The allopolyploid origin of kiwifruit, Actinidia deliciosa (Actinidiaceae)

The genetic origin of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa var. deliciosa) was studied using phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences derived from the polygalacturonase gene. Results indicate that hexaploid kiwifruit had an allopolyploid origin with the diploid A. chinensis contributing one genome (genome A) and another (as yet unidentified) diploid species contributing a second genome (genome B). The results leave open the question of whether a third, distinct species contributed to the hexaploid kiwifruit genome. A tetraploid race of A. chinensis is also suggested to be allopolyploid containing genomes A and B.