Investigation and Identification of Fungal Diseases of Kiwifruit in Qiandongnan Prefecture

[Objectives]The paper was to investigate and identify the fungal diseases of wild and red heart kiwifruit in Qiandongnan Prefecture.[Methods]The pathogenic fungi were isolated from diseased leaves and fruits of wild and red heart kiwifruit by tissue separation method.DNA sequencing was carried out by using the sequence analysis of ribosomal r DNA-ITS region,and molecular evolutionary trees were built by using MEGA 4.0 software.Finally,the pathogenic fungi were classified and identified by combining morphological observation.[Results]The main fungal diseases were anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on wild kiwifruit,fruit anthracnose caused by C.acutatum on red heart kiwifruit,leaf soft rot caused by Fusarium incarnatum on red heart kiwifruit,and brown spot caused by Alternaria alternata on red heart kiwifruit.[Conclusions]The study may provide some theoretical basis for the control of kiwifruit diseases in Qiandongnan Prefecture.

Efficacy of a Kiwifruit Extract (PhenActivTM) on Gastrointestinal Tract Function: A Randomised Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

Objective: Gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort is experienced by millions of people every day. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of PhenActivTM, a novel green kiwifruit extract, on gastrointestinal tract (GIT) function in otherwise healthy adults. Methods: 41 healthy adults with mild GI discomfort were enrolled in this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Participants were randomized to either take 3.0 g/day of PhenActivTM or a placebo for 6 weeks. Interviews were conducted at baseline, week 3 and week 6, with participants completing questionnaires regarding GI symptoms. Frequency of bowel movements was self-recorded daily. Results: There were no differences in daily and weekly defecation frequency and stool characteristics in either group. The active and placebo groups significantly improve GSRS scores (p , only the active group had a significant improvement in the IBSSS and PAC-QOL scores (p < 0.05) from baseline. Neither group had changes in sleep quality, quality of life and fatigue, plasma zonulin concentrations or macular pigment optical density scores. The product was well tolerated with no GI disturbances or adverse events being reported. Conclusion: Supplementation of 3.0 g/day of PhenActivTM for 6 weeks did not improve defecation frequency or stool composition in healthy adults, but did improve perceived symptoms of GIT function, including symptoms of functional GIT disorders, IBS and constipation. The product was well tolerated and future trials investigating higher doses with more participants and/or a different population would be beneficial.

Pre-harvest spraying of oxalic acid improves postharvest quality associated with increase in ascorbic acid and regulation of ethanol fermentation in kiwifruit cv. Bruno during storage

The kiwifruit trees(Actinidia deliciosa cv.Bruno)were sprayed with 5 mmol L-1 oxalic acid(OA)or water(as control)at 130,137 or 144 d after full-blossom,and then the fruit were harvested at commercial maturity and stored at room temperature(20±1)℃ for 13 d.The effect of pre-harvest spraying of OA on postharvest quality of kiwifruit was evaluated during storage.The OA spraying slowed the increase in soluble solids content(SSC)and decrease in titratable acid(TA),as well as increased contents of ascorbic acid(AsA)and total-AsA accompanied with higher AsA/DHA ratio in kiwifruit during storage.Moreover,the OA spraying significantly reduced the contents of acetaldehyde and ethanol in kiwifruit,along with significant decrease in activities of enzymes involved in ethanol fermentation metabolism during the later period of storage,which was beneficial to control off-flavor associated with over accumulation of ethanol during postharvest.It was suggested that pre-harvest spraying of OA might maintain the postharvest quality of kiwifruit in relation to delay in fruit ripening,AsA maintenance and regulation of ethanol fermentation.

Growth and physiological responses of four kiwifruit genotypes to salt stress and resistance evaluation

In this study,four genotypes(Acva-1,Acva-2,Acva-3 and ZM-2) of Actinidia germplasm resources were grown in different NaCl concentrations(0,0.4,0.8 and 1.2 g L–1).The growth,physiological and biochemical indicators were measured,and a graded scale was developed as the salt damage index(SDI) according to different damage symptoms in leaves.The results showed SDI increased gradually,and average number and length of new shoot decreased significantly.Three antioxidant enzymes(superoxide dismutase,peroxidase and catalase) and two osmotic adjustment substances(soluble sugar and proline) showed different changes in old and new leaves of four genotypes.SPAD values exhibited a decreased trend in the whole except in the new leaves of Acva-2.Malonaldehyde contents increased and root activity decreased with the increasing salt concentrations.Principal component analysis was used to assess the salt tolerance,and the results showed Acva-3,from Actinidia valvata Dunn.,had the strongest tolerance to salt,and could be a potential resistant resource to the salt-tolerance dedicated rootstock breeding of kiwifruit.

