Use of plant bioregulators in kiwifruit Production

In kiwifruit, plant bioregulators (PBRs) have found several applications. In nursery, auxin containing compounds (NAA and IBA) are used to enhance root formation in woody and herbaceous cuttings; in micropropagation techniques, auxins are routinely used to promote root formation and cytokinins to induce shoots proliferation. In field conditions, the application might start very early in the season. During dormancy, dormancy breaking agents (Dormex, Hi-cane, Citokin and Armobreak) are used to overcome lack of chilling requirements enhancing bud break and fertility. Therefore, after blooming, auxins, gibberellins (Triclopir, Spray Dunger Global) and cytokinins (forchlorfenuron) are used to affect fruit morphogenesis. Recently, other new PBRs, such as jasmonates, were tested in kiwifruit to affect flesh colour in fruits of Actinidia chinensis, and to reduce water use in both A. chinensis and deliciosa, such as abscisic acid. In post-harvest conditions, the use of molecules able to interfere with ethylene biosynthesis, such as 1-MCP, are suggested to prolong fruit storage and shelf-life.