Root distribution of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) in a deep sandy loam soil of the Te Puke district, New Zealand

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Abstract
Quantitative data on the root distribution of mature kiwifrit vines — Actinidia deliciosa cv. Hayward (A. Chev.) C. F. Liang et A. R. Ferguson — growing in a deep sandy loam soil of the Te Puke district were obtained by coring. Root distribution followed a pattern which appeared to be influenced by the soil horizons. Root density varied from 0.01 to 1.95 cm/cm3. In a total sampling depth of 4 m, 46% of the total root length was found between 2 and 4 m. It appears likely that substantial root densities exist at even greater depths. The mean length of root/unit ground surface area (129 cm/cm2) was higher than the values recorded for many other temperate fruit crops. Comparison of cores taken at 0.5 and 1.5 m from vine stems revealed relatively little decline in root density over this distance.