The choice of female or male parent affects some biochemical characteristics of fruit or seed of kiwiberry (Actinidia arguta)

Abstract

Kiwiberry (Actinidia arguta) is dioecious species which is now commercially grown in several countries worldwide. A study was conducted to determine the influence of five pollen sources derived from A. arguta (three cultivars), A. arguta var. purpurea ‘Rot’ and A. chinensis var. deliciosa ‘Tomuri’ on fruit and seed characteristics for three female A. arguta cultivars. Average fruit weight and biochemical features—fruit total phenolic concentration (TPC), ascorbate (ASC), pigments, total antioxidant activity and seed proteins profile were evaluated. TPC was determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent assay. ASC, individual phenolic compounds and pigments composition were analysed using HPLC technique. Seed protein composition was analysed based on SDS-PAGE. Fruit phenolic and dry matter contents were influenced to a large degree by pollen sources while ASC content did not. The type of male and female parents used in the study were found to have a considerable effect on these parameters. The biggest differences in fruit phytocompound contents were found between female parents. The ‘Geneva’ cultivar showed the highest concentration of the most bioactive compounds tested. Four phenolic acids and five flavonoids were present in the highest concentrations in tested kiwiberry fruit. Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa ‘Tomuri’ pollen clearly modified the seed protein spectrum with a 17 and 23 kDa protein. The obtained results indicate that to achieve desired fruit biochemical characteristics, the pollen source (male vines) should be selected individually for particular female cultivars, especially in the case of polyphenol content. Our findings suggest that not only A. arguta but also A. arguta var. purpurea and A. chinensis var. deliciosa ‘Tomuri’ males may be suitable as pollinizers for kiwiberry fruit production.