Dr. Narayan Lal: Senior Scientist at ICAR-Indian Institute of soil science, Bhopal, MP, India
1. Article Details
Title: Major Litchi Production Problems in India
Journal: Applied Fruit Science
Article Type: Review Article
Publication Date: 05 February 2025
Volume: 67, Article 38 (2025)
Authors: Narayan Lal, Abhay Kumar, Alemwati Pongener, and S. D. Pandey
This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the major physiological and production-related problems affecting litchi cultivation in India. It discusses important disorders such as flower and fruit drop, omission of male flowers (M1), uneven flowering, irregular and shy bearing, underdeveloped fruits, sunburn, fruit cracking, and pericarp browning during storage. The review also explains how environmental factors, cultivar characteristics, soil conditions, and orchard management practices influence these disorders. By consolidating recent research findings, the article serves as a valuable reference for researchers, students, horticulturists, extension personnel, and litchi growers seeking to improve productivity and fruit quality.
Novelty
The novelty of this review lies in its comprehensive synthesis of the latest information on physiological disorders affecting litchi production in India. Unlike earlier reviews that focused on individual problems, this article integrates multiple production constraints into a single scientific framework. It gives particular emphasis to the recently recognized issue of omission of male flowers (M1), which has emerged as an important factor limiting fruit set and yield. The review also compares the susceptibility of different cultivar groups to various disorders and links physiological problems with environmental conditions and orchard management. Although it does not present new experimental results, the article provides an updated and well-organized perspective that identifies current challenges and future research priorities.
Impact
This review has considerable scientific, agricultural, and practical importance. It enhances understanding of the physiological factors responsible for reduced litchi productivity and fruit quality. By identifying the major production constraints and explaining their causes, the article provides useful guidance for improving orchard management and developing effective mitigation strategies. The information presented can help researchers design future studies, assist extension agencies in transferring knowledge to farmers, and support growers in adopting better cultivation practices. Improved management of these disorders has the potential to increase fruit yield, reduce post-harvest losses, improve marketability, and enhance the profitability and competitiveness of the Indian litchi industry.
Originality
The originality of the article is reflected in its systematic integration of diverse research findings related to litchi production problems into a single, comprehensive review. It brings together information on physiological disorders, varietal differences, environmental influences, and horticultural management that was previously scattered across numerous publications. The review provides an updated understanding of emerging issues such as omission of male flowers and uneven flowering while highlighting cultivar-specific production constraints. Although the article does not include original experimental data, its strength lies in presenting a critical and well-structured synthesis of existing knowledge, making it an important resource for future research, teaching, and practical orchard management.
Experimental Rigor
As a review article, the study does not involve original laboratory or field experiments. Instead, its scientific rigor is based on the comprehensive collection, evaluation, and synthesis of published research on litchi production problems. The authors critically examine various physiological disorders, their causes, and their effects on fruit yield and quality by integrating findings from multiple scientific studies. The review presents evidence-based discussions on cultivar responses, environmental influences, and orchard management practices, providing a reliable and well-organized knowledge base. Although experimental validation is not included, the article demonstrates strong academic rigor through its systematic analysis of existing literature and identification of research gaps.
Sustainability Impact
The review highlights several aspects that contribute to the sustainable production of litchi. By identifying the major physiological disorders responsible for yield losses and poor fruit quality, it emphasizes the importance of improved orchard management, proper cultural practices, and cultivar selection. Effective management of problems such as flower drop, fruit cracking, sunburn, and pericarp browning can reduce production losses, improve resource-use efficiency, and minimize post-harvest wastage. The article also encourages the adoption of scientific cultivation practices that enhance long-term productivity, fruit quality, and economic returns while supporting environmentally sustainable horticultural production under changing climatic conditions.
Applicability
The findings of this review have wide practical applicability for researchers, horticulturists, extension workers, policymakers, and litchi growers. The information can be used to identify production constraints, develop appropriate management strategies, and select suitable cultivars for different growing conditions. Researchers can utilize the review to identify priority areas for future investigation, while extension agencies can use it as a technical resource for farmer training programs. Farmers can apply the recommended orchard management practices to reduce physiological disorders, improve fruit set and retention, enhance fruit quality, and increase overall productivity and profitability. Thus, the review serves as a valuable reference for both scientific research and practical litchi cultivation.
Research Portfolio
Dr. Narayan Lal is a Senior Scientist (Horticulture–Fruit Science) at ICAR–Indian Institute of Soil Science (ICAR-IISS), Bhopal, India. He holds B.Sc. (Horticulture), M.Sc. (Agriculture) in Horticulture, and Ph.D. in Fruit Science, with over 18 years of professional experience in horticultural research, teaching, and extension. His research has significantly contributed to litchi improvement, longan germplasm conservation, agri-horticultural systems, climate-resilient fruit production, and soil–plant interactions. He has developed improved cultivars, registered elite germplasm, secured patents, and published extensively in reputed national and international journals.
