X International Symposium on Kiwifruit, Yalova, Türkiye, 27 Eylül 2021, cilt.1332, ss.79-86
Kiwifruit cultivation areas are increasing every year in Turkey. However, only one cultivar (A. chinensis var. deliciosa 'Hayward') is used in almost all kiwifruit plantations. Because of the consumer demand for new kiwifruit cultivars, kiwifruit growers are demanding new kiwifruit cultivars for establishing new orchards. Breeders' rights of newly registered foreign cultivars are very strict, and these cultivars are not allowed to be grown in Turkey. Therefore, a kiwifruit breeding program was initiated in 2008 at the Ataturk Horticultural Central Research Institute in order to obtain new kiwifruit cultivars. In this breeding program, selection studies are continuing in 23 different populations of A. chinensis var. chinensis and A. chinensis var. deliciosa, which are obtained from seedlings and crosses of different cultivars. Among those from which sufficient numbers of fruits were obtained, observations and analyses were made for pre-selection in 34 genotypes in 2019 and 116 genotypes in 2020. Genotypes that can compete with existing kiwifruit cultivars have been determined as a result of evaluations made for two years. In addition, registration procedures for one male and one female kiwifruit cultivar candidates selected from previous years have been completed. Currently, registration procedures continue for two male and two female kiwifruit cultivar candidates.