Kiwifruit(Actinidia chinensis)R1R2R3-MYB transcription factor AcMYB3R enhances drought and salinity tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana

Kiwifruit is an important fruit crop that is highly sensitive to environmental stresses,such as drought,heat,cold,water logging and phytopathogens.Therefore it is indispensable to identify stress-responsive candidate genes in kiwifruit cultivars for the stress resistance improvement.Here we report the isolation and characterization of a novel kiwifruit R1R2R3-MYB homolog(AcMYB3R)whose expression was induced by drought,salinity and cold stress.In vitro assays showed that AcMYB3R is a nuclear protein with transcriptional activation activity by binding to the cis-element of the kiwifruit orthologue of G2/M phase-specific gene KNOLLE.The Arabidopsis transgenic plants overexpressing AcMYB3R showed drastically enhanced tolerance to drought and salt stress.The expressions of stress-responsive genes such as RD29A,RD29B,COR15A and RD22 were prominently up-regulated by ectopic expression of Ac MYB3R.Our study provides a valuable piece of information for functional genomics studies of kiwifruit and molecular breeding in improving stress tolerance for crop production.

Reducing nitrogen fertilization of intensive kiwifruit orchards decreases nitrate accumulation in soil without compromising crop production

Excessive nitrogen （N） fertilization of high value horticultural crops is a common problem that not only increases the cost to farmers, but also negatively affects crop growth and the environment. A three-year field experiment was conducted in an intensive kiwifruit orchard in Shaanxi Province, China to compare the effects of reduced N fertilization applied as urea （U）, and controlled release urea （CRU） on the N nutrition of kiwi vines, fruit yield and quality, and nitrate-N accumulation in the soil profile. The three treatments included a conventional N application rate （CF-U, 900 kg N ha-1 yr-1 as urea）, two reduced N fertilization treatments where the amount of N fertilizer applied as U and CRU was reduced by 25％ in 2013 and 2014, and by 45％ in 2015. The 25 and 45％ reduced N treatments had no adverse effects on the N concentrations in leaves and pruning branches and the fruit yield and quality of kiwi vines. However, they significantly enhanced the partial factor productivity of applied N （PFPN） and the economic benefits, and reduced nitrate accumulation in the 0-200 cm soil profile. The same benefits of reduced N fertilization were observed for both the U and CRU treatments, but the CRU treatment had the added benefit of decreasing the loss of nitrate through leaching. We concluded that the current level of N fertilization in kiwi orchards is very excessive, and reducing the N fertilizer rate by 25-45％ could not only guarantee fruit yield, but also reduce N accumulation and loss.

1-MCP Regulates Ethanol Fermentation and GABA Shunt Pathway Involved in Kiwifruit Quality During Postharvest Storage

Kiwifruit(Actinidia deliciosa)‘Bruno’is prone to accumulate ethanol rapidly after respiratory climacteric during storage at ambient conditions without stresses,which causes quality deterioration of the fruit associated with alcohol off-flavor.For maintaining the postharvest quality of kiwifruit‘Bruno’,the effects of 1.0μL•L^−11-methylcyclopropene(1-MCP)treatment on regulating the ethanol fermentation andγ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)shunt pathway associated with control of alcohol off-flavor were investigated during storage at room temperature(24±1)°C for 27 days.The results showed that 1-MCP treatment significantly reduced the respiration rate,ethylene production,decay rate,ascorbic acid(AsA)loss,and delayed the decline in the firmness and titratable acidity(TA),and the increase in total soluble solid(TSS)in kiwifruit.Furthermore,1-MCP treatment effectively inhibited the increases in contents of acetaldehyde,ethanol,and GABA along with the suppressed activities of key enzymes involved in ethanol fermentation and GABA shunt pathway,such as pyruvate decarboxylase(PDC),alcohol dehydrogenase(ADH),glutamate decarboxylase(GAD),and GABA-transaminase(GABA-T)in kiwifruit during storage.In conclusion,1-MCP treatment efficiently regulated the ethanol fermentation and GABA shunt pathway by delaying the ripening process to avoid the alcohol off-flavor development,thereby contributed to maintaining the quality of the kiwifruit.

