Assesment of climatic conditions for Actinidia arguta cultivation in north-eastern Poland

Abstract

This study analysed the effects of weather conditions on the growth and yield of five cultivars of Actinidia arguta, also called hardy kiwifruit, kiwiberry cultivated during 2005-2014 in the Experimental Garden of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, north-eastern Poland. The following cultivars were studied: 'Figurnaja', 'Kijevskaja Gibrydnaja', 'Kijevskaja Krupnoplodnaja', 'Purpurovaja Sadovaja' and 'Sientiabrskaja'. For each cultivar, the following were determined: yielding and the beginning dates of the following phenophases: budswelling, flowering, fruit setting, fruit maturity and the plant growth stages. For the phenophases, the following values were calculated: mean daily temperature (°C), sum of effective temperatures (>5°C and >10°C) and sum of precipitation (mm). Individual phenophases of the analysed cultivars of hardy kiwifruit started in a given year almost on the same dates and demonstrated high year-on-year variety. The largest differences (in four weeks) between the extreme dates were recorded for the fruit maturity of the Actinidia arguta. The differences between the extreme dates of other phases averaged two weeks. Simulated data satisfying the assumptions of the assumed climate change scenarios (GISS model E) were used in order to obtain information about future climatic conditions in which kiwiberry could be cultivated in the region of north-eastern Poland. Using the weather generator WGENK, 300 probable variants of weather sequences were generated in annual periods, which made it possible to examine the probable diversity of future weather conditions. Comparative characteristics of climatic indicators determined on the basis of the data from the 2005-2014 years and the generated data demonstrated that the climatic conditions of the area of north-eastern Poland could be subject to significant change, particularly in thermal resources. Spring frosts, which in the future could be more intense and could emerge much later than now, continue to pose an element of risk related to Actinidia arguta cultivation.

Effect of kiwiberry pre-storage treatments on the fruit quality during cold storage

“…Planch ex Miq., also known as mini kiwi, kiwiberry, baby kiwi or hardy kiwifruit, names which all refer to small smooth fruit with edible green or red skin, is a promising fruit species, suitable for cultivation in temperate climate (Bieniek et al, 2016). Global commercial production of kiwiberry is continuously increasing (Latocha et al, 2015 b).…”

“…In contrast to kiwifruit, kiwiberry peel can be considered as an additional source of those compounds (Kim et al, 2009;Latocha et al, 2015 b;Wojdyło et al, 2017). Furthermore, A. arguta plants show good winter hardiness as well as short growing and maturation period (Bieniek et al, 2016), hence, it can be grown in temperate climate zone. Apart from the abovedescribed attributes, postharvest storage ability and fruit storage characteristics are of great importance, especially in the case of commercial production.…”

Yielding and fruit quality of several cultivars and breeding clones of Amelanchier alnifolia grown in north-eastern Poland

“…Concerning all determined mineral elements, the K content was measured at the highest level in the Saskatoon berry fruit, which agrees with Mazza (2005) and Rop et al (2012) studies. The high contents of minerals -in particular K, Ca, P and Mg-in fruits of the Saskatoon berry allow considering them as fruits with health-promoting properties, similarly to fruits of hardy kiwi, which has recently been introduced into cultivation also in north-eastern Europe (Bieniek et al, 2016). Bieniek (2012) and Bieniek and Dragańska (2013) reported the following order of the mean contents of the discussed macroelements in its fruits: K (16.78) > N (9.8) > Ca (3.55) > P (3.2) > Mg (0.7) > Na (0.65).…”

“…It is very resistant to frosts reaching even up to −50°C, which is its great advantage enabling its cultivation in the countries of colder climate. Due to climatic conditions, the range of species that can be introduced to commercial cultivation in the countries of north-eastern Europe is limited (Bieniek et al, 2016).…”

Phytochemical parameters and antioxidant activity of new cherry silverberry biotypes (Elaeagnus multiflora Thunb.)

“…Consumers are also looking for tasty, natural foods produced in an uncontaminated environment. Particular attention is paid to less-known plants growing in various climatic zones, and then introduced to cultivation outside their natural origin [1]. Plants that meet these criteria include Far Eastern species, especially those from the Elaeagnaceae family, which are gaining increasing popularity.…”