Abstract
The effects of the frequency and timing of lateral branch girdling and crop load on the fruit quality of kiwifruit cv. ‘Rainbow Red’ (Actinidia chinensis) were studied. In addition, the effects of the position and consecutive application for 3 years of girdling on callus development and tree growth were also examined. As a result, lateral branch girdling showed a tendency to increase the fruit size and promote ripening. On the other hand, fruit color development appeared to be reduced by application. Girdling once within 30 days after full bloom, setting the number of fruit at 1 to 2 per bearing branch, was shown to be the most appropriate approach. In 3 years of consecutive application, the fruit size increased stably in all years, and the negative effects on the growth and number of flowers were not observed in girdled branches. Girdling of secondary scaffold limbs did not heal and the fruit size was smaller with this treatment than that with lateral branch treatment. These results suggest that lateral branch girdling is effective to increase the fruit size of ‘Rainbow Red’.
