Search

The TEOSINTE-BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PROLEFERATING-CELL-FACTORS (TCP) gene family is a plant-specific transcriptional factor family involved in leaf morphogenesis and senescence, lateral branching, hormone crosstalk, and stress responses. To date, a systematic study on the identification and characterization of the TCP gene family in kiwifruit has not been reported. Additionally, the function of kiwifruit TCPs in regulating kiwifruit responses to the ethylene treatment and bacterial canker disease pathogen (Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, Psa) has not been investigated. Here, we identified 40 and 26 TCP genes in Actinidia chinensis (Ac) and A. eriantha (Ae) genomes, respectively. The synteny analysis of AcTCPs illustrated that whole-genome duplication accounted for the expansion of the TCP family in Ac. Phylogenetic, conserved domain, and selection pressure analysis indicated that TCP family genes in Ac and Ae had undergone different evolutionary patterns after whole-genome duplication (WGD) events, causing differences in TCP gene number and distribution. Our results also suggested that protein structure and cis-element architecture in promoter regions of TCP genes have driven the function divergence of duplicated gene pairs. Three and four AcTCP genes significantly affected kiwifruit responses to the ethylene treatment and Psa invasion, respectively. Our results provided insight into general characters, evolutionary patterns, and functional diversity of kiwifruit TCPs.

Actinidia eriantha is one of the species of kiwifruit with a particularly high ascorbic acid (AsA) content. However, the molecular mechanism driving AsA richness in fruit remains unclear. In order to reveal the molecular mechanism of AsA richness in A. eriantha, this study constructed a regulatory network related to AsA metabolism by combining genomics, metabolomics and transcriptomics. We assembled a high-quality genome of A. eriantha ‘Ganlv 1’ with only five remaining gaps. The assembly is comprised of 29 pseudochromosomes with a total size of 615.95 Mb, and contig N50 of 20.35 Mb. Among them, 24 of the pseudochromosomes were obtained directly from telomere-to-telomere. The LTR assembly index score and consensus quality value were 21.34 and 39.90%, respectively. Subsequently, 61 metabolites and 2 092 genes were found to be differentially accumulated/expressed during fruit development by metabolome and transcriptome assays, respectively. AsA metabolism and the cyclic regeneration pathway were found to have high expression levels throughout fruit growth and development, suggesting its crucial role in the regulation of AsA. Furthermore, the AsA contents are highly associated with ascorbate peroxidase genes. The genome obtained in this study provides genomic resources for the genetic and breeding research of A. eriantha, and the constructed regulatory network can provide a public data platform for future research on kiwifruit.

The fruit of most wild Actinidia eriantha are late maturing, which greatly restrict their commercial development. Fortunately, our team found an early maturing genotype, 'Ganlv 2', with excellent fruit quality traits at an altitude of 750 m in Nancheng County, Jiangxi Province, China. In order to clarify whether the early maturity trait is stable and provide evidence for new cultivar protection, we performed DUS (Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability) tests during 2017-2019 and used SSR technology to construct a molecular fingerprint. The results showed that 'Ganlv 2' is a novel diploid genotype, and matures about 20 d earlier than other A. eriantha cultivars. The average fruit weight of 'Ganlv 2' was 45 g, and the maximum was 58 g at harvest. The fruit shape was oval and the peelable skin were covered with dense white hair. The three-year average value was 15.2% for its fruit soluble solids concentration, 17.4% for dry matter, 9.3% for total sugar content, 1.0% for total acid content, and 466.24 mg/100 g FW for vitamin C. In conclusion, the early maturity trait of 'Ganlv 2' appears to be stable, and it provides a novel genotype for studying the mechanism of early fruit maturity in kiwifruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Actinidia eriantha is a characteristic fruit tree featuring with great potential for its abundant vitamin C and strong disease resistance. It has been used in a wide range of breeding programs and functional genomics studies. Previously published genome assemblies of A. eriantha are quite fragmented and not highly contiguous. Using multiple sequencing strategies, we get the haplotype-resolved and gap-free genomes of an elite breeding line “Midao 31” (MD), termed MDHAPA and MDHAPB. The new assemblies anchored to 29 pseudochromosome pairs with a length of 619.3 Mb and 611.7 Mb, as well as resolved 27 and 28 gap-close chromosomes in a telomere-to-telomere (T2T) manner. Based on the haplotype-resolved genome, we found that most alleles experienced purifying selection and coordinately expressed. Owing to the high continuity of assemblies, we defined the centromeric regions of A. eriantha, and identified the major repeating monomer, which is designated as Ae-CEN153. This resource lays a solid foundation for further functional genomics study and horticultural traits improvement in kiwifruit. Graphical Abstract