Online Profile
Dr. Narayan Lal has established a strong international research presence with 1,376 citations, including 1,070 citations since 2021. His scholarly work has achieved an h-index of 20 (17 since 2021) and an i10-index of 40 (36 since 2021), reflecting the sustained impact and wide recognition of his research in horticultural science, fruit crop improvement, climate-resilient agriculture, and sustainable production systems.
Education
Dr. Lal completed his B.Sc. (Horticulture) from Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV), Raipur, Chhattisgarh in 2007. He earned his M.Sc. (Agriculture) in Horticulture from Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat in 2010, followed by a Ph.D. in Fruit Science from Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (JNKVV), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh in 2018. He also qualified ICAR-JRF (2007 & 2008), ICAR-NET (2012), and ICAR-SRF (2015), demonstrating strong academic excellence throughout his career.
Research Focus
Dr. Lal’s research focuses on fruit crop improvement, particularly litchi and longan, encompassing germplasm conservation, genetic diversity, hybridization, flowering physiology, pollination biology, fruit cracking, sunburn management, reproductive biology, climate change adaptation, nutraceutical properties, agri-horticultural systems, and soil health management. His work integrates horticulture with soil science to develop sustainable, climate-resilient production technologies for enhancing productivity, fruit quality, and farmers’ livelihoods.
Experience
Dr. Narayan Lal has been serving ICAR since January 2013. He currently holds the position of Senior Scientist at ICAR-IISS, Bhopal, after serving as Scientist and Scientist (Senior Scale) at ICAR-National Research Centre on Litchi, Muzaffarpur. Prior to joining ICAR, he worked as Agriculture Officer in Bank of India, Lecturer in the Chhattisgarh State Education Department, Assistant Professor at K.L. College of Horticulture, and Teacher at K.L. Higher Secondary School. His professional career reflects extensive experience in research, teaching, technology development, and agricultural extension.
Research Timeline & Activities
Throughout his career, Dr. Lal has successfully led and collaborated in numerous national and international research projects. His major contributions include the collection and characterization of indigenous and exotic litchi germplasm, development of improved litchi cultivars, molecular fingerprinting using SSR markers, longan germplasm evaluation, and development of agri-horticultural systems for Central India. He has developed three litchi cultivars (Gandaki Lalima, Gandaki Sampda, and Gandaki Yogita), one longan cultivar (Gandaki Longan-1), registered 39 litchi genotypes and 20 elite clones, and identified several promising genetic stocks for future breeding programs.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Lal has received numerous prestigious recognitions for his scientific contributions, including the Global Eminent Scientist Award (2024), Best Scientist Award (2023), Young Horticulturist Scientist Award (2023), Young Scientist Awards (2017, 2018, and 2023), Best Ph.D. Thesis Award (2019), and multiple Excellence Reviewer Certificates from leading international journals. He is a Fellow of the Confederation of Horticultural Associations of India (CHAI) and the Scholars Academic and Scientific Society and holds life memberships in several professional scientific organizations.
“Strengths for the Best Innovator Award”:
- Pioneering Innovation in Litchi and Longan Improvement
- Developed three improved litchi cultivars (Gandaki Lalima, Gandaki Sampda, and Gandaki Yogita) and one longan cultivar (Gandaki Longan-1).
- Registered 39 litchi genotypes and 20 elite clones, creating valuable genetic resources for future breeding and commercial cultivation.
- Contributed significantly to fruit crop improvement through hybridization, germplasm conservation, and molecular characterization.
- Research Excellence Addressing National Agricultural Challenges
- Conducted impactful research on physiological disorders of litchi, including flowering irregularities, fruit cracking, sunburn, pericarp browning, and omission of male flowers (M1).
- Published the comprehensive review Major Litchi Production Problems in India, which integrates current scientific knowledge and provides practical solutions for researchers, extension workers, and growers.
- Generated technologies that enhance fruit productivity, quality, and climate resilience.
- Innovation for Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Horticulture
- Integrated horticulture with soil science to develop sustainable production systems for fruit crops.
- Advanced research on climate adaptation, soil–plant interactions, agri-horticultural systems, and resource-efficient orchard management.
- Promoted environmentally sustainable cultivation practices that reduce production losses and improve long-term farm profitability.
- High Scientific Impact and Knowledge Dissemination
- Established an internationally recognized research profile with more than 1,376 Google Scholar citations, h-index of 20, and i10-index of 40.
- Published extensively in reputed national and international journals, secured patents, and contributed to technology development and scientific capacity building.
- Actively supports knowledge transfer through extension activities, researcher collaborations, and scientific reviewing.
- Leadership, Recognition, and Translational Innovation
- Over 18 years of distinguished experience in research, teaching, technology development, and agricultural extension within ICAR and other institutions.
- Successfully led and collaborated on national and international research projects translating scientific discoveries into practical technologies for farmers.
- Recipient of prestigious honors, including the Global Eminent Scientist Award (2024), Best Scientist Award (2023), Young Horticulturist Scientist Award (2023), and multiple national scientific recognitions, reflecting sustained innovation and excellence in horticultural research.