Vine Management Systems

Chapter 12 reviews advances in kiwifruit vine-management systems. An extensive section on canopy management encompasses vine architecture, physiology, training and pruning, innovative growing systems and control of vegetative vigour. Managing kiwifruit crop production and fruit quality through establishing an appropriate crop load, girdling and root pruning are described. Modifications of the growing environment, including the use of overhead netting, rain-out shelters, fruit bagging and reflective mulches, are presented. Finally, the use of plant-growth regulators for budbreak and flowering, fruit growth and vigour control are reviewed.