The STAY-GREEN (SGR) proteins play an important role in chlorophyll (Chl) degradation and are closely related to plant photosynthesis. However, the availability of inadequate studies on SGR motivated us to conduct a comprehensive study on the identification and functional dissection of SGR superfamily members in kiwifruit. Here, we identified five SGR genes for each of the kiwifruit species [Actinidia chinensis (Ac) and Actinidia eriantha (Ae)]. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the kiwifruit SGR superfamily members were divided into two subfamilies the SGR subfamily and the SGRL subfamily. The results of transcriptome data and RT-qPCR showed that the expression of the kiwifruit SGRs was closely related to light and plant developmental stages (regulated by plant growth regulators), which were further supported by the presence of light and the plant hormone-responsive cis-regulatory element in the promoter region. The subcellular localization analysis of the AcSGR2 protein confirmed its localization in the chloroplast. The Fv/Fm, SPAD value, and Chl contents were decreased in overexpressed AcSGR2, but varied in different cultivars of A. chinensis. The sequence analysis showed significant differences within AcSGR2 proteins. Our findings provide valuable insights into the characteristics and evolutionary patterns of SGR genes in kiwifruit, and shall assist kiwifruit breeders to enhance cultivar development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Refugia is considered to be critical for maintaining biodiversity; while discerning the type and pattern of refugia is pivotal for our understanding of evolutionary processes in the context of conservation. Interglacial and glacial refugia have been studied throughout subtropical China. However, studies on refugia along the oceanic–continental gradient have largely been ignored. We used a liana Actinidia eriantha, which occurs across the eastern moist evergreen broad-leaved forests of subtropical China, as a case study to test hypotheses of refugia along the oceanic–continental gradient and ‘oceanic’ adaptation. Results The phylogeographic pattern of A. eriantha was explored using a combination of three cpDNA markers and 38 nuclear microsatellite loci, Species distribution modelling and dispersal corridors analysis. Our data showed intermediate levels of genetic diversity [haplotype diversity (h T) = 0.498; unbiased expected heterozygosity (UH E) = 0.510] both at the species and population level. Microsatellite loci revealed five clusters largely corresponding to geographic regions. Coalescent time of cpDNA lineages was dated to the middle Pliocene (ca. 4.03 Ma). Both geographic distance and climate difference have important roles for intraspecific divergence of the species. The Zhejiang-Fujian Hilly Region was demonstrated to be a refugium along the oceanic–continental gradient of the species and fit the ‘refugia in refugia’ pattern. Species distribution modelling analysis indicated that Precipitation of Coldest Quarter (importance of 44%), Temperature Seasonality (29%) and Mean Temperature of Wettest Quarter (25%) contributed the most to model development. By checking the isolines in the three climate layers, we found that A. eriantha prefer higher precipitation during the coldest quarter, lower seasonal temperature difference and lower mean temperature during the wettest quarter, which correspond to ‘oceanic’ adaptation. Actinidia eriantha expanded to its western distribution range along the dispersal corridor repeatedly during the glacial periods. Conclusions Overall, our results provide integrated evidence demonstrating that the Zhejiang-Fujian Hilly Region is a refugium along the oceanic–continental gradient of Actinidia eriantha in subtropical China and that speciation is attributed to ‘oceanic’ adaptation. This study gives a deeper understanding of the refugia in subtropical China and will contribute to the conservation and utilization of kiwifruit wild resources in the context of climate change.

The TEOSINTE-BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PROLEFERATING-CELL-FACTORS (TCP) gene family is a plant-specific transcriptional factor family involved in leaf morphogenesis and senescence, lateral branching, hormone crosstalk, and stress responses. To date, a systematic study on the identification and characterization of the TCP gene family in kiwifruit has not been reported. Additionally, the function of kiwifruit TCPs in regulating kiwifruit responses to the ethylene treatment and bacterial canker disease pathogen ( Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae , Psa) has not been investigated. Here, we identified 40 and 26 TCP genes in Actinidia chinensis (Ac) and A. eriantha (Ae) genomes, respectively. The synteny analysis of AcTCPs illustrated that whole-genome duplication accounted for the expansion of the TCP family in Ac. Phylogenetic, conserved domain, and selection pressure analysis indicated that TCP family genes in Ac and Ae had undergone different evolutionary patterns after whole-genome duplication (WGD) events, causing differences in TCP gene number and distribution. Our results also suggested that protein structure and cis -element architecture in promoter regions of TCP genes have driven the function divergence of duplicated gene pairs. Three and four AcTCP genes significantly affected kiwifruit responses to the ethylene treatment and Psa invasion, respectively. Our results provided insight into general characters, evolutionary patterns, and functional diversity of kiwifruit TCPs .

