STRATEGIC USE OF PHYTOHORMONES TO BOOST LITCHI (LITCHI CHINENSIS SONN.) PRODUCTION AND FRUIT EXCELLENCE

Abstract

Litchi, a commercially significant subtropical fruit crop, is highly sensitive to abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and temperature extremes, which adversely affect its growth, flowering, fruit set, and yield.This review synthesizes current knowledge on the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms underlying litchi's response to these stresses, with a particular focus on the role of phytohormones.Hormonal signaling pathways involving abscisic acid, ethylene, auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, paclobutrazol, salicylic acid and maleic hydrazide are critically reviewed for their influence on stress adaptation and reproductive development.The interaction between hormonal networks and environmental cause is discussed in relation to fruit drop, flowering time, and postharvest physiology.The review also highlights recent advances in transcriptomics and metabolomics that elucidate stress responsive gene expression and metabolic pathways.Understanding these regulatory networks provides a foundation for developing stress resilient litchi cultivars through integrated breeding and biotechnological approaches.