The door is opening for commercialization of Ruanzao kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta) in China

The fruit of Actinidia arguta have the reputation of having short storage life and shelf life, and this has limited the development and commercialization of the species in China for many years. However, the winter hardiness of the vines, and the excellent flavor and unique convenience of the fruit attract farmers, fruit sellers and consumers. In recent years, this has stimulated interest in wild resources. We describe some cultivars and selections of A. arguta used in the initial commercial orchards established in northeast China. The door of commercial production is opening because vast areas in north, northwest and northeast China are ready for new crops, although some technical problems need to be solved. Chinese orchardists are still confronting difficulties in cultivation of A. arguta, such as selection of suitable orchard sites, selection of pollinizer male vines, training and pruning. We summarize attempts to overcome these difficulties under different conditions.