In order to find an efficient, economical and feasible method for soft ripening storage of kiwifruit, two softening methods (on-vine, cold) were utilized for the 'Ganlv-2' kiwifruit (Actinidia. eriantha) cultivar. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted on the quality changes in 'Ganlv-2' under different methods after fruit ripening by principal component analysis and mathematical modeling. Compared to kiwifruit under cold softening, kiwifruit treated with on-vine soft ripening had slightly greater sugar-acid ratios and flesh firmness and higher contents of dry matter, soluble solids, and soluble sugar. The titratable acid content was slightly lower in the on-vine group than in the cold group. The sensory evaluation results manifested little difference in fruit flavor between the two groups. However, at the end of the trial, the overripe taste of the on-vine group was lighter and the taste was sweeter than those of the cold group. More aromatic substances were emitted from the kiwifruit in the on-vine group. According to the mathematic model, there was no significant difference in fruit quality and flavor between the on-vine and traditional cold groups. The fruit in the on-vine group had a stronger flavor and lighter overripe flavor when they reached the edible state. This paper provided a novel storage method of A. eriantha, it can reduce the cost of traditional cold storage and reduce the pressure on centralized harvesting, and the feasibility of this method was verified from the fruit quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to better understand the changes in fruit quality and soluble sugar components in wild Actinidia eriantha at the soft ripening stage, this study explored the fruit quality indexes, soluble sugar components, sucrose metabolism-related enzyme activities and the expression of sucrose metabolism-related enzyme genes in wild A. eriantha germplasm resources. The results showed that the fruit quality of wild A. eriantha at the soft ripening stage was quite different, and the coefficient of variation of fructose content was the largest, followed by sucrose and glucose. Principal component analysis and systematic clustering analysis showed that the comprehensive performance of fruit quality indexes of M28 and M10 was the most prominent. The accumulation and composition of soluble sugar components in different wild A. eriantha varieties (lines) were not consistent. The activities of sucrose metabolism enzymes among wild A. eriantha varieties (lines) were different to some extent. The sucrose metabolism-related enzyme genes among wild A. eriantha germplasm resources had different expression patterns. The results will contribute to understanding the fruit quality changes and the mechanism of sugar metabolism in wild A. eriantha at the soft ripening stage, and lay a foundation for the protection and utilization of wild A. eriantha germplasm resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actinidia eriantha Benth. (Called Maohuamihoutao in China) is a plant that has been utilized as a heat-clearing drug in She ethnic minority group for a long time in China. Specifically, it has been involved in the treatment of stomach cancer, colon cancer, cirrhosis with ascites, chronic hepatitis, leukemia, rectal prolapse, hernia and uterine prolapse. Pharmacological research provides partial evidence for the traditional use of A. eriantha and might have demonstrated the folk utilization of A. eriantha to combat many cancers. Crude extracts and relatively pure components of A. eriantha possess a variety of pharmacological activities, including anti-cancer, immunoregulatory, anti-angiogenic, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. In addition, over 104 chemical substances have been determined from A. eriantha, involving terpenoids, alcohols, phenolics, aldehydes, organic acids, flavonoids glycosides, ketones, and glucoside. The existing literature reveals that a large proportion of the therapeutic effects of A. eriantha were rendered by the polysaccharides. However, the mechanisms of action and the structure-function correlations of these compounds, as well as the synergistic and antagonistic effects between them, need to be investigated further. Therefore, we propose that future studies on A. eriantha should focus on comprehensively assessing its medicinal quality, exploring its multi-target nature using network pharmacology approaches, and evaluating its long-term toxicity and efficacy in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding (LHC) protein is a superfamily that plays a vital role in photosynthesis. However, the reported knowledge of LHCs in kiwifruit is inadequate and poorly understood. In this study, we identified 42 and 45 LHC genes in Actinidia chinensis (Ac) and A. eriantha (Ae) genomes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the kiwifruit LHCs of both species were grouped into four subfamilies (Lhc, Lil, PsbS, and FCII). Expression profiles and qRT-PCR results revealed expression levels of LHC genes closely related to the light, temperature fluctuations, color changes during fruit ripening, and kiwifruit responses to Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa). Subcellular localization analysis showed that AcLhcb1.5/3.1/3.2 were localized in the chloroplast while transient overexpression of AcLhcb3.1/3.2 in tobacco leaves confirmed a significantly increased content of chlorophyll a. Our findings provide evidence of the characters and evolution patterns of kiwifruit LHCs genes in kiwifruit and verify the AcLhcb3.1/3.2 genes controlling the chlorophyll a content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Ganlv 1' is a new cultivar of Actinidia eriantha selected from the wild natural population, which has the advantages of moderate taste, high yield, easy peeling and high ascorbic acid (AsA) content. In this study, 'Ganlv 1' was used to explore the changes in fruit quality, soluble sugar components, sucrose metabolism-related enzymes activities and sucrose metabolism-related enzyme genes' expression during the fruit's development. The results showed that, except for AsA, the changes in the fruit quality index and fruit growth and development during the development of 'Ganlv 1' basically exhibited the same trend. The fruit shape index was different in the different development stages of the fruit, and tended to be stable with fruit growth and development. The dynamic changes of the dry matter content indicated that the best time for fruit harvest was about 160 days after full bloom. The main sugar components in the fruit were fructose, glucose and sucrose, and sucrose and glucose were the main sugars in the soft-ripening stage. The trend of sucrose accumulation, the activities of the sucrose metabolism-related enzymes and the expression of the sucrose metabolism-related genes indicated that 130–145 days after full bloom (DAFB) might be the critical period of sucrose metabolism. The results are of great significance for clarifying the developmental characteristics and dynamic changes in the sugar components in A. eriantha fruits, and lay a foundation for further studying of the mechanism of sugar metabolism in A. eriantha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background NAC transcription factors (TFs) are plant-specific proteins encoded by a large gene family. They play important roles in diverse biological processes, such as plant growth and development, leaf senescence, and responses to biotic or abiotic stresses. Functions of a number of NAC TFs have been identified mainly in model plants. However, very few studies on NAC TFs have been conducted in the fruit tree of kiwifruit. Results Genome-wide NAC genes were identified and their phylogeny, genomic structure, chromosomal location, synteny relationships, protein properties and conserved motifs were analyzed. In addition, the fruit developmental process was evaluated in a new kiwifruit cultivar of Actinidia eriantha ‘Ganlu 1’. And expressions for all those NAC genes were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR method in fruits of ‘Ganlu 1’ during its developmental process. Our research identified 142 NAC TFs which could be phylogenetically divided into 23 protein subfamilies. The genomic structures of those NAC genes indicated that their exons were between one and ten. Analysis of chromosomal locations suggested that 116 out of 142 NACs distributed on all the 29 kiwifruit chromosomes. In addition, genome-wide gene expression analysis showed that expressions of 125 out of 142 NAC genes could be detected in fruit samples. Conclusion Our comprehensive study provides novel information on NAC genes and expression patterns in kiwifruit fruit. This research would be helpful for future functional identification of NAC genes involved in kiwifruit fruit development.

