Abstract
Abstract The objective of this study is to evaluate the vegetative and productive behavior of kiwifruit trees cv. ‘Elmwood’ submitted to different intensities of pruning, in “Serra Gaúcha” region. Treatments consisted in maintaining different bud load levels in each cane of 10, 15 and 20 buds cane-1. The experiment, carried out during the 2016/2017 vegetative season had a completely randomized design with nine repetitions per treatment. Bud fertility, vegetative, productive and fruit quality features were evaluated. The percentage of mixed buds was higher next to the cane apex in three different treatments, while in the base of each cane ocurred the highest percentage of non sprouting buds. The decrease in the number of buds per cane induced larger leaves and increased leaf dry matter. Longitudinal and transversal diameter of fruits and fruit mass were inversely proportional to the number of buds per cane. Pruning of ‘Elmwood’ kiwifruit tree with different number of buds did not influence the index of real bud fertility, but affected directly leaf and shoot size. Pruning maintaining canes with 10 buds favors the increase of fruit weight and did not reduce productivity.
Highlights
Kiwifruit is the 15th most produced fruit in the world
According to Köppen classification, the local climate is Cfb, and the climatic results observed during the experiment are presented in Figure 1, obtained through meteorological station installed in the experimental area
‘Elmwood’ kiwifruit trees (Actinidia deliciosa) at the age of 13 years were used, grafted on plants derived from seeds of ‘Bruno’ variety fruits (A. deliciosa), conducted in a trellis system
Summary
Kiwifruit is the 15th most produced fruit in the world. World production in 2016 was 4.27 million tons in 277 thousand hectares (FAO, 2017). Brazil is not included in the list of the largest kiwifruit producers; it is a major importer and presents satisfactory soil and climatic conditions for its cultivation. According to Brasil (2017), between January and November 2017, Brazil imported 23.9 thousand tons of fresh kiwifruits, which represented US$ 34.9 million. More than 90% of world kiwifruit production today is based on 48 cultivars and selections of two kiwifruit species: Actinidia deliciosa C.F. Liang et A.R. Ferguson and Actinidia chinensis Planch (ZHEN et al, 2004)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call