Selection of kiwifruit for the highlands of Thailand

摘要

Kiwifruit is one of the temperate-zone fruits that the Royal Project Foundation has aimed to develop into commercial production in the highlands of Thailand due to its high price, a great market demand and low pesticide application. Kiwifruit research has been carried out since 1976. Cultivars such as Bruno, which required high chilling accumulation, were only trialed at the Angkhang Royal Agricultural Station. More recently, research was carried out to evaluate and select for new, low-chilling cultivars of both male and female types. In 2003, following introduction of 19 new cultivars, evaluations for horticultural characteristics were conducted at two centres, the Royal Angkhang Agriculture Station, Fang District, and the Royal Inthanon Agriculture Station (Khun-Huay-Haeng), Jom-Tong district, (1400 and 1200 metres above mean sea level, respectively). These studies revealed that three cultivars (Yellow Joy, Yellow Queen and China no. 4) were productive. The results showed that Yellow Joy, introduced from Japan, had the best production and qualities at the Royal Inthanon Agriculture Station, with an average fruit weight of 120.2 g and an average total soluble solid of 13.8° Brix. It was harvested in October. In addition, 55 out of 591 seedlings from open-pollinated flowers of unknown cultivars produced fruit at the Chiang Mai Royal Agricultural Research Center (Khunwang), Mae Wang district, (1300 m above mean sea level). Some open-pollinated seedlings showed promising characteristics and further tests need to be carried out in other locations. The results suggested that Yellow Joy could be introduced to farmers.