Background: Refugia is considered to be critical for maintaining biodiversity; while discerning the type and pattern of refugia is pivotal for our understanding of evolutionary processes in the context of conservation. Interglacial and glacial refugia have been studied throughout subtropical China. However, studies on refugia along the oceanic–continental gradient have largely been ignored. We used a liana Actinidia eriantha, which occurs across the eastern moist evergreen broad-leaved forests of subtropical China, as a case study to test hypotheses of refugia along the oceanic–continental gradient and 'oceanic' adaptation. Results: The phylogeographic pattern of A. eriantha was explored using a combination of three cpDNA markers and 38 nuclear microsatellite loci, Species distribution modelling and dispersal corridors analysis. Our data showed intermediate levels of genetic diversity [haplotype diversity (hT) = 0.498; unbiased expected heterozygosity (UHE) = 0.510] both at the species and population level. Microsatellite loci revealed five clusters largely corresponding to geographic regions. Coalescent time of cpDNA lineages was dated to the middle Pliocene (ca. 4.03 Ma). Both geographic distance and climate difference have important roles for intraspecific divergence of the species. The Zhejiang-Fujian Hilly Region was demonstrated to be a refugium along the oceanic–continental gradient of the species and fit the 'refugia in refugia' pattern. Species distribution modelling analysis indicated that Precipitation of Coldest Quarter (importance of 44%), Temperature Seasonality (29%) and Mean Temperature of Wettest Quarter (25%) contributed the most to model development. By checking the isolines in the three climate layers, we found that A. eriantha prefer higher precipitation during the coldest quarter, lower seasonal temperature difference and lower mean temperature during the wettest quarter, which correspond to 'oceanic' adaptation. Actinidia eriantha expanded to its western distribution range along the dispersal corridor repeatedly during the glacial periods. Conclusions: Overall, our results provide integrated evidence demonstrating that the Zhejiang-Fujian Hilly Region is a refugium along the oceanic–continental gradient of Actinidia eriantha in subtropical China and that speciation is attributed to 'oceanic' adaptation. This study gives a deeper understanding of the refugia in subtropical China and will contribute to the conservation and utilization of kiwifruit wild resources in the context of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kiwifruit (Actinidia eriantha) is a peculiar berry resource in China, and the maturation period is generally late. Fortunately, we found an early mature A. eriantha germplasm. In order to explore the formation mechanism of its early mature trait, we determined the main carbohydrate and endogenous hormone content of the fruit, and used off-target metabolomics and transcriptomics to identify key regulatory metabolites and genes. We found that early mature germplasm had faster starch conversion rate and higher sucrose, glucose, and fructose content when harvested, while with lower auxin (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), and zeatin (ZR) content. Through the non-targeted metabolome, 19 and 20 metabolites closely related to fruit maturity and early maturity were identified, respectively. At the same time, weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) showed that these metabolites were regulated by 73 and 99 genes, respectively, especially genes related to sugar metabolism were mostly. Based on above, the formation of early mature trait of A. eriantha was mainly due to the sucrose decomposition rate was reduced and the soluble solid content (SSC) accumulated at low levels of endogenous hormones, so as to reach the harvest standard earlier than the late mature germplasm. Finally, ten single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci were developed which can be used for the identification of early mature trait of A. eriantha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kiwifruit (Actinidia eriantha) is a peculiar berry resource in China, and the maturation period is generally late. Fortunately, we found an early mature A. eriantha germplasm. In order to explore the formation mechanism of its early mature trait, we determined the main carbohydrate and endogenous hormone content of the fruit, and used off-target metabolomics and transcriptomics to identify key regulatory metabolites and genes. We found that early mature germplasm had faster starch conversion rate and higher sucrose, glucose, and fructose content when harvested, while with lower auxin (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), and zeatin (ZR) content. Through the non-targeted metabolome, 19 and 20 metabolites closely related to fruit maturity and early maturity were identified, respectively. At the same time, weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) showed that these metabolites were regulated by 73 and 99 genes, respectively, especially genes related to sugar metabolism were mostly. Based on above, the formation of early mature trait of A. eriantha was mainly due to the sucrose decomposition rate was reduced and the soluble solid content (SSC) accumulated at low levels of endogenous hormones, so as to reach the harvest standard earlier than the late mature germplasm. Finally, ten single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci were developed which can be used for the identification of early mature trait of A. eriantha.

Kiwifruit (Actinidia eriantha) is a dioecious vine, and the pollen of its male cultivars has a direct effect on the quality of its fruits. In this study, to facilitate molecular breeding and gene identification, we performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on 11 traits of flower and leaf. A total of 946,337 highly consistent SNP markers were obtained in the whole genome. Phylogenetic tree analysis and population structure analysis showed that the 143 germplasms can be divided into two groups. The linkage disequilibrium analysis showed that A. eriantha have a relatively fast attenuation rate, and that the average attenuation distance of LD was 0.1–0.3 Kb. The MLM (QK) model was determined as best for correlation analysis, and eight and three SNPs associated with flower- and leaf-related traits were identified, respectively, at 0.01 significance level. However, SNP markers associated with stamen number per flower, pollen viability, total chlorophyll content, and total flavonoid content were not identified at the 0.01 significant level, although it is worth noting that one, one, five, and two SNPs were identified to be associated with these traits at the 0.05 significant level. This study provides insights into the complex flower- and leaf-related biology, and identifies genes controlling important traits in A. eriantha through GWAS, which extends the genetic resources and basis for facilitating molecular breeding in kiwifruits.

Kiwifruit (Actinidia eriantha) is a dioecious vine, and the pollen of its male cultivars has a direct effect on the quality of its fruits. In this study, to facilitate molecular breeding and gene identification, we performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on 11 traits of flower and leaf. A total of 946,337 highly consistent SNP markers were obtained in the whole genome. Phylogenetic tree analysis and population structure analysis showed that the 143 germplasms can be divided into two groups. The linkage disequilibrium analysis showed that A. eriantha have a relatively fast attenuation rate, and that the average attenuation distance of LD was 0.1–0.3 Kb. The MLM (QK) model was determined as best for correlation analysis, and eight and three SNPs associated with flower- and leaf-related traits were identified, respectively, at 0.01 significance level. However, SNP markers associated with stamen number per flower, pollen viability, total chlorophyll content, and total flavonoid content were not identified at the 0.01 significant level, although it is worth noting that one, one, five, and two SNPs were identified to be associated with these traits at the 0.05 significant level. This study provides insights into the complex flower- and leaf-related biology, and identifies genes controlling important traits in A. eriantha through GWAS, which extends the genetic resources and basis for facilitating molecular breeding in kiwifruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The peel texture, cell wall-related substances and enzyme activity all affect the peelability of A. eriantha. • The good-peeling variety had a deeper saffron staining intensity in the outer pericarp than the poor-peeling variety. • Metabolome analysis showed that DAMs were mainly flavonoids, lipids and phenolic acids. • Eight DEGs that might associated with the peeling characters in A. eriantha were identified. • AeGAE6, AebHLH35-like and AeBGAL5 were the main genes affecting the peelability of A. eriantha. Actinidia eriantha is prone to peeling at the soft ripening stage, which is a unique characteristic that distinguishes it from other Actinidia species. However, the mechanism underlying the formation of peelability in A. eriantha is still not very clear. In this study, two A. eriantha varieties with contrasting peeling behavior were used as materials and the peel cell wall metabolism-related substances and enzyme activities were detected during fruit development. The peel cell structures were observed and the transcriptome and metabolome analysis were performed. The results indicated that the firmness and toughness of the fruit peel affect the peelability of A. eriantha. The increased activities of β-galactosidase, pectinase, and cellulase promoted the degradation of lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, and total pectin, and ultimately affected the peelability. The anatomical structure showed that the staining intensity on the peel of the two varieties did not change much at different stages. The differential metabolites were mainly flavonoids, lipids, and phenolic acids. Eight genes that may be related to fruit peeling traits of A. eriantha were identified, three of which (AeGAE6, AebHLH35-like, and AeBGAL5) may be the main genes affecting the peelability of A. eriantha. These candidate genes may affect the peelability of A. eriantha by influencing the metabolism of cell wall components such as galactose, mannose, arabinose, and glucuronic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to find an efficient, economical and feasible method for soft ripening storage of kiwifruit, two softening methods (on-vine, cold) were utilized for the ‘Ganlv-2’ kiwifruit (Actinidia. eriantha) cultivar. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted on the quality changes in ‘Ganlv-2’ under different methods after fruit ripening by principal component analysis and mathematical modeling. Compared to kiwifruit under cold softening, kiwifruit treated with on-vine soft ripening had slightly greater sugar-acid ratios and flesh firmness and higher contents of dry matter, soluble solids, and soluble sugar. The titratable acid content was slightly lower in the on-vine group than in the cold group. The sensory evaluation results manifested little difference in fruit flavor between the two groups. However, at the end of the trial, the overripe taste of the on-vine group was lighter and the taste was sweeter than those of the cold group. More aromatic substances were emitted from the kiwifruit in the on-vine group. According to the mathematic model, there was no significant difference in fruit quality and flavor between the on-vine and traditional cold groups. The fruit in the on-vine group had a stronger flavor and lighter overripe flavor when they reached the edible state. This paper provided a novel storage method of A. eriantha, it can reduce the cost of traditional cold storage and reduce the pressure on centralized harvesting, and the feasibility of this method was verified from the fruit quality.

