ISHS Acta Horticulturae 297: II International Symposium on Kiwifruit
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEAF AREA, LEAF AREA INDEX AND FRUITING IN KIWIFRUIT (ACTINDIA DELICIOSA) |
| Authors: | E. Antognozzi, A. Tombesi, A. Palliotti |
| Keywords: | thinning, crop load, budbreak, fruit size |
| Abstract:
Flowers and fruit of ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit vines were thinned at bud-swell stage and after fruit set stage in Central Italy to identify the most profitable time of thinning. Another purpose was to optimize the ratios between fruit number per unit leaf area, fruit size and number of fruit. The effects of these procedures on bud break and fruiting in the following year were also taken into account. The trial showed the following results: early thinning at bud-swell stage was effective in increasing fruiting; a negative correlation was found between fruit number per unit leaf area and fruit size; a heavy fruit load reduced mainly the number of flowers on fertile shoots, resulting in alternative flower production among years; fruit loads did not influence the percentage of bud break; a fruit density of 23–24 per square meter leaf area allowed an average size class above 90 g to be reached while maintaining a Leaf Area Index with a good light penetration in the canopy. | |
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