Kiwifruit

Question 1

Botanical name
family
origin

Answer 1

Actinidia deliciosa
Actinidiaceae
1954 the Chinese Gooseberry was first grown
as a commercial crop and exported to England.
A few years later it was renamed Kiwifruit

Question 2

Nutrition

Answer 2

Rich source of Vit C
Skin-Good source of flavonoid
Seed contains on average 62% aplha linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid
Contain vit E & a small amount of Vit A & K

Question 3

Health benefits

Answer 3

Scientists believe that Na to K ratio is critical for heart health. This ratio is extremely favourable
High Vit C makes an effective immunity booster
Regular consumption ensures good eye health prevents Macular degeneration
Contain Inositol – excellemt way of treating depression

Question 4

Botany
Characteristics
foliage

Answer 4

A Vigorous, woody, twining deciduous vine
A healthy Kiwifruit vine can cover an
area of 9 metres
deep green,young leaves have red hairs,mature leaves have no hairs,oval/circular and 20-25 cm

Question 5

Flowers

alititude

Answer 5

Dioecious
Male & female flowers on the separate plants
Commercial Kiwifruit
600-1200 m
actnidia domestica
wild kiwifruit Bhutan
Actinidia sp
Elevations 
1400-3000m

Question 6

Climate

Answer 6

Mean Optimum temperature
Maximum: 14-16oC, winter
Minimum: 14-25oC, summer
Annual Rainfall: 130-163cm

Question 7

Chilling & Frost

Answer 7

Chilling Requirement: 600-1100 hrs below 7Oc
Requires 6-8 mths frost free -2oC
Autumn & Spring woody growth is damaged at below - 8oC.
Dormant vines survive - 10oC.

Question 8

Commercial Kiwifruit varieties

Answer 8

Actinidia chinensis: Golden Kiwifruit
Pointed cap, smooth skin, yellow flesh
Local kiwi: Related Species of Kiwifruit
Actinidia callosa, Climbing shrub 7-10m 
Fruit: oblong & cylindrical 3-1.5cm, brown hairs turning purple
     Actinidia strigosa

Question 9

Propogation

Answer 9

a variety of methods,
from seed
from hard cuttings
softwood cuttings
root cuttings.
The easiest method - softwood cuttings-Use summer months cuttings when the tree is actively growing.
Take current season’s growth and should possess 2-3 nodes
Do not use cuttings from immature growth (shoots end).
Strip of all but the top-most leaf.
Use Rooting hormone (indole-3-butyric acid).

Question 10

Pollinizers

Answer 10

Wind  and insect pollinated plants
Ratio 1:5 or 1:6
3-5 beehives/ac in commercial scale
Female –not attractive to bees
However, while searching male pollen, accidently 
pollinate female flowers

Question 11

Fertiliser & Manure

Answer 11

Heavy nitrogen demanders
Heavy fertilisation rates are used in commercial operations.
Aim promote vine vigour & quick canopy cover

Minimum 150kg N/ha, 2 times per

Question 12

Pruning

Answer 12

After blooming: head back cordons 1-2 m.

1/3 to ½ of fruiting laterals are thinned out.
renew fruiting arms every 2-4 years
remove dead and dying wood
Thin to control quality & biannual bearing
After petal fall. Thin to 33-38 fruit/m2 of canopy

Question 13

Harvesting

Answer 13

Index: soluble solids reach 6.25% - 8%.

Pick by hand snapping stalk, or clip very close to the base of the fruit.

Take care not to bruise the fruit

Question 14

Pests & Diseases

Answer 14

Leaf roller caterpillar, thrips, scale, root eel worm

Botrytis, Budrot, Sclerotina Root rot