Evaluation of Certain Kiwi Varieties under Temperate Climatic Condition of Kodaikanal Region, Tamil Nadu

An experiment was conducted to evaluate five varieties of kiwi viz Allison, Abbot, Hayward, Monty and Bruno at Horticultural Research Station in the year 2014–2015. After pruning in the 2^nd week of December 50 percent leafing was observed after 92, 88, 70, 83 and 74 days in Allison, Abbot, Hayward, Monty and Bruno varieties respectively. The 50 percent flowering was observed in 49 days in Hayward and the variety Bruno taking the longest time of 56 days. Variety Hayward took 16 days to fruit set after flowering while minimum days for fruit set (13 days) was recorded in the varieties Allison and Monty. The maximum number of fruits per variety, average weight of fruits, fruit yield per plant and highest TSS were recorded in Hayward variety. Higher fruit length and fruit girth were observed in the variety Monty. The higher score for appearance, taste, flavor and overall acceptability was accorded by Hayward followed by Allison. Thus, on the basis of yield, taste, flavor and overall acceptability, Hayward is the best under Kodaikanal region of Tamil Nadu, India.