Resistant Evaluation of Kiwifruit Rootstocks to Root Zone Hypoxia Stress

In this thesis, 10 species of kiwifruit rootstocks were treated with hydroponics hypoxia to study their root zone hypoxia tolerance. The results were as follows: growth of all kiwifruit seedlings was inhibited. The max length of new root, plant height, plant biomass, root activity, relative growth rate of leaves, and content of chlorophyll in leaves under root zone hypoxia stress obviously declined comparing with control. MDA content, relative conductance in the leaves and roots all increased in 10 kinds of kiwifruit seedlings. The sensitivities of 10 kinds’ kiwifruit seedlings to hypoxia stress were obviously different. With the method of subordinate function and cluster analysis, the adversity resistance coefficient of 10 kinds’ kiwifruit seedlings, were comprehensively evaluated in order to appraise their hypoxia-tolerance abilities. According to the results, “Hayward”, “Qinmei”, “Jinxiang”, “Kuoye”, “Huayou” kiwifruit seedlings held higher tolerance to root zone hypoxia stress, while “Hongyang” kiwifruit seedlings were sensitive to root zone hypoxia stress. The others, including “Xixuan”, “Maohua”, “Jinhua”, “Shanli” kiwifruit seedlings kept moderate resistant intensity to root zone hypoxia stress. The kiwifruit seedlings’ resistance order from strong to weak was: “Hayward” > “Qinmei” > “Jinxiang” > “Kuoye” > “Huayou” > “Xixuan” > “Maohua” > “Jinhua” > “Shanli” > “Hongyang”.

Alginate oligosaccharide improves resistance to postharvest decay and quality in kiwifruit(Actinidia deliciosa cv. Bruno)

Kiwifruit is an extremely perishable fruit;postharvest disease and senescence during storage can reduce the fruit quality,resulting in economic loss.Considerable research effort has focused on identifying safe and cost-effective ways to preserve fresh kiwifruit.To this end,the present study investigated the effects of alginate oligosaccharide(AOS)soaking treatment on postharvest quality and disease in the‘Bruno’variety of kiwifruit.The involved physiological mechanisms were further explored.The results showed that AOS did not inhibit the growth of Botrytis cinerea in vitro,the causal agent of gray mold in kiwifruit,but reduced the incidence of gray mold and diameter of lesions of kiwifruit during storage.Kiwifruit treated with 50 mg·L-1 AOS showed a higher degree of firmness and lower soluble solid content than control fruit treated with distilled water.Moreover,AOS treatment inhibited the activity of polygalacturonase and pectinesterase,while enhancing the activity of polyphenoloxidase,l-phenylalanine ammonia lyase andβ-1,3-glucanase related to pathogen defense,and also improved total antioxidant capacity determined by the DPPH,FRAP,and ABTS methods in kiwifruit.These results indicate that 50 mg·L-1 AOS can confer disease resistance in kiwifruit during storage.

Cell Ultrastructure of Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) Shoot Tips During Cryopreservation

The changes in the cell ultrastructure of in vitro cultured shoot tips from dwarf genotype of kiwifruit （Actinidia chinensis Ganmi 5） during cryopreservation were investigated. Shoot tips were preserved in liquid nitrogen using vitrification, and the cell ultrastructure was examined using transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. The regular ultrastructure of the cell wall, cell membrane and nucleus of shoot tips could be damaged during the freezing and thawing associated with preservation using liquid nitrogen. The cell plasmolysis was increased and freezing tolerance was improved after precultufing and dehydrating in a preservation and vitrification solution （PVS2） （30% glycerol （Gly）＋ 15% ethylene glycol （EG）＋ 15% dimethylsulfoxide （DMSO） ＋ 0.4 mol L^-1 sucrose）. The structure of some cells with low degree of injury and reversible damage was similar to that of the control and they could undergo normal cell division and differentiation. Besides, they could recover automatically and regenerate after their reculture.

Development Status and Countermeasures of Kiwifruit Industry in Sichuan Province

The kiwifruit industry is one of the dominant agricultural industries in Sichuan province. A kiwifruit industrial zone with Cangxi county,Dujiangyan city,Shifang city,Pengzhou city,Pujiang county,Qionglai city and Dayi county as the core; An county,Beichuan county, Ya'an city,Wenchuan county et al. as radiation zone has been developed during the last 30 years. The kiwifruit cultivation area has reached to 2. 97 × 10 4 hm 2 with an annual fresh kiwifruit output of 1. 3 × 10 5 t; and the production value was nearly 110 million RMB in 2011. The production acreage and yield ranked the second over the country. Advice and ideas were proposed based on the circumstance and problems of kiwifruit industry in Sichuan. According to the advantages of developing kiwifruit industry in Sichuan,measures including strengthening scientific and reasonable planning,optimizing industrial layout,speeding up the breeding,adjusting product structure,standardizing demonstration garden, integrating and innovating the key technology,setting up research alliances,and fostering the leading enterprises were put forward.

