Effect of Low Temperature on Avocado, Litchi and Papaya in Kagoshima Prefecture from December 2015 to January 2016

Abstract

In Tarumizu, Kagoshima Prefecture, the lowest daily temperatures of -1.2°C and -6.3°C were recorded on December 18, 2015 and January 25, 2016, respectively. Some tropical and subtropical fruit trees suffered from the cold weather. In avocado ‘Pinkerton’, after the tree encountered a low temperature of -1.2°C, the flower buds, flower clusters and some leaves were browned. After encountering a low temperature of -6.3°C, the tree died. ‘Bacon’ and ‘Duke’ avocado cultivars did not receive the cold damage after encountering a low temperature of -1.2°C. However, after encountering a low temperature of -6.3°C, the flower buds, leaves and thin branches were browned and died. In both cultivars, new shoot extended and new leaves expanded in the spring. In litchi, after encountering a low temperature of -1.2°C, young leaves and a part of flower clusters were browned. After encountering a low temperature of -6.3°C, the tree died regardless of cultivars. Papaya did not receive the cold damage after encountering a low temperature of -1.2°C, but died after encountering a low temperature of -6.3°C regardless of cultivars.