Effect of artificial defoliation on cane regrowth and fruit development in ‘Jecy Gold’ kiwifruit

• Published in: Horticulture, environment and biotechnology 2015, Environment, and Biotechnology, 56(1), , pp.22-26
• Main Authors: Srisook, Witchaya, Lim, Chan-Kyu, Oh, Eun Ui, Yi, Kyunguk, Kim, Seong-Cheol, Park, Kyo Sun, Song, Kwan Jeong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agriculture; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Life Sciences; Plant Breeding/Biotechnology; Plant Ecology; Plant Physiology; Research Report; 농학
• ISSN: 2211-3452; 2211-3460
• DOI: 10.1007/s13580-015-0119-9

Leaves of kiwifruit have long petiole and large size, so that they are easily damaged by strong wind. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of leaves loss by typhoon damage on fruit quality and yield and new cane growth with artificial defoliation. Five-year-old ‘Jecy Gold’ kiwifruit vines grown in a plastic house were used in this study. Artificial defoliation was done on August 23 (100 days after anthesis) at the different defoliation levels, such as 0 (control), 50, 75, and 100%. Cane regrowth by axillary bud burst, cane bark carbohydrate reserve, and fruit quality and yield were investigated. Severe defoliation at 75 and 100% level showed significantly higher axillary budburst than the control and the 50% defoliation. Especially, the 100% defoliation induced a few abnormal off-season flowering. Starch and sucrose contents were significantly declined during the first 2 weeks after defoliation at the 75 and 100% defoliation. However, other soluble carbohydrate reserves including fructose, glucose, and myo-inositol were not affected significantly. Fruit drop was promoted and the mean fruit weight, firmness, and soluble solid concentrations were lower by the defoliation. Our results indicated that the loss of leaves above 50% would induce a transient shortage of assimilate supply and reduce fruit quality and yield significantly.