The Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute's Chiayi Agricultural Experiment Branch has developed a method to enhance longan flower production using potassium chlorate during warmer winters. Longan, a top-five fruit crop in Taiwan, covers 10,437 hectares with a yield of 70,384 tons in 2023.
Historically, longan is low-maintenance due to high growth rates and resistance to pests. However, recent weather anomalies and global warming have reduced flowering, impacting harvests and revenue. Longan flowers are essential for bee nectar in spring, and poor flowering affects honey yields.
Potassium chlorate application can increase panicle formation by 68% to 80% during mild winters. Developed in 1998 by Yan Chang-jui at the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, the technique was initially limited by potassium chlorate's status as a controlled substance.
Early applications faced absorption issues due to deep root systems. The institute refined the method by reducing potassium chlorate quantities and applying it directly to leaves. This activates the flowering mechanism, ensuring stable yields.
Spraying in early spring, usually in February, ensures timely flowering after warm winters. This method allows early harvests, helping farmers avoid market gluts and potentially increasing income. It also supports beekeeping, as longan blossoms provide spring nectar.
The technique may aid Taiwan's agriculture in adapting to climate change challenges.
Source: Taipei Times