Kiwi Orchards Research Articles

Levantamento e caracterização de espécies do nematoide das galhas em quivi no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Quarenta e quatro populacoes de Meloidogyne spp. provenientes de amostras de raizes de quivi, coletadas em pomares e viveiros do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, foram caracterizadas bioquimicamente utilizando-se a isoenzima esterase (Est). Meloidogyne arenaria Est A2 (Rm: 1,20, 1,28) foi a especie mais frequente e ocorreu em 66,65% das amostras. M. ethiopica com fenotipo Est E3 (Rm: 0,92, 1,10, 1,30) foi detectada em 16,66% das amostras, ocorrendo sempre em associacao com outras especies do genero. Tambem foram identificadas M. javanica Est J3 (Rm: 1,00, 1,21, 1,35), M. hapla Est H1(Rm: 1,17), M. incognita Est I1 (Rm: 1,03) e Est I2 (Rm: 1,03, 1,10) em 29,9%, 16,66%, 3,33% e 9,79% das amostras, respectivamente. Uma unica populacao atipica de Meloidogyne sp. (3,33%) com o fenotipo Est L3 (Rm: 1,00, 1,10, 1,30) foi detectada, porem nesse caso, nao foi possivel identificar a especie com seguranca, mesmo quando se recorreu a analise da configuracao perineal das femeas.

EFFECT OF FERTILIZATION AND TRAINING ON THE SENSORY PROPERTIES OF KIWIFRUIT IN ORCHARDS IN NORTHERN PORTUGAL

In our latitude, expectations of the kiwifruit sector regarding kiwi productions with high yields and an adequate fruit size have been fulfilled. Thus, at present, this sector is focusing its efforts towards the quality improvement of fruit sensory properties, highly demanded by the consumer, so as to be competitive in the international market. There are several sensory properties that determine quality in kiwifruit. A kiwifruit is considered to have a good flavour quality standard, when the content rate of soluble solids (°Brix) is the highest when consumed. Dry matter is another parameter internationally accepted as an indicator of the intrinsic quality of kiwifruit. The acidity and the starch content play an important role on the attainment of these quality standards. The aim of the present work is to determine the effect of fertilization and training (T- bar or pergola) on content and evolution of these sensory parameters. Assays were performed during 2007 in kiwi orchards in Northern Portugal (Kiwi Iberica S.A.), taking fruit samples every two weeks from anthesis until harvest. Sensory properties of these fruits were analyzed according to AOAC methods. Results showed that training systems influenced significantly on dry matter, soluble solids, starch content and acidity. Significant differences were also observed between both fertilization practices during the first phases of fruit development; but these differences disappeared in later stages.

Determinación de ventanas de aplicación de plaguicidas en huertos de kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) de la zona de Linares

The objectives of this work were to establish efficacious and non-polluting pesticide application windows for kiwi orchards located in the Linares area, VII Region of Chile; to compare these with the time demands of the spraying schedule and with the effective work capacity of the turbo sprayers available in the market and the area of the orchards. In order to achieve these objectives a 25-year (1976-2000) meteorological data base was processed. The data included daily rainfall, wind speed, maximum temperature and relative humidity. The results showed that, in general, there is sufficient appropriate time available to carry out these applications (Mean=19.0 days/month; Range=15.5–22.8 days/month; S=5.96 days/month), even at high probability levels. The months with the larger number of appropriate days are March and April; this time decreases greatly in January and February due to high temperatures and wind speed (pollution), and in the months of June and July due to high rainfall (not efficacious). The comparison of the spraying program with the magnitude of the windows shows an adequate relationship between them. Given the amplitude of the windows and the work capacity of the existing sprayers, the pesticide applications can be carried out in a timely fashion during the corresponding period. It is possible to program pesticide applications in kiwi orchards of the Linares area in an efficacious and non-polluting manner.

Water production functions in kiwi

The response of kiwi plants (Actinidia deliciosa) to different levels of water application under drip and microjet irrigation methods was studied over a period of 3 years, to determine water-production relationships. Fruit production increases as larger volumes of water are applied up to a level equivalent to 100% of pan evaporation. In addition, water management has an important effect on kiwi fruit production. Evapotranspiration in kiwi orchards increases with increasing levels of water applied. The evapotranspiration is dependent on water demand, applied water, irrigation method used, canopy cover, and water management.

Plant protection problems caused by phytonematodes in Greece1

The major nematode pests of cultivated plants in Greece include root‐knot nematodes Meloidogyne spp. (in almost all plants except citrus), cyst‐forming nematodes Globodera rostochiensis, G. pallida (in potato), Heterodera avenae (in cereals), Ditylenchus dipsaci (in vegetables and ornamental plants) and Tylenchulus semipenetrans (in citrus). Based on observations made on samples examined at Benaki Phytopathological Institute, it was confirmed that serious infestation of new kiwi orchards with Meloidogyne spp. originated from seedlings infested at the nursery. Also the wide distribution of the nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans in citrus orchards was mainly attributed to infested seedlings. The above observations led us, in 1985, to the decision to study the nematological fauna of nurseries in Greece.