The accumulation of macro and micronutrients during 'Bengal' litchi panicle and fruit development was studied. Panicle and fruits were sampled every one or two weeks. Fruits were separated from panicles since 35 days after anthesis and in pericarp, aril and seed since 77 days after anthesis. Macro and micronutrients were analyzed in each component. The accumulation of macro and micronutrients in panicle and fruit followed, basically, the respective patterns of dry matter accumulation in these organs. The greatest amounts of N and K were found in the panicle. At 112 days after anthesis, the aril was the main local for K (58,6%), P (56,3%), N (43%), S (36,7%) and Cu (43,5%) accumulation. The highest fractions of Ca (75,6%), Fe (71,1%), Mg (47,4%) and Mn (58,1%) were observed in the pericarp and, in the seed, the highest fraction of Zn (34,3%). The order of nutrients exported by fruits at 112 days after anthesis was: K > N > Ca > Mg > P > S > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu.
litchi mineral nutrition; dry matter accumulation; nutrients exportation