In order to better understand the changes in fruit quality and soluble sugar components in wild Actinidia eriantha at the soft ripening stage, this study explored the fruit quality indexes, soluble sugar components, sucrose metabolism-related enzyme activities and the expression of sucrose metabolism-related enzyme genes in wild A. eriantha germplasm resources. The results showed that the fruit quality of wild A. eriantha at the soft ripening stage was quite different, and the coefficient of variation of fructose content was the largest, followed by sucrose and glucose. Principal component analysis and systematic clustering analysis showed that the comprehensive performance of fruit quality indexes of M28 and M10 was the most prominent. The accumulation and composition of soluble sugar components in different wild A. eriantha varieties (lines) were not consistent. The activities of sucrose metabolism enzymes among wild A. eriantha varieties (lines) were different to some extent. The sucrose metabolism-related enzyme genes among wild A. eriantha germplasm resources had different expression patterns. The results will contribute to understanding the fruit quality changes and the mechanism of sugar metabolism in wild A. eriantha at the soft ripening stage, and lay a foundation for the protection and utilization of wild A. eriantha germplasm resources.

Copyright of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis is the property of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

‘Ganlv 1’ is a new cultivar of Actinidia eriantha selected from the wild natural population, which has the advantages of moderate taste, high yield, easy peeling and high ascorbic acid (AsA) content. In this study, ‘Ganlv 1’ was used to explore the changes in fruit quality, soluble sugar components, sucrose metabolism-related enzymes activities and sucrose metabolism-related enzyme genes’ expression during the fruit’s development. The results showed that, except for AsA, the changes in the fruit quality index and fruit growth and development during the development of ‘Ganlv 1’ basically exhibited the same trend. The fruit shape index was different in the different development stages of the fruit, and tended to be stable with fruit growth and development. The dynamic changes of the dry matter content indicated that the best time for fruit harvest was about 160 days after full bloom. The main sugar components in the fruit were fructose, glucose and sucrose, and sucrose and glucose were the main sugars in the soft-ripening stage. The trend of sucrose accumulation, the activities of the sucrose metabolism-related enzymes and the expression of the sucrose metabolism-related genes indicated that 130–145 days after full bloom (DAFB) might be the critical period of sucrose metabolism. The results are of great significance for clarifying the developmental characteristics and dynamic changes in the sugar components in A. eriantha fruits, and lay a foundation for further studying of the mechanism of sugar metabolism in A. eriantha.