Factors Influencing Bacterial Canker Disease of Kiwifruit and the Control Countermeasures

Survey was conducted to investigate the occurrence laws of bacterial canker disease of kiwifruits in Liupanshui area, Guizhou Province, and the patho- gens and hazard symptoms of the canker disease were introduced. The results showed that the factors influencing the occurrence of bacterial canker disease of ki- wifruit were identified as inter-species resistance, agronomic traits, meteorological and ecological conditions, cultivation and management techniques and fertilization levels. Techniques for the comprehensive control of kiwi canker disease were stated, and control suggestions were proposed.

Indoor Screening of Bactericides against Kiwifruit Bacterial Canker

[ Objective ] The paper was to screen the effective agents against kiwifruit bacterial canker in Wanzhou District of China. [ Method ] Ten kinds of com- mon commercial bactericides preliminarily screened were selected for indoor antibacterial test using paper plate method and plate streaking method, and six kinds of bactericides with good antibacterial effects were further screened for indoor toxicity test. [ Result] Chloramphenicoloethylicin had the best antibacterial effect, with EC50 of 36.34 rag/L; followed by Xintianxlucai No. 6 and embamycin, with EC50 of 83.21 and 92.34 mg/L, respectively. [ Conclusion] Cldoramphenicoloethylicin, Xintianxiucai No. 6 and embamycin screened in the test had good antibacterial effect against kiwifruit bacteriai canker in Wanzhou District, and chlorampheni- coleethylicin was the most effective agent. These three agents could be directly applied to control kiwifruit bacterial canker in production, while application time and climate conditions in fields should also be considered during the actual application process. It is suggested that three agents can be used alternatively in order to de- lay the resistance of plants.

Occurrence Regularity and Prevention and Control Technology of Kiwifruit Root Rot

Kiwifruit root rot is an important root disease of kiwifruit, which has occurred increasingly in recent years. The disease leads to the death of whole kiwifruit plant under severe condition, and has become an important disease restricting kiwi fruit industry development. The characteris-tics, occurrence, etiology and symptoms of kiwifruit root rot were introduced in the paper, and the prevention and control technology against the dis-ease were put forward from the aspects of agriculture, biology and chemistry.

Current Situations and Countermeasures of Development of Kiwifruit Industry in Guizhou Province

On the basis of current development situations of planting, scientific research and processing of kiwifruit industry in Guizhou Province, the paper analyzes main factors restricting development of kiwifruit industry, including lack of unified planning, standardized planting specifications, and backward management of kiwifruit orchard. In accordance with current development situations and restricting factors, the paper presents some countermeasures for development of kiwifruit industry in Guizhou Province, including scientific planning, optimizing variety structure, management of cultivation technology, training of kiwifruit farmers, as well as marketing.

The Effects of Green Kiwifruit Ingestion on Digestive Health, Blood Flow, Skin Health, and the Autonomic Nervous System

We aimed to assess the impact of consuming two Zespri Hayward green kiwifruit a day on 11 healthy women subjects over a period of 4 consecutive weeks. We analyzed the effects of kiwifruit consumption on intestinal, abdominal, and bowel movement related discomfort, bowel movement frequency, peripheral blood flow, skin health, and autonomic nervous system activity. This study was a randomized control trial, consisting of a four-week intervention period. Participants were divided to ensure equal age distributions and then randomly placed into two intervention groups: a kiwifruit consumption group (n = 11) and a control group (no kiwifruit consumption) (n = 5). The kiwifruit consumption group was instructed to consume two kiwifruit a day during the 4-week intervention period, while subjects in the control group were instructed not to consume kiwifruit for the duration of the study. Besides a restriction from eating yogurt and other fruits, subjects were requested to eat their meals as per usual. The results of this study showed a significant decrease in intestinal, abdominal, and bowel movement discomfort, and a significant increase in bowel movement frequency, at 4 weeks of kiwifruit consumption compared to before consumption. In addition, subjects in the kiwifruit consumption group experienced a significant increase in blood flow, particularly in the index and middle finger at 2 and 4 weeks of kiwifruit consumption. Furthermore, subjects in the kiwifruit consumption group experienced a significant increase in skin brightness at 4 weeks of kiwifruit consumption compared to before consumption. The results of this study suggest that kiwifruit appears to be a delicious and safe option for intestinal, abdominal, and bowel movement discomfort interventions for healthy women. In addition, kiwifruit may aid in increasing bowel movement frequency, peripheral blood flow, and brightness of skin among healthy women as well.

