Open Access

ARTICLE

Effects of Actinidia valvata Rootstock on Photosynthetic Characteristics, Carbohydrate Metabolism, and Fruit Quality of Actinidia deliciosa cv. ‘Guichang’

Fujian Shan^1,2,#, Yi Yang^2,3,#, Liangliang Li^3,4, Tao Li^2,5, Wenwen Su⁴, Zhencheng Han^2,*, Yuanxun Tao^2,*, Xiaopeng Wen^1,*, Weijie Li^2,*

1 Institute of Agrobioengineering, College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
2 Guizhou Botanical Garden, Guizhou Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, China
3 College of Forestry Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
4 Guizhou Institute of Mountain Resources, Guizhou Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, China
5 College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China

* Corresponding Authors: Zhencheng Han. Email: ; Yuanxun Tao. Email: ; Xiaopeng Wen. Email: ; Weijie Li. Email:
# These authors are equal contribution to this work

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2026, 95(7), 19 https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2026.084154

Received 16 April 2026; Accepted 18 June 2026; Issue published 30 July 2026

Abstract

Rootstock plays an important role in commercial horticultural production by influencing scion growth, physiology, and fruit quality. However, information on the effects of different rootstocks on kiwifruit growth and fruit quality remains limited. In this study, Actinidia valvata was evaluated as an experimental rootstock and compared with the commonly used A. deliciosa rootstock to investigate their effects on photosynthetic characteristics, carbohydrate metabolism, and fruit quality of A. deliciosa cv. ‘Guichang’. Leaf photosynthetic parameters, fruit quality attributes, carbohydrate contents, and the activities of enzymes related to sucrose and starch metabolism were investigated during fruit development and postharvest ripening. The results showed that vines grafted onto A. valvata exhibited higher photosynthetic performance at certain developmental stages. Favorable changes were also detected in several physiological indicators associated with starch and sugar accumulation. In addition, fruits from plants grafted onto A. valvata exhibited enhanced activities of key enzymes involved in sucrose and starch metabolism at specific sampling stages. However, for many measured variables and time points, no significant differences were detected between the two rootstocks. Overall, these results suggest that A. valvata has potential as an alternative rootstock for ‘Guichang’ kiwifruit, particularly with respect to carbohydrate metabolism, although its overall performance was broadly comparable to that of A. deliciosa.

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Keywords

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