Vol. 71 No: 2

Title:
The Timing of Flower Evocation in Kiwifruit

Author:
ANGELA M. SNOWBALL

pp: 335-1000

Abstract:
Previous studies involving the sequential removal of leaves to identify the timing of evocation have indicated that this event occurs in the previous summer. In this study, shoots defoliated during active shoot growth became thinner canes, with more nodes than shoots defoliated after shoot growth had ceased. Buds that formed on actively growing shoots which had been previously defoliated were smaller and less likely to flower than buds that were formed before defoliation took place. No matter how early the defoliation, it did not completely inhibit flowering in the following year. It is suggested that the reduction in flowering associated with defoliation is caused by the removal of photosynthates and available resources for the canes, resulting in weaker shoots, less likely to flower the following year. The data from this study can be interpreted to suggest that kiwifruit flower evocation does not occur in the previous summer, but could occur immediately prior to flower initiation.

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