Background: NAC transcription factors (TFs) are plant-specific proteins encoded by a large gene family. They play important roles in diverse biological processes, such as plant growth and development, leaf senescence, and responses to biotic or abiotic stresses. Functions of a number of NAC TFs have been identified mainly in model plants. However, very few studies on NAC TFs have been conducted in the fruit tree of kiwifruit. Results: Genome-wide NAC genes were identified and their phylogeny, genomic structure, chromosomal location, synteny relationships, protein properties and conserved motifs were analyzed. In addition, the fruit developmental process was evaluated in a new kiwifruit cultivar of Actinidia eriantha 'Ganlu 1'. And expressions for all those NAC genes were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR method in fruits of 'Ganlu 1' during its developmental process. Our research identified 142 NAC TFs which could be phylogenetically divided into 23 protein subfamilies. The genomic structures of those NAC genes indicated that their exons were between one and ten. Analysis of chromosomal locations suggested that 116 out of 142 NACs distributed on all the 29 kiwifruit chromosomes. In addition, genome-wide gene expression analysis showed that expressions of 125 out of 142 NAC genes could be detected in fruit samples. Conclusion: Our comprehensive study provides novel information on NAC genes and expression patterns in kiwifruit fruit. This research would be helpful for future functional identification of NAC genes involved in kiwifruit fruit development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The innate immune mechanisms by which adjuvants enhance the potency and protection of vaccine remain at cellular level, but the molecular mechanisms, especially in vivo , are ill-identified. Actinidia eriantha polysaccharide (AEPS) is a potent adjuvant with dual Th1 and Th2 potentiating activity, while Alum elicits a strict Th2 response. The current experiments were designed to compare the innate immune responses in the peritoneal cavity of mice induced by two adjuvants and explore their molecular mechanisms using gene expression microarray including long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). AEPS induced the recruitment of monocytes, neutrophils and dendritic cells. However, Alum recruited neutrophils and eosinophils. AEPS and Alum specifically induced the differential expression of 546 and 922 genes in peritoneal cells, respectively. AEPS induced higher mRNA expression of CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL7, CXCL2, CXCL3, CXCL5, CXCL10, IL-12β, and IL-23α in immune effector process, while Alum tended to Th17 response mRNAs such as IL-7A, IL-17F and IL-17RA. Furthermore, a robust adjuvant-specific expression pattern of lncRNAs was found in above mentioned biological processes, suggesting the involvement of lncRNAs in immune responses induced by AEPS and Alum. This study led to a better understanding of different molecular mechanisms of adjuvants and benefited the rational design of effective vaccines. Unlabelled Image • Alum and AEPS differentially mediated immune response at the transcriptional level. • Alum induced IL-7A, IL-17F and IL-17RA, while AEPS induced IL-12β and IL-23α. • LncRNAs were involved in adjuvant-mediated immune processes in mice. • Some lncRNAs were predicted as signature candidates of each adjuvant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polysaccharide from the roots of Actinidia eriantha (AEPS) is a potent antitumor agent and immunological adjuvant. The recent evidences indicate that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play essential roles in regulating the activation and function of immune cells. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression profiles of lncRNAs and mRNAs and explore the role of lncRNAs in AEPS-activated RAW264.7 cells using whole gene expression microarray. AEPS induced the differential expression of 1,807 mRNAs and 506 lncRNAs in RAW264.7 cells. The mRNA expression levels of both M1 and M2 specific cytokines and chemokines were significantly upregulated in RAW264.7 cells by AEPS. NF-κB inhibitors and shRNA-NF-κB p65 significantly decreased the up-regulation of IL-1β expression in RAW264.7 cells induced by AEPS. Five AEPS-induced lncRNAs (D730047E02Rik, Gm14047, A_30_P01020139, A_30_P01026293 and A_30_P01032196) were identified and predicted to locally regulate mRNA expressions of immune response genes in RAW264.7 cells through the specific interaction with NF-κB p65. The inhibition of NF-κB could significantly suppress the expression of these lncRNAs induced by AEPS. These results indicated that AEPS induced the activation of macrophages via lncRNAs/NF-κB networks. This study further expanded current knowledge on the mechanisms of plant polysaccharides. • AEPS could simultaneously activate TLR, RLR and NLR signaling in macrophages. • AEPS simultaneously induced the expression of both M1 and M2 specific genes. • Five lncRNA/mRNA pairs were involved in NF-κB signaling in macrophages by AEPS. • AEPS induced the activation of macrophages via lncRNAs/NF-κB networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polysaccharide from the roots of Actinidia eriantha (AEPS), a potent antitumor agent and immunological adjuvant, has been previously reported to activate RAW264.7 macrophages via TLRs/NF-κB signaling. The objective of this study was to investigate microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles and explore the role of miRNAs in AEPS-activated RAW264.7 cells using microarray assay and specific inhibitor. AEPS induced 82 differentially expressed miRNAs including 43 up-regulated and 39 down-regulated in RAW264.7 cells. A set of 11 differentially expressed miRNAs and their 62 target mRNAs were predicted to involve in activation of RAW264.7 cell induced by AEPS based on computational databases and validated reports. miR-155 inhibitor significantly down-regulated the mRNA expression of proinflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, COX-2 and NOS2), and blocked the production of NO in RAW264.7 cell induced by AEPS. The expression of accessory and costimulatory molecules (CD80, CD86, MHC I and MHC II) in AEPS-activated RAW264.7 cells was also remarkably reduced by miR-155 inhibitor. These results suggested that AEPS may induce macrophage activation through regulating miRNAs expression such as miR-155. This study further expanded current knowledge on the mechanisms of plant polysaccharides. • AEPS induced 82 differentially expressed miRNAs in RAW264.7 cells. • 11 miRNAs and 62 target mRNAs were involved in RAW264.7 cell activation by AEPS. • miR-155 inhibitor blocked activation of RAW264.7 cells induced by AEPS. • First profile miRNA expression in macrophage induced by plant polysaccharides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on organic acid metabolism have been mainly concentrated on the fruit, whereas, few have focused on the mechanism of high organic acids content in the fruit of Actinidia eriantha. Fruits of ‘Ganmi 6’ harvested at eleven developmental periods were used as materials. The components and content of organic acids were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system, the activities of the related enzyme were detected, and gene expression levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Components of ascorbic acid (AsA) and eight kinds of organic acids were detected. These results showed that quinic acid and citric acid were the main organic acids in the fruit of ‘Ganmi 6’. Correlation analysis showed that NADP-Quinate dehydrogenase (NADP-QDH), NADP-Shikimate dehydrogenase (NADP-SDH), and Cyt-Aconitase (Cyt-Aco) may be involved in regulating organic acids biosynthesis. Meanwhile, the SDH gene may play an important role in regulating the accumulation of citric acid. In this study, the activities of NADP-SDH, Mit-Aconitase (Mit-Aco), and NAD-Isocitrate dehydrogenase (NAD-IDH) were regulated by their corresponding genes at the transcriptional level. The activity of Citrate synthase (CS) may be affected by post-translational modification. Our results provided new insight into the characteristics of organic acid metabolism in the fruit of A. eriantha.

The complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of Actinidia eriantha was sequenced and assembled using Illumina paired-end data. The cp genome from A. eriantha is 156,964 bp in length, composed of a pair of 23,892 bp inverted repeat regions (IR) separated by a large single copy region (LSC) of 88,639 bp and a small single copy region (SSC) of 20,541 bp. The cp genome contained 113 unique genes, including 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four ribosomal RNA genes. The phylogenetic position of A. eriantha based the cp genome data was sister to the group A. rufa, A. deliciosa, and A. chinensis.

