ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1058: X International Symposium on Integrating Canopy, Rootstock and Environmental Physiology in Orchard Systems
POTENTIAL OF CLONAL ROOTSTOCKS FOR DEVIGORATION AND ENHANCED FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS IN KIWIFRUIT ORCHARDS |
| Authors: | A.P. Friend, J.W. Palmer, S.M. Seymour , R.N. Diack |
| Keywords: | Actinidia chinensis (Planch.), canopy size, dry matter concentration, fruit quality, TCA, yield |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1058.52 |
| Abstract:
Current canopy management in kiwifruit orchards is labour intensive, involving extensive removal and manipulation of both shoots and leaves. Excessive vigour is a major problem, and is thought to be a factor in the low harvest index of kiwifruit. Commercial kiwifruit culture relies almost entirely on vigorous seedling rootstocks. The development of devigorating, clonal rootstocks would create an opportunity to increase harvest index and vine productivity. A randomised replicated trial of ‘Hort16A’ grafted on to 62 different genotypes was established to evaluate the potential of developing a devigorating kiwifruit rootstock. Consistent differences in vine vigour across the genotypes were identified, with canopy size ranging between 2.1 and 35.4 linear metres of fruiting cane per vine. Yield efficiency ranged between 0.13 and 1.19 kg fresh weight per metre of canopy. A number of genotypes produced fruit with high dry matter concentration (DMC) across a range of vine vigour. Fruit DMC and soluble solids concentration (SSC), ranged from 15.6 to 17.9% and 9.2 to 12.3°Brix, respectively at harvest, with high fruit DMC and SSC occurring across a range of rootstock vigours. The results suggest there is potential to select kiwifruit rootstocks that can control vine vigour and enhance fruit quality. | |
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