Abstract:

Productivity and quality of kiwifruit is much dependent on the efficiency of the pollination. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of complementary artificial pollination on production and nutritional quality of ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit produced in northwest Portugal. Treatments included dusting with pollen once at 50% (T2) or 75% (T3) of blooming, or in both situations (T4) and also spraying with a liquid pollen suspension once at 75% of blooming (T5). Control trees were free pollinated (T1). Experiments were repeated in 3 consecutive years. Results showed higher production of the best commercial kiwifruit size (85-105 g) in T3 treatment, followed closely by T2 and T4, being lower in T1 and T5. Ascorbic, maleic and pyruvic acids were higher in T2, oxalic and citric in T5, while malic acid showed no differences. The sugars content (glucose, fructose and sucrose) showed higher content in T5. In conclusion, according to the results of this experiment, artificial complementary pollination is beneficial for ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit production and nutritional quality when applied as dry pollen close to 75% full bloom.