Fruit Quality in Induced Polyploids of Actinidia chinensis

Fruit of colchicine-induced tetraploids of Actinidia chinensis were 50% to 60% larger than those of their diploid progenitors. In addition to fruit size, fruit quality is a key issue in any commercialization of these autotetraploids. We have made the first detailed study of the effects of chromosome doubling on fruit quality parameters other than size: these attributes include flesh firmness, color, soluble solid content (SSC), dry matter content (DM), vitamin C content, fruit skin thickness, and red pigmentation distribution in red-fleshed kiwifruit. Four selections from colchicine-induced tetraploids from the yellow-fleshed kiwifruit cultivar Hort16A were trialed for the stability of their fruit quality. Analysis of fruit at harvest over 3 years showed that fruit of the induced autotetraploids were significantly softer (lower flesh firmness), had lower DM, and had a less intense golden flesh color than fruit of their diploid progenitor. During development, SSC of fruit of the autotetraploid plants started to increase earlier than in the diploid 'Hort16A'. This has been confirmed by replicated trials. No difference was found in vitamin C content between fruit of autotetraploids and diploids. Autotetraploids had significantly thicker skins than diploid 'Hort16A'. Induced autotetraploids from three female genotypes of red-fleshed A. chinensis showed similar trends to autotetraploids of 'Hort16A' in fruit flesh firmness and outer pericarp flesh color, DM, SSC, and vitamin C. All the traits analyzed indicated that fruit of the autotetraploid plants matured earlier than those of their diploid progenitors. Furthermore, red pigmentation, one of the most important traits for red-fleshed kiwifruit breeding, showed a reduction in both intensity and distribution in the autotetraploids compared with their diploid progenitors. There was considerable variation among fruit of autotetraploid plants regenerated from each diploid progenitor. Therefore, selection among the regenerants may be required to achieve the best outcome after ploidy manipulation in kiwifruit breeding.