**1.1 The kiwifruit**

The kiwifruit (*Actinidia deliciosa*) is an exotic fruit to Brazil belonging to the family Actinidiaceae, the genus *Actinidia*, which has some edible species such as *A. chinensis, A. arguta, A. kolomikta, A. polygama* and *A. eriantha* and contrary what of imagines whose origin center are the China mountainous regions which have from 800 to 2000m altitude, where it grows in the forest shade and where it was called the Chinese gooseberry. Also found were records of the presence of kiwi to the northeast of India and Japan. New Zealand has always taken this credit but the first productions of the *A. delicious* species appeared only in mid 1910 and definitely where it was named in honor of the bird symbol of this country due to his likeness and that receives the same name: Kiwi.

The kiwifruit is a plant belonging to the order Theales, *Actinidiaceae* family and genus *Actinidia* with more than 53 species including the *Actinidia deliciosa* is the most important (Ferri, Kersten, Machado, 1996).

The genus *Actinidia* in 1959 has been classified by Wallich. Hutichon that divided the family into genera actinideácea only climbers: *Actinidia, Clamatochetra* and *Sladenita* (Almeida, 1996).

They are typical plants of locations with temperate or subtropical mountain. The varieties of fruit most widely marketed varieties are produced by several species of *Actinidia deliciosa* and to a much lesser extent, by some varieties of *Actinidia chinensis*. The fruit pulp has coloration ranging from bright green to yellow, with several small seeds and black in the middle and characterized by the oval form and to be flattened. The bark has a light brown color covered with small fells. Being a low-calorie fruit is widely used in energy-restricted diets because about 90% of its weight consists of water (Demczuk Junior, 2007; Oliveira, 2011).

Another feature of the kiwifruit plant is to be clambering and its production be conducted preferably in tutoring systems (Figure 1) as the vines in order that the fruits do not touch the ground preserving them of the early deterioration.

The Effects of Gamma Radiation in Nectar of Kiwifruit (*Actinidia deliciosa*) 307

It is a vigorous plant; very productive; early flowering; with flowers grouped about two or three. The flowers are creamy white and the petals have rounded elliptical, with the edges slightly wrinkled. The leaves are usually short and round with pointed apex (ALMEIDA,

The fruit has an oblong shape; weighing 65 to 70 grams; with a period of maturation medium; good storage under refrigeration and successfully supporting the handling and transport. The pulp is bright green color; fragrant; mildly acidic; considered as has a good quality and very popular in New Zealand for family consumption. It features low demand hours in the cold and high bud fertility and therefore a high productive power can be 400

It is a vigorous and productive plant. Have solitary flowers (rarely combined) with creamwhite elliptical petals; more or less rounded and flat. The leaves have circular shape with the bottom rope. The fruits are medium in size - 60 to 70 grams - very uniform; cylindrical in shape and elongated; bark brown and covered with dense fell, short and spiky (Almeida, 1996).

The pulp is sweet and a little tart, very goodly, with the highest concentration of vitamin C than other varieties. The maturity is very early with the possible preservation in a refrigerator however had a reduced resistant to handling and transportation. In southern Brazil, the harvest usually occurs in April opening. It is not very demanding in cold times requiring a half hours of cold necessary to cultivate Hayward. In the conditions of the Brazil Southern the Bruno cultivar has shown the best yield among the varieties grown kiwifruit

Presents late-flowering with slightly lower productivity for other varieties of flowering coincide. Its flowers are solitary and rarely in pairs. It is very sensitive to chlorosis; drought and nematodes. Has multiplication by cutting easier than the others (Souza; Marodin;

It is a plant with medium vigor. It has the harvest beginning around the first half of November. At harvest the fruit must reach a level of maturity as measured by the method of soluble solids of at least 6.2 percent. The fruits are heavy (90 to 150g); oval with the elliptical

The leaves are rounded and the base strings with overlapping. The pulp is green with hints of straw-colored; moderately juicy; slightly tart and mildly fragrant and aromatic with good taste qualities (Almeida, 1996). According to Souza, Marodin and Barradas (1996), the perfect balance between acids and sugars that make the variety is preferred by markets

Have good resistance to transportation; handling and excellent cold storage. Although not determined it is estimated that this growing need 700 to 1,000 hours of temperatures below

cross section; with brown bark greenish; covered with fine fells (Almeida, 1996).

7.2°C during winter (Souza; Marodin; Barradas, 1996).

kilograms of fruit per foot (Souza; Marodin; Barradas, 1996).

tree (Souza; Marodin; Barradas, 1996).

**1.1.2.1 Female cultivars** 

a. Abbot

1996).

b. Bruno

c. Hayward

Barradas, 1996).

around the world.

Fig. 1. Kiwifruit tutored system plantation (SEMAPI, 2011)

The species of *Actinidia deliciosa* (A. Chev.) several delicious varieties are known to be preferred by the consumer and therefore more widespread the variety 'Hayward' (Figure 2) fruit with better taste and aroma (flavor) and a greater capacity for storage.

Fig. 2. Kiwifruit varieties (CEAGESP, 2011)