Ethnopharmacological relevance The roots of Actinidia eriantha Benth have been used clinically to treat a variety of cancers in traditional Chinese medicine. The polysaccharide from this drug (AEPS) was previously reported to be a potential antitumor agent with immunomodulatory activity. However, the mechanisms of its antitumor action in immunomodulation have not yet been well-defined. Aim of the study To investigate the effects of AEPS on the phenotypic and functional maturation of dendritic cells and to explore the intracellular signaling mechanisms of its antitumor action in the immunomodulation. Materials and methods The effects of AEPS on the phagocytic activity, expression of surface molecules, mRNA and protein expression levels of cytokines and chemokines in mouse bone-marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) were determined by flow cytometry, qRT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. The transcriptional profile induced by AEPS was established using oligonucleotide microarray, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was used to identify potential signaling pathways. Western blotting, neutralization experiments and inhibition assay were performed to confirm signaling pathway involved in maturation of DCs induced by AEPS. Furthermore, we discussed the downstream effects of the action of AEPS using clustering, network and pathway mapping approaches. Results AEPS could significantly reduced phagocytic activity, promoted expression of accessory and co-stimulatory molecules, and up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of cytokines and chemokines in BMDCs. Microarray assay revealed that AEPS induced significantly differential expression of 452 genes including up-regulated cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-12p40, IFN-β and IFN-γ), chemokines (MIP-1α, MIP-1β, CCL5, MDC and MCP-1), transcription factors (STAT1, STAT2, STAT5b, IRF1 and IRF7) and pattern recognition receptors (TLR3, DDX58, DHX58 and IFIH1) in the BMDCs. AEPS-induced production of TNF-α and IL-12p40 from BMDCs was inhibited by antibodies against TLR2 and TLR4. Furthermore, AEPS induced the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 in a time-dependent manner, and BAY 11-7082, an inhibitor of NF-κB, remarkably suppressed the production of cytokines induced by AEPS. Conclusion AEPS triggers the phenotypic and functional maturation of DCs via TLR2/4 and NF-κB signaling pathway, resulting in augmented antitumor immune responses. Our results suggested that AEPS might be helpful in potentiating the efficiency of DC-based cancer immunotherapy. This study further expanded current knowledge on the mechanisms of antitumor action of AEPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actinidia eriantha Benth. is a diploid perennial woody vine native to China and is recognized as a valuable species for commercial kiwifruit improvement with high levels of ascorbic acid as well as having been used in traditional Chinese medicine. Due to the lack of genomic resources for the species, microsatellite markers for population genetics studies are scarce. In this study, RNASeq was conducted on fruit tissue of A. eriantha, yielding 5,678,129 reads with a total output of 3.41 Gb. De novo assembly yielded 69,783 non-redundant unigenes (41.3 Mb), of which 21,730 were annotated using protein databases. A total of 8,658 EST-SSR loci were identified in 7,495 unigene sequences, for which primer pairs were successfully designed for 3,842 loci (44.4%). Among these, 183 primer pairs were assayed for PCR amplification, yielding 69 with detectable polymorphism in A. eriantha. Additionally, 61 of the 69 polymorphic loci could be successfully amplified in at least one other Actinidia species. Of these, 14 polymorphic loci (mean NA = 6.07 ± 2.30) were randomly selected for assessing levels of genetic diversity and population structure within A. eriantha. Finally, a neighbor-joining tree and Bayesian clustering analysis showed distinct clustering into two groups (K = 2), agreeing with the geographical distributions of these populations. Overall, our results will facilitate further studies of genetic diversity within A. eriantha and will aid in discriminating outlier loci involved in local adaptation.

