KIWI

Kiwi is also known as “Chinese Gooseberry”. It is a rich source of Vitamin B and C and also minerals such as calcium, potassium and phosphorus. Kiwi fruits are eaten as such or can be served in the form of deserts or salads. It is also used for making vines and squashes. In India it is mainly grown in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Kerala and Meghalaya. Kullu, Shimla, Mandi, Solan and Sirmaur are the major regions in Himachal Pradesh suitable for kiwi farming.

Kiwi starts bearing fruits at the age of 4-5 years and commercial production of fruit starts at the age of 7-8years. Harvesting is done in the month of October to December. Harvesting of hard fruits is done for long distance transportation. As hard fruits become soft in two weeks and becomes edible for eating.

After harvesting, grading is done according to the weights. After grading kiwis are kept in the refrigerators. They have good keeping quality and can be stored for 8weeks. Then packing of fruits is done for sale purpose and for long distance transportation.

Leaf roller caterpillar: It is a group of caterpillar which ties leaves around themselves with the help of silken threads and destroy by feeding themselves on fresh leaves.

Treatment: To control leaf roller caterpillar spray of Quinalphos@600-800ml by mixing in 200ltr of water.
 

• Pest and their control:

Blossom thrips: It is black or yellowish brown color thrips which punctures and suck the sap of the flowers.

Treatment: To control thrips spray of Triazophos or Rogor@300-400ml by mixing in 200ltr of water.
 

Bacterial blight: The signs are yellowish petals and brown sunken spots are seen on the petals. The disease enters the plant through wounded areas.

Treatment: It can be controlled by spraying of M-45@400gm/150 ltr of water.
 

Bleeding canker: The symptoms are rusty cankers seen on the branches of the plant.

Treatment: The disease is controlled by the pruning of affected branches. Mainly pruning is done about 12 inches below the canker.
 

Crown gall: It is a bacterial disease which gets enter through wounded areas on the plant.

Treatment: Give three sprays of 50g streptocycline +25gm copper sulphate in 300ltr of water at the interval of 20 days.
 

Botrytis fruit rot: It is also known as gray mould. The disease causes shriveling of fruits and gray color growth is seen at the stem end. The disease is mainly caused in rainy or in high humidity weather.

Treatment: It can be controlled by spraying of 300-400gm copper oxychloride per acre.
 

• Disease and their control:
  

Root rot: The disease is mainly caused by doing farming in poorly drained soils and having excessive moisture content in the soil. The symptoms are reddish brown color roots and crowns are seen.

Treatment: It can be controlled by drenching of 300-400gm copper oxychloride per acre.
 

During initial five years, intercropping with vegetables or leguminous crops is done as it is beneficial for crop growth.

Inter-cultural operations are effective for the removal of weeds.

At the initial period of growth, irrigation is required (i.e. in September to October month). Irrigation is given at the interval of 10-15days is good for crop growth. 

A basal dose of FYM@20kg and NPK mixture @0.5kg containing 15% N is applied every year. After 5 years, Urea@2kg, SSP@3kg and MOP@1.5kg are applied each year.

The fertilizer dose of urea is applied in two equal splits i.e. half to two third dose is given in January to February month and rest of the dose is given in April to May month after fruit set. The nutrient dose is given 20-30cm deep and 30cm wide trenching.
 

Training is mainly done to give proper support to the plant. In the first season, support the main branch of the seedling with stake. In the second season, encourage the growth of the first two arms also known as cordons opposite to each other and tie it with the wires. And then in the next year training of the lateral shoots is done perpendicular to the cordons. Pruning is done in third year, so as to leave 15-20 lateral canes across the cordons of the vine. In the fourth year, the structure of the kiwi vine is all set.

Time of sowing:
The planting is done in January-February month.

Spacing:
In T-bar system, use row spacing of 4m and plant to plant spacing of 5-6m.
In pergola system, use row spacing of 6m.

Method of sowing:
T-bar method
Pergola method
 

Shelter preparation: As wind is the major limiting factor, kiwi fruit requires shelter for its good growth. To protect crop from wind kiwi requires shelter.

Steep land is required for kiwi farming. To bring the soil to fine tilth, thoroughly land is prepared. Preparation of pits and filling the pits with FYM is all done in December month.
 

Hayward: They have broad and flat fruit. The variety requires more chilling hours. 

Abbott: It is an early flowering and early maturing variety. It has medium sized and oblong shaped fruit. The fruits are very sweet in taste.

Allison: It is an early ripening variety. The fruits are sweet in taste.

Monty: Highly prolific bearer. It is a late maturing and early fruit maturing variety. It has good size and oblong shaped fruits.

Bruno: The variety requires less cold temperature. The fruits have tapering base. It has dark brown color fruits which are short in size and is dense.

Other state varieties:

Tomuri: It is a late flowering variety.
 

It is grown in variety of soils but sandy loam soil having good drainage system is good for kiwi farming. A soil having pH slightly less than 6.9 are best for obtaining maximum yield. Avoid farming in heavy wet soils as it will affect the growth of plant.