Effect of fruiting cane origin on fruitfulness of hardy kiwifruit, Actinidia arguta

Abstract

Morphology of Actinidia arguta ‘Ananasnaya’ vines was studied at two sites in Oregon, United States in 1998 and at one site in 1999. One‐year‐old fruiting wood was divided into five types/origins: spurs borne from the cordon; 1‐year‐old canes from the cordon; 1‐year‐old canes which grew as a result of summer pruning of last year's growth (1‐year‐old tipped); 1‐year‐old canes borne from 2‐year‐old wood; and 1‐year‐old canes borne from 3‐year‐old wood. Wood type had no effect on percent fruitful shoots or the number of fruit or clusters per metre of cane. One‐year‐old canes produced fruitful shoots along their entire length, but were less productive at the distal part of the cane. The most productive part of the cane was generally from nodes 6–40, depending on site, due, in general, to a higher percentage of budbreak and fruitful shoots. In 1999, budbreak was 47% and 85% of these continued to grow past 0.15 m long, and 83% of these were fruitful. The most productive flowering zone on shoots was from nodes 6–12. Results show that this species of kiwifruit is very fruitful on 1‐year‐old canes regardless of cane origin or length.