Kiwifruit has a high commercial value and is especially rich in vitamin C. Successful fruit set in kiwifruit depends on several reproductive processes including pollen germination and pollen tube growth. In this study, we investigated impacts of heat stress temperatures (27, 30, 33 and 36 °C) on pollen germination and pollen tube growth of 25 wild genotypes ofActinidia eriantha. Before heat stress application, pollens were stored at −20 °C for 6 months. The results showed great variation among genotypes in each treatment. Eight genotypes showed no significant change in the reduction of germination percentage. Some genotypes gave unsteady response in tube growth. MH22, MH30 and MH58 were evaluated as more tolerant genotypes. In contrast, MH48 and MH67 were the two most sensitive genotypes. The research of heat stress impact on pollen germination and pollen tube growth will be helpful for breeding new varieties and the identified tolerant genotypes can be used in future breeding programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this research, eight kiwi fruit genotypes (six hardy kiwis ( Actinidia arguta and their hybrids), one of Actinidia deliciosa 'Hayward,' and one of Actinidia eriantha 'Bidan' were examined and compared by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Proteins were extracted from lyophilized fruits, flesh with seeds, grinded seeds, and singular seeds and then separated by SDS-PAGE. Matrix similarity and dendrogram was generated using Nei coefficient and Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic mean (UPGMA) algorithm. Based on protein patterns, Actinidia species were clearly distinguishable, whereas differences between hardy kiwi fruit cultivars were minor or nondetectable. The electrophoretical separations were able to distinguish a half of hardy kiwi fruit cultivars, so cluster analysis revealed a limited number of cultivar groups. Intervarietal polymorphism was low and this affected the results of similarity analysis. One distinct cluster, composed of two pairs of cultivars and identical by protein patterns, was obtained. Cultivars 'Ananasnaya' and 'Weiki,' according to the morphological description, were similar. Oppositely, 'M' cultivar significantly differed from other hardy kiwi cultivars by densitometrical bands intensity. All examined singular seeds of 'Ananasnaya' cultivar possessed identical protein patterns. The protein patterns of 'Bingo' and 'Ananasnaya' hardy kiwi fruits harvested in 2011 and 2013 were identical. Three weeks storage after harvest did not affect the protein composition of these cultivars. FT-IR and NMR spectrum of hardy kiwi fruits were presented and compared with 'Hayward' and 'Bidan' and showed slight differences in comparison with the protein profiles. SDS-PAGE is more applicable than FT-IR and NMR for comparison of different kiwi fruit cultivars. The used analytical methods can be applied to any food analysis in order to distinguish the main compounds and to present fingerprints of different cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polysaccharide from the roots of Actinidia eriantha (AEPS), a potent antitumor agent and immunological adjuvant, was investigated for the immunomodulatory effects on RAW264.7 macrophages and its molecular mechanisms. AEPS could significantly enhance the pinocytic and phagocytic activity, induce the production of NO, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-1β and IL-6, and promote the expression of accessory and costimulatory molecules in RAW264.7 cells. PCR array assay revealed that AEPS up-regulated 28 genes including TLRs (TLR2, TLR8, TLR9), proinflammatory factors (IL-1β, G-CSF, IL-1α, GM-CSF, IL-6, COX-2, TNF-α, IFN-β, CXCL10, CCL2, TNF-β, IL-10), and the genes involved in NF-κB signaling pathway, and down-regulated 6 genes such as TLR3, TLR4, PGLYRP1, EIF2αK2, MAP3K1 and IRF1. AEPS was further showed to promote cytoplasmic IκB-α degradation and increase nuclear NF-κB p65 levels in RAW264.7 cells. These results suggested that AEPS activated RAW264.7 macrophages and elicited a M1 and M2 response through TLRs/NF-κB signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The molecular mechanism of AsA changes in Actinidia eriantha after bagging has been studied for the first time. • Through untargeted metabolomics and RNA-Seq of the A. eriantha 'Ganlv 1′ fruit after bagging were analyzed to reveal the metabolites changes and the underneath gene expression network changes. • Provide novel insights into the effects of bagging on changes in the intrinsic and appearance quality of A. eriantha fruit. Fruit bagging is an effective way of producing pollution-free fruit. However, the micro-environment provided by bagging for fruits could reduce the internal quality for most fruits in various degree. As a novel berry fruit, kiwifruit (Actinidia eriantha) has great potential for development. We found a change in fruit quality after fruit shading by bagging (FSB). In order to explore the regulatory mechanism of FSB on fruit quality, we used off-target metabolomics and transcriptomics to identify differential metabolites and differential genes, and focused on the molecular mechanism of the decrease in AsA content. We found that the contents of soluble solids (SSC), soluble sugar (SS), ascorbic acid (AsA), chlorophyll and carotenoid in the FSB fruit were significantly reduced. Through the non-targeted metabolome, a total of 160 metabolites showed significant differences in fruit tissue. There were 3,200 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between FSB and control by RNA-Seq and enriched in 118 KEGG metabolic pathways. The decrease of AsA content after FSB was mainly due to the decrease of DHAR gene, MDHAR gene, APX gene and the increase of MDHA metabolite during the AsA-GSH cycle process. The decrease of GalUR gene in d -galacturonic acid pathway and the decrease of GulLO gene and Myo-inositol metabolite in Myo-inositol pathway were the secondary reasons for the decrease of AsA content. This study would provide novel insights into the effects of FSB on changes in the intrinsic and appearance quality of A. eriantha fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Actinidia eriantha Benth. (Called Maohuamihoutao in China) is a plant that has been utilized as a heat-clearing drug in She ethnic minority group for a long time in China. Specifically, it has been involved in the treatment of stomach cancer, colon cancer, cirrhosis with ascites, chronic hepatitis, leukemia, rectal prolapse, hernia and uterine prolapse. Pharmacological research provides partial evidence for the traditional use of A. eriantha and might have demonstrated the folk utilization of A. eriantha to combat many cancers. Crude extracts and relatively pure components of A. eriantha possess a variety of pharmacological activities, including anti-cancer, immunoregulatory, anti-angiogenic, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. In addition, over 104 chemical substances have been determined from A. eriantha , involving terpenoids, alcohols, phenolics, aldehydes, organic acids, flavonoids glycosides, ketones, and glucoside. The existing literature reveals that a large proportion of the therapeutic effects of A. eriantha were rendered by the polysaccharides. However, the mechanisms of action and the structure-function correlations of these compounds, as well as the synergistic and antagonistic effects between them, need to be investigated further. Therefore, we propose that future studies on A. eriantha should focus on comprehensively assessing its medicinal quality, exploring its multi-target nature using network pharmacology approaches, and evaluating its long-term toxicity and efficacy in vivo ., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Wang, Gao, Sun, Zhu, Qin and Zhu.)

Abstract: Aroma compounds in fruit are known to occur in free and glycosidically bound forms. The bound volatile fraction of a low flavour kiwifruit species, Actinidia eriantha, was studied. The fruit have a bland and grassy flavour. Glycosidic precursors were isolated from juice by adsorption onto an Amberlite XAD-2 column. After enzymatic hydrolysis with Rapidase AR2000, the released aglycones were analysed by GC–MS. Alcohols, terpenoids and phenolics were the most numerously represented compound classes. Alcohols, benzenoids and phenolics showed the highest concentrations. Major compounds were 2-phenylethanol, furfuryl alcohol, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, coniferyl alcohol, isoamyl alcohol and linolenic acid. Several of the bound compounds found, including linoleic, linolenic and benzoic acids and coniferyl alcohol, are precursors of odorous volatiles. Many compounds detected as bound volatiles have not been previously reported as free volatiles in A. eriantha. The bound volatile composition of A. eriantha also showed differences with those of other kiwifruit species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article describes the horticultural traits of Jinyan, a yellow-fleshed, late season kiwifruit cultivar developed by the Wuhan Botanical Garden at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Information on the origin of Jinyan is also provided. It has dark brown one-year-old shoots, while its petiole is yellowish brown in color. The color of its flower petals is white, while its five to six sepals are green. Also included is a description of the fruit's color, size, weight and taste.

We report the release of a new, largefruited kiwifruit cultivar, 'White', selected from Actinidia eriantha. Fruit of 'White' had a mean fruit weight of 94 g, and a maximum fruit weight of 132 g at harvest in Zhejiang, China. The mean fruit weight is c. 2-4 times that of wild A. eriantha fruit found in Zhejiang and nearly 4 times that of 'Bidan', the only other registered A. eriantha cultivar. The fruit are oblong and the peelable skin is covered with dense white hair. The flesh of ripe fruit is green and has good eating quality but little juice. The soluble solids concentration was 14.7%, total sugar 9%, total acid 1.24%, and vitamin C 628.37 mg/100 g fresh weight. Its harvest season is during the last 10 days of October in the south of Zhejiang province, which is c. 2 weeks later than A. deliciosa 'Bruno' in the same area. It is sometimes referred to as the "banana kiwifruit" because the skin is easy to peel. This new cultivar has been registered in China (PVR No. CNA20050673.0). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]