Productivity of Actinidia kolomikta cultivars and fruits chemical composition

Abstract

Actinidia kolomikta is a very valuable horticulture plant because of a high level of vitamin C in fruits. Hardy kiwi was introduced in Lithuania about 100 years ago. In Lithuanian University of Agriculture seedlings of Actinidia kolomikta have been selected and investigated since 1972. In 1996 four cultivars of A. kolomikta 'Lande', 'Paukštes Sakarva', 'Laiba' and 'Lanke' were entered in "Lithuanian National List of Plant Varieties". These cultivars are characterized by particular chemical composition, tolerant to the surrounding conditions and low temperature, diseases and pest resistant. Twenty years investigation results show that the cultivars differ in their productivity. The purpose of this work was to investigate and evaluate yield and chemical composition of A. kolomikta fruits. The amount of dry matter, soluble solids, vitamin C and soluble sugars was determined. The investigation data shows that 'Lande' produces the biggest yield of fruits - 16.041 ha'. The biggest amounts of dry matters were established in fruits of'Laiba' cultivar plants - 23.95 %. The highest content of soluble solids (12.57 %) was accumulated in 'Lande' fruits. The biggest amounts of vitamin C were in fruits of'Paukstes Sakarva' -4670 mg kg-1. Dispersive analysis showed no significant differences among total soluble sugars content in fruits of different A. kolomikta cultivars.