S19 - Session O6 - Fruit drop in kiwi berry orchards cultivated in Europe

Authors: Fabien Bec*, Amélie Valadas

SOFRUILEG SA, an R & D company specializing in the evaluation and introduction of new varieties of Actinidia, initiated in 2010 the culture of new varieties of berries from Actinidia Arguta, Hortgem Tahi in southwestern France, then in the Italian Piedmont and in northern Portugal. The adaptation of neozelandian selection trees has provided a new range of berries in the European market. The productivity of trees is variable according to the different growing areas, and the culture techniques used. Some technical barriers remain that sometimes generate significant yield losses from 30 to 70%. One of the most encountered technical issues, some are the production areas, is the fall fruit before harvest. Since 2018, experiments have been conducted for on the one hand characterize the different stages of the phenomenon, and on the other hand looking for the main cause. The physiology of fruit-carrying twigs was analysed. The maturities of harvested fruits and cultural practices, in particular the management of fruit load and irrigation have been studied. For this last point, moisture measurement tools have been installed. The preliminary results do not show a direct link to the variety or physiology but show the possibility of punctual water stress suffered by the root system.