Kiwi planting material now available in India

Kiwi Garden in Kashmir

World'd most expensive fruit Kiwi or Chinese gooseberry (Actinidia deliciosa) is grown widely in

Kiwi is mostly grown in the mid hills of Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Kerala. Having been very newly introduced in the country estimates of area and production have not yet become available. he fruit has high nutritive and medicinal value. It is a rich source of vitamin B & C and minerals like phosphorus, potassium & calcium.

Fruits are consumed fresh or combined with other fruits in salads and deserts. It is also used for preparation of squash and wine. Kiwi can be grown in areas experiencing 700-800 chilling hours (no. of hours during which temperature remains at or below 70 C during the winter season).

The plant can be grown at 800-1500 m. above m.s.l. A rainfall of about 150 cm. /year is sufficient. The rainfall should be well distributed during the growing period. The plant does not withstand strong winds and frost during the growing period because of its vigorous vegetative growth, large leaves and viny habit. In summer, high temperature (> 350 C) and low humidity may cause scorching of leaves. Sun scald and heat stress are the main problems in its cultivation in lower areas. New Zealand, Italy, USA, China, Japan, Australia, France, Chile and Spain.

Kiwi Plants are available at

The Jammu and Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre
"Ginkgo House", Aziz Abad,Nambalbal, Pampore PPR JK 192121
Ph: 09858986794/01933-223705
e.mail: jkmpic@gmail.com
http://jkmpic.blogspot.in