Flowering and fruiting rootless cuttings of kiwifruit

Fully-functional flowers and young fruit were produced in vitro on rootless, one-bud kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) cuttings. The cuttings were made from dormant canes with diameters of between 7 and 10 mm, lengths of at least 150 mm, and weights of more than 12 g. Cuttings made from nodes 5, 10, and 15 on canes were more successful for flower production than cuttings made from nodes 20 and 25. The cuttings were grown in water or dilute nutrient solution and the new shoots bore flower buds. Anthesis only occurred on shoots which were modified by removing the shoot tip and all but one leaf and its subtended flower bud. Earlier shoot modification resulted in more flower buds reaching anthesis. Competition between reproductive and vegetative structures appeared to be a major factor determining the degree of flower development. The use of this system as a tool in different areas of research is discussed.