RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MATURITY, NUTRITION AND FRUIT STORAGE QUALITY IN KIWIFRUIT

Several studies have been carried out in which fruit attributes such as maturity, nutrient composition and storage quality are measured across large numbers of kiwifruit from different sources. Large data sets like these have been used to determine if there are any links between fruit attributes that are measured at or before harvest, and fruit quality after long-term storage. The data can be used to look at simple relationships such as those between fruit calcium concentrations and fruit firmness after storage. The data can also be used to generate predictive models that determine which factors contribute to poor storage performance. There are two main research strategies linked to the development of predictive models, one is to develop non-destructive technologies that can identify fruit that are likely to have poor storage performance, and to eliminate them from the storage. The second approach is to try to understand what underlying factors cause fruit to have low storage potential, and what orchard factors can be manipulated to lessen the occurrence of fruit that does not store well. This paper summarises research into identifying orchard factors that affect fruit quality. The effects of nutrient status, maturity, health of individual vines and canopy density will be discussed.