October, more than 4.2 million had traveled to China this year, exceeding last year. Beijing estimated the number of Taiwanese tourists in China could reach 4.5 million this year. By contrast, only 500,000 Chinese tourists are expected in Taiwan, the report said. The report
Temperatures are forecast to drop steadily as a continental cold air mass moves across Taiwan, with some areas also likely to see heavy rainfall, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. From today through early tomorrow, a cold air mass would keep temperatures low across central and northern Taiwan, and the eastern half of Taiwan proper, with isolated brief showers forecast along Keelung’s north coast, Taipei and New Taipei City’s mountainous areas and eastern Taiwan, it said. Lows of 11°C to 15°C are forecast in central and northern Taiwan, Yilan County, and the outlying Kinmen and Lienchiang (Matsu) counties, and 14°C to 17°C
SHIPS, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES: The ministry has announced changes to varied transportation industries taking effect soon, with a number of effects for passengers Beginning next month, the post office is canceling signature upon delivery and written inquiry services for international registered small packets in accordance with the new policy of the Universal Postal Union, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said yesterday. The new policy does not apply to packets that are to be delivered to China, the ministry said. Senders of international registered small packets would receive a NT$10 rebate on postage if the packets are sent from Jan. 1 to March 31, it added. The ministry said that three other policies are also scheduled to take effect next month. International cruise ship operators
STEERING FAILURE: The first boat of its class is experiencing teething issues as it readies for acceptance by the navy, according to a recent story about rudder failure The Hai Kun (海鯤), the nation’s first locally built submarine, allegedly suffered a total failure of stern hydraulic systems during the second round of sea acceptance trials on June 26, and sailors were forced to manually operate the X-rudder to turn the submarine and return to port, news Web site Mirror Daily reported yesterday. The report said that tugboats following the Hai Kun assisted the submarine in avoiding collisions with other ships due to the X-rudder malfunctioning. At the time of the report, the submarine had completed its trials and was scheduled to begin diving and surfacing tests in shallow areas. The X-rudder,
RSS