Introduction

• Belongs to family Actinidiaceae.
• It is a deciduous climbing vine or shrub grown for its edible fruits.
• The plant is vigorous and woody having fruit oval or ovoid in shape with green-brown skin covered in stiff brown hairs.
• Also known as Chinese goose berry, plant can reach a height of 9 m and have an economic lifespan of 3 years after which fruit production starts to decline.

Climate and soil

• It grows well between 900-1600 m above sea level whenever the climate is warm and humid.
• Strong wind and frost during growing periods are however injurious to the plants.
• Rainfall of 150 cm is sufficient for growth.
• Temperature above 35⁰C is injurious to fruit causing sun burn.
• A deep friable sandy loam soil with well-draining facility is best for growing vines.

Importance

• Rich source of Vitamin C and low in calories.
• Has more fiber than most breakfast cereals.
• Rich source of sugar which are mainly glucose and livulose and several minerals such as phosphorous, potassium and calcium.

Planting

• Vines are trained on T-bar system of training.
• Planting is done in late winter or early spring.
• Plant to plant distance is 6mx4m.
• Flowering begins after 2-3 years of planting but sizeable crops are born after 4-5 years.

Manure and fertilizers

• 20 kg FYM coupled with 0.5 kg of NPK is required for the plot.
• Moisture containing 15% N should be applied in two dressing for each year age of vine.
• Half dose is applied in third of January and Feb. and balance after fruit set in April-May.

Training and Pruning

• Plant needs to be pruned 4-5 times a year.
• Vines can be trained on different system like trellis, pergola and pole system, etc.
• Summer pruning is done in June-July.

Propagation

• Seed propagation is rarely practiced.
• Hard wood cutting is done in dormant period.
• Soft wood cutting is done at 2-3 months old.
• Spraying of IBA (2000 ppm) before planting of cutting enhance the success of rooting.

Varieties

• Hayward, Bruno, Abbot, Allison, Monty, Tomuri, Matua.

Irrigation

• Irrigation is required during 1st 2-3 years of planting.
• During dry season, frequent irrigation is needed.
• Mulching can be done to reduce the irrigation requirement.

Maturity indices and yield

• Fruit should be harvested when they are still hard.
• The delay in harvesting detorates storability.
• Fruits are ready to harvest during November when skin color changes from greenish to full brown.
• 7-8 years of plant yield 50-100 kg fruits/vine.
• Average yield is 250 mt/ha.