Bud break, bud and shoot development in several Actinidia species; Comparisons with kiwifruit

Shoots on vines of ten Actinidia species were examined throughout an annual cycle of development (spring to spring). Individual vines of the following genotypes were included in the study, A. arguta (female), A. chinensis (male, female), A. deliciosa (male, female), A. eriantha (male, female), A. guilinensis (male, female), A. hemsbeyana (male, female), A. latifolia (male, female), A. melanandra (male), A. polygama (female), A. valvata (male). The proportion of buds which broke and the proportion of buds which formed flowering shoots were calculated for each species. The number of flowers per shoot and the nodal positions of flowers on each shoot were determined. Shoot growth in terms of length and node number was measured throughout the growing season. Axillary shoot buds, which develop into next year's shoots, were examined by dissecting microscope from inception as a simple primordium in spring to fully-developed dormant buds in winter. The number of leaves and the number of axillary structures in the buds were counted, enabling the full picture of bud growth and development throughout the season to be determined.