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Kiwi cultivation (Himachal)

Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) is a deciduous, dioecious climber that is grown commercially in the mid-hill belt of Himachal Pradesh, with smaller plantings in Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Meghalaya. India's first commercial kiwi orchard was established at Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Solan, in 1985, and the university remains the lead institute for kiwi research and extension in the country.

Key characteristics

  • Scientific name: Actinidia deliciosa
  • Growing belt: Solan, Sirmaur, Mandi, Kullu and Shimla districts of Himachal Pradesh; similar elevations in adjoining hill states
  • Recommended cultivars: Allison, Abbott and Bruno among female fruiting types, with Tomuri or Matua as pollenisers
  • Yield: 60-70 kg/plant/year on average; mature vines bearing 100 kg and more

Cultivation

Plants are propagated through hardwood and semi-hardwood cuttings or grafting and planted at spacings of around 5 x 6 m on the T-bar or pergola trellis system. A pollinator-to-female ratio of about 1:8 is maintained. Vines require well-drained loamy soils at elevations of 800-1,800 m and a frost-free flowering window. Annual winter pruning, summer training and drip irrigation are essential. Brown manuring or hand-pollination is sometimes used in dispersed plantings.

Pest and disease profile

Major problems include leaf spot, root-collar rot, scale insects and mealybug. Bird damage and hail are seasonal risks in hill orchards.

Adoption and use

Himachal Pradesh is the leading commercial kiwi-growing state in India; production also supplies regional markets through model project subsidies promoted by the National Horticulture Board. The package of practices developed by UHF Solan provides the technical backbone for new plantings.

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References

  1. Kiwi. NHB model project report.
  2. Kiwi cultivation on mid hills of Himalayan mountains. Abhinava Krishi.