The development of fruit shape in kiwifruit: Growth characteristics and positional differences

Abstract

The distribution of normal and aberrant shaped flower buds and floral clusters was examined for a sample of kiwifruit vines. Normal, flat and fan shaped flowers, and floral clusters were described relative to their position along a lateral shoot and to the position of the shoot along a cane. The total number of flowers was greater on lateral shoots at more distal regions of the cane than on proximal shoots. The proportionate number of flat and fan shaped buds was similar among all but the most proximal lateral shoots on the cane. No flower was found distal to the nine proximal nodes of a lateral shoot. Flat and fan shaped flower buds were maximal at nodes 3 and 1 of the lateral shoot respectively. Possible pathways by which fans and floral clusters may arise are discussed. Growth of normal and flat fruit was compared from anthesis to maturation. There was no significant difference in relative rates of increase in length or in maximum and minimum diameters between the two fruit types. The evolving shape of...