Abstract

Although kiwifruit have been grown and exported since decades in Chile, early fruit softening is still an important problem. Some studies relate fruit quality problems to climate, orchard and fruit management and high variability between shoots and fruit within a vine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of kiwifruit at harvest and during cold storage in relation to the position on the plant. The study was carried out in the 2005-2006 season in two different orchards located in the central zone of Chile, between 34°32' and 34°59'S, with two trials in each orchard. The first trial was performed to determine the effect of different fruit positions within the shoot (proximal, middle and distal). The second one was carried out to assess the effect of shoot position along the cane on fruit quality. The evaluations were performed at harvest and after cold storage. Every trial was laid out as a randomised complete block design with 6 single plant replications. Fruits in the proximal position on the shoot and those developed on shoots at the base of canes tended to have higher calcium and soluble solids concentration than those in distal position. A treatment effect was detected regarding fruit softening in one orchard only; fruits from basal shoots had higher firmness than those from distal shoots, when evaluated after 63 days cold storage. In both trials fruit from the less vigorous orchard had better quality at harvest as well as after cold storage.