Work

Uncovering the hidden dynamics of pollination in kiwifruit maturity and ripening

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Artificial pollination has gained increasing attention in kiwifruit cultivation; however, how different pollination methods influence fruit maturity and ripening remains poorly understood. To address this, the physiological, metabolomic, proteomic and gene expression impact of pollination methods (artificial versus open-field pollination) on the pericarp, placenta and seed tissue of Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa A. Chev. ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit at maturity harvest and during postharvest ripening following short and long cold storage was investigated. Artificial pollination enhanced fruit set and seed number, resulting in increased fruit size and weight at harvest compared to open-field pollination, supporting its role in improving kiwifruit yield. Metabolomic analysis revealed that carbon is primarily redirected from sugar synthesis toward organic acid production in artificially pollinated fruit. Tissue-specific proteomic analysis indicated that artificial pollination alters plant growth regulator dynamics and induce extensive stress-associated responses. Moreover, artificial pollination accelerated kiwifruit ripening as evidenced by increased ethylene production and faster fruit softening. These changes were accompanied by altered expression of genes and proteins involved in ethylene signaling and cell wall structure, potentially reducing postharvest longevity. Additionally, artificial pollination decreased key esters and increased aldehydes, thus altering aroma volatile profiles. It also reduced the levels of important polyphenols, particularly catechin, epicatechin and procyanidin B2, which aligned with observed changes in gene expression. These findings highlight a critical trade-off: while artificial pollination enhances yield, it also modulates physiological processes that may compromise postharvest fruit quality. Overall, this study provides new insights into how pollination influences kiwifruit maturity and ripening, supporting pollination-based strategies to enhance both fruit yield and quality.

Source: Postharvest Biology and Technology

DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.113763