• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.169-174
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• 2017

BACKGROUND:Kiwifruit growers build their vineyards using many windbreaks to protect their kiwifruit vines from defoliation injury by strong winds such as typhoon. In this study, we have compared fruit quality, budbreak rate and floral bud as affected by windbreaks. And also we surveyed several microclimate indices of kiwifruit orchard depending on the covering materials of arch-type windbreaks. METHODS AND RESULTS: Five different windbreak materials including polyethylene film (PE), blue- and white-colored nets were tested in pipe-framed archtype kiwifruit vineyards as the covering materials. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), annual mean temperature (AMT) and chill unit (CU) as well as fruit quality were compared among the covering materials. In all treatments, annual PAR was more than $400{\mu}mol\;m^{-2}s^{-1}$, in which kiwifruit leaf could reach its maximum photosynthesis, since the leaves were emerged. Annual mean temperature was greater in 0.1 mm-PE covering as much as $1-2^{\circ}C$ than other windbreaks. In CU calculated by three different models, all windbreaks showed more than 1400 CU that is fully fulfilled CU for kiwifruit rest completion. There were no difference in budbreak rate among the covering materials. Fruit weight was heavier in 0.1 mm-PE and white-net (4 mm) than other windbreaks. CONCLUSION: Regardless of the windbreak materials, the PAR quantity was enough for kiwifruit photosynthesis. And CU for kiwifruit rest completion was fully achieved in all treatments. However, with respect to fruit weight, quantity of PAR, and AMT, etc., It is highly recommended for kiwifruit growers to choose 0.1 mm-PE and white-net (4 mm) as for their windbreaks materials.