The Climatic Complexities Litchi Flowering: Physiological and Molecular Perspectives

The “Queen of fruits,” Litchi chinensis Sonn. is esteemed for its delicious fruits developed from apetalous flowers that bloom on terminal portions of the current season's growth. However, its ability to transition between vegetative and reproductive phases is increasingly challenged by climate change. Litchi's sensitivity to climatic variations—including temperature, rainfall, and nutrient availability—profoundly impacts its flowering and fruiting. Deviations from optimal conditions often reduce yield. Climate change also exacerbates the cyclic vegetative flushes litchi undergoes. Typically, three flushes are required to support fruiting, with staggered emergence at 2–3‐week intervals. Altered climatic patterns disrupt this timing, compromising yield. Maintaining an appropriate C:N ratio is also difficult under shifting conditions. At the molecular level, climate change interferes with genes regulating flowering. Key genes like LFY/LEAFY and APETALA are impacted, potentially leading to dis‐regulated flowering. Hormones such as auxins, gibberellins, and ABA, essential for flowering and fruit retention, are also affected. Understanding and mitigating these effects are imperative for sustaining litchi production under evolving conditions.