The Effects of Fruit Size On Fruit Quality and Postharvest Life of ‘AU Golden Dragon', ‘AU Golden Sunshine' and ‘Hort 16A' Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis)

The objectives of this study were to determine whether fruit size affects the fruit quality and storage life of three cultivars of Actinidia chinensis.  ‘AU Golden Dragon’, ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ and ‘Hort 16A’ kiwifruit were harvested from the Chilton Research and Extension Center, Clanton, AL.  Three different marketable sizes (small, medium, and large) were used for this study.  The fruit quality of ten fruit per size category was assessed initially, and remaining fruit was placed in cold storage at 0°C with 90-95% humidity.  Fruit quality of ten fruit per size category was assessed every 14 days for the duration of the study.  Regardless of fruit size, the soluble solids (SS) content, internal (golden) color, and the SS:titratable acidity (TA) increased while the firmness and TA of the fruit decreased over time in cold storage.  Fruit size had no effect on the SS:TA, internal color, or % dry matter (DM) in ‘Hort 16A’.  The small ‘Hort 16A’ fruit was firmer in weeks 10 and 14 compared to medium and large fruit.  Fruit size did not affect firmness, % DM, and internal color of ‘AU Golden Dragon’ over time in cold storage.  Small ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ fruit had lower SS, less (golden) internal color development, and greater firmness in the later weeks of cold storage compared to medium and large fruit, which indicates that the small fruit may be stored longer than larger fruit.  Initial fruit quality analysis indicated that ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ medium and large fruit were more mature at harvest, which likely contributed to the reduced cold storage life of the larger fruit compared to the small fruit.   

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