Effect of Summer Pruning on Some Vegetative Characteristics of Vine and Fruit Quantity and Quality Traits of Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa cv. Hayward)

The present study was conducted as a factorial study in a randomized complete block design on Hayward cultivar kiwifruit vines for two years. The first factor included the intensity of summer pruning in four levels, and the second factor included pruning time at two levels. The results showed that fruit yield and size were affected by the interaction of pruning intensity and pruning time, and the leaf-to-fruit ratio, light transmission through the canopy, and fruit firmness were affected by pruning intensity. The highest yield, with 126.2 kg/vine, was observed in zero leaf pruning one month after fruit set. Pruning after 3-4 leaves after the last fruit and pruning after the last fruit reduced the leaf-to-fruit ratio and increased light transmission from the canopy of kiwifruit vines. Different pruning treatments increased the firmness of the fruit by about one unit compared to the control, but had no significant effect on the amount of soluble solids, vitamin C, and dry matter. According to the results of this experiment, zero leaf pruning within four weeks after fruit set and pruning after 3-4 leaves after the last fruit within a week after fruit set showed better effects on vine growth, yield, and some quantitative and qualitative traits of the fruit.