Effect of fertigation and hydrogen cyanamide on fruit production, nutrient uptake, and fruit quality in kiwifruit

In a 3‐year field trial, kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) vines received 40% of their nutrient requirements by fertigation and the rest as solid fertiliser. All plots received 158 kg/ha nitrogen (N) and 294 kg/ha potassium (K). After 3 years the vines receiving fertigation showed no advantage over those receiving a conventional solid fertiliser programme in yield, or leaf nutrient levels for kiwifruit. The quality of fruit from vines supplied with or without fertigation was assessed at harvest, and at several times during 22‐week storage trials. Fruit appeared relatively unaffected by fertigation, and no difference in storage behaviour of the fruit was recorded. The interaction between fertiliser response and crop load was investigated by applying hydrogen cyanamide to create two crop loads. Hydrogen cyanamide increased fruit numbers by c. 30% in 2 out of 3 years, but had little effect on the response to fertigation.