Biotechnological interventions for genetic amelioration of <i>Actinidia deliciosa </i>var. <i>deliciosa </i>(kiwifruit) plant

Abstract

Kiwifruit <i>(Actinidia deliciosa </i>var <i>deliciosa) </i>is a recent introduction among the promising fruit crops. Popularity of its

nutritious fruit berries has created a substantial demand for quality planting material, which needs to be planted in certain

proportions of female and male plants for <i>Actinidia </i>is dioecious. The large-scale propagation of planting material can be

achieved through micropropagation; whereas, it's quality and clonal nature need to be ensured, preferably, through

molecular markers. With further popularity of this fruit crop, tailor-made genotypes will be required, which can be made

possible through biotechnological interventions. As <i>A. deliciosa </i>is limited in its adaptation to a very narrow range of agroclimatic

conditions, there is also a need to develop cultivars endowed with traits of wider adaptation. So that this fruit crop

can be cultivated in larger range of geographical areas. Development of micropropagation protocols, identification of gender

at seedling stage, identification of molecular markers to test genetic/clonal fidelity and incorporation of genes for genetic

amelioration are the issues that need immediate consideration. Some of these issues have been addressed in the present

paper.

&nbsp;