Evaluation of Some Agronomical Characters and Resistance to Botrytis of the New Kiwifruit cv. 'Tsechelidis' (A. deliciosa) in Comparison to the cv. 'Hayward'

Fruits of the cultivar (cv.) 'Tsechelidis' ripened about one week earlier and at harvesting had significantly higher total soluble solids and acidity, but lower firmness. However, after 4 months at cold storage, there were no significant differences concerning firmness and total soluble sugars for the two cultivars. The new cultivar 'Tsechelidis' had higher yield and fruit weight, fruit uniformity and lower percentage of 'double', 'triple' and 'flat' fruits than 'Hayward'. Therefore, the cost for cultivating this cv. is lower since the labour expenses for thinning and harvest are lower than 'Hayward'. Vines of the cv. 'Tsechelidis' were found to be more resistant to low temperatures that occurred during harvest. Furthermore, artificial inoculations of fruits with conidia of the fungus Botrytis cinerea