Me. Hopping et al., COMPARISON OF GROWTH AND YIELD OF KIWIFRUIT ON DIFFERENT VINE SUPPORTSTRUCTURES, New Zealand journal of crop and horticultural science, 21(4), 1993, pp. 295-301
Vine growth, pruning requirements, yield, and postharvest storage of k
iwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) grown on five different vine support st
ructures were compared over 5 years from grafting. Support structures
were winged T-bars and Pergolas (standard structures), Lincoln T-bars,
divided T-bars, and A-frames. Cumulative length of fruiting canes in
the 3 years to full canopy closure was greatest for Lincoln T-bars, A-
frames, and pergolas, and least for winged and divided T-bars. The pro
portion of budbreak was higher on pergolas than on the three T-bar sys
tems and was least on A-frames. Floral budbreak and flowers per floral
shoot were also lower on A-frames than on the other systems. Cumulati
ve yields of export fruit were highest for pergolas and winged T-bars,
and lowest for A-frames. Differences in postharvest storage were dete
cted between fruit from different structures, but these differences we
re not consistent among years. The time required to prune each vine wa
s least for pergolas and winged T-bars. Vines on A-frame structures to
ok substantially more time to prune than vines on pergola structures.