Kiwi, also known as kiwifruit, is becoming an increasingly popular fruit crop among farmers in India, especially in the hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Nagaland. Its high nutritional value, attractive appearance, and growing market demand make it a profitable fruit crop. Different kiwi varieties vary in taste, size, color, and growth habit. Understanding these varieties helps farmers choose the best one for their climate and soil conditions.
1. Hayward
Hayward is the most widely grown and popular kiwi variety both in India and around the world. It produces large, oval-shaped fruits with brown, hairy skin and bright green flesh. The fruit is sweet with a balanced tartness.
Features:
Late-maturing variety
High yield potential
Good storage and transport quality
Suitable for commercial farming
Farmers prefer Hayward because it fetches good market prices and has strong demand.
2. Allison
Allison is another commonly grown kiwi variety known for its medium-sized fruits and pleasant flavor. The fruit has green flesh similar to Hayward but matures earlier.
Features:
Early-maturing variety
Known for better flavor and aroma
Suitable for areas with a slightly shorter growing season
It performs well in both high-altitude and mid-altitude regions.
3. Bruno
Bruno produces long, cylindrical fruits with dark brown skin and green flesh. It has higher vitamin C content than many other varieties.
Features:
Early bearing
Heavy yielder
Suitable as a pollinizer for other kiwi varieties
Bruno is often planted along with Hayward or Allison to support pollination.
4. Abbott
Abbott is a medium-sized kiwi variety that matures earlier and is suitable for cooler regions. It has smooth skin and sweet green flesh.
Features:
Early-maturing
Good eating quality
Needs pollinizer varieties for proper fruit set
Abbott is known for its strong plant vigor and adaptability.
5. Monty
Monty produces small to medium-sized fruits with good sweetness and flavor. It is more vigorous and suited to slightly warmer regions compared to other kiwi varieties.
Features:
Medium yield
Good plant growth
Useful as a pollinizer
Though not as popular commercially as Hayward, it performs well in diverse conditions.
6. Golden Kiwi (Yellow Kiwi)
Golden kiwi varieties have smooth, hairless skin and bright yellow flesh with a sweeter taste. Some popular types include ‘Hort16A’ and ‘SunGold’.
Features:
Higher sweetness compared to green kiwi
Attractive color and high market value
Requires careful management and disease protection
Golden kiwi is becoming more popular in India due to its premium pricing.
7. Red Kiwi
Red kiwi varieties have green-to-red flesh and a sweeter taste. They are still new in India and grown on a small scale.
Features:
Unique color
Good sweetness
Limited availability of planting material
Red kiwi is mostly used for niche markets and trials.
Pollinator Varieties
Kiwi requires male and female plants for fruiting. Common male pollinizers include Tomuri and Matua, which are planted in a ratio of 1 male plant for every 7–8 female plants. Proper pollination ensures better fruit size and higher yield.
