Published in Scientific Papers. Series B, Horticulture, Vol. LXVI, Issue 2
Written by Lavinia Mihaela ILIESCU, Elena Gabriela STAN, Adrian George PETICILĂ, Dorel HOZA, Adrian Constantin ASĂNICĂ, Giuseppe ZUCCHERELLI, Florin STĂNICĂ
In Romania, kiwi is a new fruit specie and the creation, testing and introduction of winter hardy genotypes, adapted to the local harsh climate conditions represent a priority. The first kiwifruit orchards with A. deliciosa and A. arguta were planted in Romania in 1993, at Ostrov (Constanța County), on the border of the Danube River. In the same year, a common Italian-Romanian kiwifruit breeding program was initiated at the Faculty of Horticulture within the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest. Since 1993, research has been carried out to determine the best methods of propagation, growing and kiwifruit orchard management. Genotypes phenology was studied every year in comparison with the climatic data. In parallel, physical and biochemical fruit characteristics were evaluated after ripening and during the storage. After some years of observations and tests, three kiwiberry elites were selected: 'Vip Green’ (R8P23), 'Vip Red’ (R8P20) and 'Green Delight’ (R8P1). Other intra and interspecific crossings using A. deliciosa and A. chinensis were made and from the initial hybrids, some selected genotypes as R0P13, R1P9, R1P8 and R1P12, have good fruit characteristics and yield. The new selections have to be registered as cultivars and can be successfully cultivated on commercial orchards and in private gardens. This paper presents few results of the Actinidia spp. Romanian breeding program. Some fruit quality characteristics of the new kiwi selections and hybrids as average weight, fruit shape index, soluble solids content, dry matter, acidity and ascorbic acid are detailed. After more than two decades of research, it was demonstrated that A. deliciosa and A. chinensis can be grown in Romania in peach favorable areas, while A. arguta (kiwiberry or baby kiwi) can cover larger areas, suitable for plum cultivation.
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