Influence of pollen from different species on the fruit quality of 'Hongyang' kiwifruit

This study aimed to investigate pollen types on the fruit quality of 'Hongyang' kiwifruit, providing a scientific basis for rational pollinizer tree allocation. Using 'Hongyang' as the test material and commercial pollen as the control, pollen from 12 male plants of 2 species ( Actinidia chinesis var. Deliciosa and A. chinensis ) was used to pollinate in orchards. PCA was applied for comprehensive evaluation of the pollinated fruit. The results were as follows: (1) Male A. chinesis var. deliciosa plants had a later flowering period but more pollen than male A. chinensis plants did, and there were notable intraspecific differences in floral traits. Among the six tested male plants of A. chinensis ('a-1', 'a-2', 'a-3', 'a-5', 'a-6', 'a-7'), their flowering periods basically overlap with those of 'Hongyang', while the other materials were 5-23 days later than 'Hongyang'.(2) 'Hongyang' had a significant pollen xenia on the fruit set, quality, and seed characteristics, particularly showing large differences in single fruit weight, sugar-acid ratio, vitamin C content, flesh color, and seed number. Different pollen pollination treatments had different impacts on 'Hongyang' fruit quality. (3) According to principal component scores, floral organ characteristics, and flowering period evaluations, male A. chinensis plants 'a-6', 'a-2', and 'a-7' are suitable and compatible pollinizers for 'Hongyang', whereas the male A. chinensis var. deliciosa male plants 'a-10' and 'a-12' are recommended for poststorage artificial pollination. In conclusion, there are significant differences in floral traits among inter- and intraspecific male kiwifruit plants. Pollen donor choice notably affects the key quality indicators of 'Hongyang'.