Effects of different bud loading levels on the yield, leaf and fruit characteristics of Hayward kiwifruit

The effects of different levels of bud loading on the yield and some leaf and fruit characteristics in Hayward cultivar (A. deliciosa) in the province of Ordu, Turkey were examined during two growing seasons in 2000-2001. Six years old kiwifruit vines were pruned to carry the loads of 120, 180, 240 or 300 buds/vine on the canes with 12 buds. The study determined probable total leaf area (PTLA), probable total leaf number (PTLN), probable total leaf weight (PTLW) and yield per vine. Mean fruit weight (MFW) and soluble solid contents (SSC, %) of fruits were expressed. In addition, unit leaf area/100 g fruit weight (ULA/FW) was calculated. Leaf characteristics were examined in 3 periods of the growing season. Correlations between yield, leaf and fruit characteristics and treatments were determined. The result of the experiment, namely mean leaf area (MLA), mean leaf weight (MLW), PTLA, PTLN, PTLW ranged between 185.51-194.17 cm2, 7.98-8.67 g, 21.047-58.61 m2/vine, 1,129.6-3,035.3 number/vine, 9.04-25.68 kg/vine, respectively. The mean yields of vines loaded with 120 and 300 buds were 34.84 and 100.96 kg/vine (12.19 and 35.34 ton/ha), respectively. Mean leaf area and mean leaf weight increased with increasing levels of bud loading, whereas MFW and ULA/FW decreased. There was a negative relationship between MFW, SSC and yield, and a positive relationship between MLA, PTLA and yield. ULA/FW ratio was between 581.88-611.54 cm2 according to the bud loading level. Fruit size diminished as a consequence of dense canopies in both levels of bud loading (120 and 300 buds/vine). Unit leaf area per fruit weight ranged between 581.88-611.54 cm2/100 g, with respect to the bud loading applications. Increasing levels of bud loading resulted in reduced ULA/FW ratio and affected yield and some leaf and fruit characteristics.