Abstract

Longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour) is well known for its immense valued fruits and derived products having pharmaceutical and nutritive properties. It is cultivated in various countries of the world from more than 2200 years. FAO report and horticulture database of Asia pacific countries up to the year 2015 show that China and Australia contribute to the major share of its production and trade. This crop when managed properly serves as a source of farmer income in these countries. Know-how of production management of this crop based on their locality and climatic conditions can really help farmers to carry out its commercial cultivation. Whereas, on the other hand, horticulture status of countries like India reflects the scope to establish and explore production management of this crop. The upsurge in its production in last few years in Asia pacific region by the contribution of China, Vietnam and Australia sat an example to the countries like India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, etc. for carrying out its commercial cultivation. There are few geographical areas among these countries which have similar climatic conditions to that of longan producing countries among Asia pacific region. But for commercial cultivation information of all aspects of production and postharvest management is mandatory, which has been explored and compiled in this review. Furthermore, the short shelf life of fruits with a wide range of postharvest use gives the opportunity to explore new postharvest processing and preservation methods which have been covered in this review. This review emphasizes all important cultivation and postharvest practices followed in the Asia pacific region right from the selection of varieties, cultivation practices, special cultural operations and postharvest management. This review also puts light on remedies for challenges and problems which occur at the various levels of cultivation, harvesting, postharvest handling and processing. The management practices at both pre-and post-harvest handling stage holistically play an important role for farmers/growers returns of this possible future crop.