A new green-fleshed kiwifruit cultivar Nongda Qingmi (Actinidia deliciosa)

China is the largest kiwifruit producer in the world in terms of both harvested area and yield, with a diversified cultivar structure that includes green-, yellow-, and red- fleshed varieties. However, green-fleshed kiwifruit varieties account for the highest proportion, reaching up to 40%. In particular, in Shaanxi province, the proportion of green- fleshed kiwifruit varieties is as high as 70%, with cultivars such as Xuxiang, Cuixiang and Hayward, which have been cultivated for over 15 years, being the predominant ones. Thus, the breeding and promotion of new high-quality green-fleshed kiwifruit cultivars are of crucial importance. In 2005, seeds collected from Xuguan fruit that had been naturally pollinated were sown, and the F1 population was obtained in 2006. Through systematic observations of botanical traits, fruit characteristics, and genetic evaluations, a superior strain named Nongda Qingmi was identified. This strain demonstrated stable and distinct features compared to Xuxiang: larger fruit size, better flavor, an optimal balance of sweetness and sourness, and higher yield. After five years of regional trial evaluations from 2017 to 2022, the breeding process was completed, and the cultivar was registered in 2024. The one- year- old canes of Nongda Qingmi are covered with rough hairs on their surface. The leaves are broad obovate and semi-leathery, with wavy margins and green coloration. The single flower has a pedicel length of 52.09 mm and a corolla diameter of 56.73 mm, forming a dichasial cyme. The fruit is obovate in shape, with a rough hairy surface, averaging 87.53 g in weight and having a fruit shape index of approximately 1.29. The skin, flesh, and core of the fruit are dark brown, green, and off-white, respectively. The fruit offers a unique flavor, with a perfect balance of sweetness and sourness when ripe, and contains a soluble solids content of 19.80% , total sugars of 14.70% , total acids of 0.91%, and vitamin C of 2770 mg · kg-1 . The fruit can be stored for over 30 days under ambient conditions and 140-150 days when stored at 1.0 ± 0.5 ℃. In the Guanzhong area of Shaanxi Province, the phenological development includes flowering in early May and fruit maturation in early October, with a fruit growth period of 145-155 days. The cultivar exhibits vigorous growth with robust branching, characterized by a sprouting rate of 79.22% , branching rate of 58.69% , and fruit- bearing cane rate of 64.38%. Fruit-bearing primarily occurs on long canes. DNA analysis reveals significant differences between Nongda Qingmi and cultivars such as Xuxiang, Hayward, and Qinmei. Nongda Qingmi is suitable for cultivation in the northern foothills of the Qinling Mountains, southern areas of Shaanxi, and other similar ecological regions. It can achieve average yields of 30.38 t· hm- 2 during peak production periods. Cultivation techniques, including orchard establishment, selection of male plants, shaping and pruning, flower and fruit management, soil, fertilizer and water management, as well as disease and pest control, can refer to the practices used for Nongda Yuxiang, Nongda Mixiang, and Jinfu. The breeding and promotion of Nongda Qingmi can provide a new option for the variety renewal and upgrading of the kiwifruit industry in Shaanxi Province and even in China.