Goheung County in Jeollanam-do (Governor Gong Youngmin) announced that it will operate a 'Pollen Bank' until June to support the production of high-quality kiwifruit.
Kiwifruit requires artificial pollination because the blooming periods of female and male flowers differ. Farmers use pollen collected and frozen from the previous year for artificial pollination. For successful fertilization and good fruit set, the pollen must have a high germination rate, which also improves the quality and sugar content of the fruit, enhancing its marketability.
Accordingly, the Agricultural Technology Center's Pollen Bank is equipped with 13 types of devices, including an anther separator and a pollen sorter, and now provides a free service to test the germination rate of pollen stored by both farmers and the Pollen Bank during the artificial pollination season.
In addition to supporting self-made pollen, the Pollen Bank also offers long-term storage services so that leftover pollen after artificial pollination can be used the following year in preparation for weather-related disasters, helping farmers reduce management costs. Farmers can receive various services by contacting the Agricultural Technology Center in advance and visiting the facility.
An official from the Goheung County Agricultural Technology Center stated, "The first step to premium kiwifruit begins with pollination," and added, "We will actively promote the use of high-quality, highly viable pollen to produce top-quality kiwifruit."
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