SUMMARY

Studies were directed to investigate fruit development following fertilisation, ideal maturity time, ripening characteristics, storage conditions to minimize quality losses, and effects of postharvest treatments on storage life of kiwi fruit variety Hayward, which is grow in the Yalova ecology.

Fruit Development Studies: Fruit growth was followed during subsequent of 19 weeks followed fruit set, cumulative increase in fruit diameter was found as 166%, and 125% in fruit length. Weekly increase in fruit weight was over 100% and reached 100 g at 15-17 weeks as the fruit reached vine maturity. Soluble solid (SS) measurement showed steady increase and became more prominent after 15^th week finally reaching 8% on the 19^th week. At ideal maturity the minimal SS content was 7.0-7.5%.

Maturity Studies: When fruits reached SS value of 5.5-6.5% harvesting was initiated and sustained 5 times by weekly intervals. Weight loss and titratable acidity lessened as the fruits advanced in maturity. During storage both the fruit flesh firmness and the firmness of the columella decreased in all harvests. Ascorbic acid content also decreased as the storage period increased. In contrast, reducing sugars and total sugar content increased during storage.

When fruits of different harvest transferred to 20ºC room for subsequent ripening, early harvest did not yield good quality and many fruits not ripened at all. Whereas, later harvests provided conditions for better ripening qualities.

Storage Studies: Several studies were conducted during storage. Modified Atmosphere (MA) and Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage conditions were found to be highly beneficial resulting in minimal quality losses.