Climatic Experiment on Guizhou Red Heart Kiwifruit Ulcer Disease

Using the climatic data, such as extreme minimum temperature and relative humidity, in 15 bases in the main planting area of Guizhou Red Heart Kiwifruit from December 1st to next April 30th, respectively, from 2010 to 2018, combined with the monitoring of red heart kiwifruit ulcer disease, we analyze the occurrence and prevalence of meteorological factors and dynamic characteristics of the red heart kiwifruit ulcer disease in Guizhou, China. The results showed that the main period of occurrence and prevalence of red heart kiwifruit ulcer was from March to April. In winter, when the daily average temperature of 5 d and above is ≤2&#176;C, the daily extreme minimum temperature is ≤&#8722;2&#176;C, and the daily average relative humidity is ≥75%, it is beneficial for the ulcer pathogen to lurk and propagate in the plant. It is suggested that this meteorological condition should be used as an early warning indicator for the prevention of ulcer disease of red heart kiwifruit, in order to actively organize prevention after the emergence of early warning indicators to improve the prevention and treatment effect. In spring, the average daily temperature of 5 d and above is ≤18&#176;C, and the daily average relative humidity is ≥80%, which is easy to induce ulcer disease. It can be seen that the first is the winter climatic conditions to meet the breeding of ulcer disease, and then the spring climatic conditions must also meet the rapid propagation of ulcer disease, ulcer disease can occur, develop and popularize. It is of great practical significance to carry out experiments on the relationship between the occurrence of ulcer disease in Guizhou red heart kiwifruit and meteorological conditions.

Effects of Different Drying Methods on Physiological Activities of Kiwifruit

[Objectives] This paper was to clarify the effects of different drying methods on the physiological activities of kiwifruit,so as to provide theoretical bases for the drying processing of kiwifruit.[Methods]With kiwifruit as the research object,the effects of hot air drying,microwave drying,and vacuum freeze drying on the active ingredients in dried kiwifruit were studied,and antioxidant activity of the ingredients were determined through the scavenging capacity of 1,1-phenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals( DPPH),hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity and the antioxidant capacity of ferrous ions.[Results] Vacuum freeze drying greatly reduced the physiological activities of kiwifruit,followed by microwave drying.Hot air drying was the best choice for dehydration of kiwifruit.Under the same conditions,the total flavonoid content of kiwifruit from hot air drying was 70.12 mg/ml,and the DPPH· free radicals scavenging ability of the treatment solution was the strongest,with the scavenging rate reaching 9.42%.The OH radicals scavenging rate was the highest at the concentration of 0.015 mg/ml,reaching69.92%.The absorbance reached the maximum at the concentration of 0.025 mg/ml,and the ferrous ion reduction capacity was also the greatest with the absorbance of 2.542.[Conclusions] Hot air drying could well maintain the shape and nutrients of kiwifruit,making it a proper drying method for kiwifruit processing.

Isolation and Identification of Pathogenic Fungi in Kiwifruit during the Storage Period

[Objectives]The paper was to identify the pathogenic species of postharvest diseases of kiwifruit.[Methods]The pathogenic fungi were isolated from diseased kiwifruits during the storage period,and cultured to observe their culture traits and morphological characteristics.Molecular biological identification and pathogenicity test were carried out to confirm the main pathogens.[Results]There were 7 species of pathogenic fungi causing kiwifruit diseases during the storage period,including Alternaria spp.,Botryosphaeria dothidea,Phomopsis/Diaporthe spp.,Pestalotiopsis sp.,Pseudocercospora sp.,Colletotrichum sp.,and Botrytis cinerea.[Conclusions]The research will provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of postharvest diseases of kiwifruit.

New Variants of Wild Red-fleshed Kiwifruit in Jiugongshan Region and Their Application Prospect

The collection of wild kiwifruit germplasms has already proved its worth with the development of valuable new kiwifruit cultivars.Through field investigation and consulting the existing literature,this paper illustrates that Jiugongshan region in China is a unique gene bank of excellent wild kiwifruit germplasm resources on the boundary between Hubei and Jiangxi provinces.It is also one of the important birthplaces of breeding materials for new kiwifruit cultivars in China.The paper introduces the main characteristics of two wild red-fleshed kiwifruit germplasms discovered in this region,and one of them is a new large-fruited variant of wild red-fleshed kiwifruit.The main fruit qualities of the large-fruited form are that short fruit stalk,large fruit(the maximum fresh fruit mass of about 81.2 g),moderate sweetness and sourness,reddish to red inner pericarp,the ripe fruit soluble solids content 14.10%,total sugar 8.84%,total acid 1.18%,vitamin C 644.3 mg/kg.It is expected to be cultivated into a new edible cultivar(line)or ornamental and edible cultivar(line)of Actinidia chinensis,which has a broad prospect of development and utilization.