Collection and use of dry pollen for pollination of kiwifruit

Abstract

Mechanical systems were developed and evaluated for the collection and application of dry kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa (A. Chev.) C.F. Liang et A.R. Ferguson) pollen to flowers on an extensive basis. Pollen was collected by a twin cyclone operated from a tractor by one person. Collection rates were up to 140 g/h during both night and day. Purity and germination of the pollen was consistently acceptable. Application was by impaction of dry force-fed pollen onto a rotating velcro-covered wheel which was located in an airstream. The principle was simple and its inherent flexibility permitted the evaluation of various pollen rates, delivery airflows, and machine types. Acceptable fruit yields resulted. © 1991 Crown copyright.