APPENDIX VI

Topics Requiring Further Research

Given the relatively new status of kiwiberry as a crop of commercial interest in the region, there are a great many unanswered questions. While research is being planned, growers are able to assist by making and sharing their observations. Below is an incomplete list of some of the questions we have. Feel free to share your thoughts with us here.

Marketing and Brand Development

• What are effective ways to train consumers regarding kiwiberry ripening at home?

Important Traits and Current Commercial Cultivation

• What is the northern- and southernmost possible production sites for kiwiberry?
• How do microclimates impact these production zones?
• Can dormancy breaking be delayed via simple cultural practices?

Vineyard Establishment

• How does planting density impact vine maturation and productivity, in both the short and long-term?
• What is the optimal level of irrigation for different age classes of vines?

Planting

• Do vines propagated from clones vs. seed vs micropropagation (tissue culture) reach maturity at different speeds?
• In the long-term, does a young vine held in a controlled environment for a second year before transplanting to the field perform significantly better than a year-old transplant?

Fertilization

• What are the optimal fertilizer levels for each age class of kiwiberry vines?
• What is the role of specific nutrients in plant development? How do these nutrients impact growth in specific parts of the vine? How do they impact fruit quality and storability?
• When is the optimal time for the application of fertilizer?
• What are the best fertilization practices for organically certified production?

Pruning

• What is the optimal amount of pruning during the summer production season?
• Where are the best locations on laterals to make cuts? What is the best number of buds to leave on pruned wood?
• What is the productivity of previously fruiting wood compared with newly fruiting wood?
• How does timing of winter pruning impact fruitfulness the following season?

Cultivation

• What is the impact of cultivating at different depths or with different styles on root structure and development?
• Does occasional deep tillage have any impact on reducing overgrown rootzones/compaction and maintaining long-term productivity?

Pathogens/Pests

• What is the full list of pests which impact kiwiberry in New England? What is the timing of their emergence and targeting of vines?
• What causes cracking and russeting on fruits and how can it be managed?
• What chemical control materials are appropriate for kiwiberry?
• What materials should be listed for approval on kiwiberry?
• How is best spray coverage achieved throughout a kiwiberry canopy?

Other Concerns

• What benefits, if any, are gained by having a windbreak around a kiwiberry vineyard?
• Are there preferred pollinator species for kiwiberry in NE? Is supplemental pollination required?
• What are the feeding preferences of non-insect pests (birds, mammals) on kiwiberry in NE?

Harvest

• What is the pattern of ripening within a vine? Within a vineyard?
• Do weather events have an impact on fruit quality in post-harvest storage?
• What are the best options for kiwiberry pack lines and sorting for small-scale producers?

Storage

• Are edible coatings practical? Is there consumer aversion to the use of such products?
• What are the best options for rapid cooling of harvested kiwiberries for small-scale producers? For storage?
• What role can controlled atmospheric storage conditions play in extending kiwiberry shelf-life, synchronizing ripening, and improving fruit quality?

Invasive Concerns

• What are the reasons for the localized pockets of naturalized vines observed in the region? Are they all linked to historic abandonment of vines? Are they linked to specific environmental conditions?
• What is the full extent of this naturalization? Please report any suspected populations here.