An Advancement in Postharvest Biology and Fresh-Keeping Technology of Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.): A Review

Abstract

Kiwifruit is a climacteric fruit that may decay rapidly and softens after harvest if not stored properly. How to expand the storage time of kiwifruit to maintain the quality, is a critical challenge for the kiwifruit industry development. Kiwifruit’s post-harvest life is tied closely to post-harvest management, such as scientific harvesting, green preservation, ethylene management, and low-temperature storage, as well as texture and quality. This study focuses on the advancement of related research from four perspectives and explores their impacts on kiwifruit storage in order to give a theoretical foundation for breeding varieties with superior storage capacity, and the development of storage and preservation technologies. Hayward and Hort16A varieties of kiwifruit had been cultivated largely in past but now, yellow-fleshed Sun Gold, Gold 3 and Gold 9, Hongyang, Maohua Cuixiang, Xuxiang, etc. are becoming significantly famous in international commerce. For the best postharvest quality, kiwifruit must be stored at low temperatures. Fruit quality, harvesting maturity, ethylene production, storage life, green preservation, and pathology are the priorities in breeding projects. To take advantage of adequate germplasm resources, reproductive biology understandings are needed.