Design and experiment of pollination wind tunnels: a novel approach for studying artificial pollination in kiwifruits

• Designed a plant protection wind tunnel specifically for kiwifruit pollination experiments. • Measured the performance of a precision liquid pollination device for kiwifruit under different wind speed conditions. • Developed an experimental section and detection method that allows for direct observation of pollen distribution. Due to its dioecious nature, kiwifruit relies heavily on artificial pollination in commercial cultivation. To investigate the influence of wind on this process, a plant protection wind tunnel was developed for kiwifruit pollination experiments. The tunnel’s contraction, flow straightening, and test sections were optimized based on agronomic requirements. Performance tests showed that the tunnel could generate wind speeds ranging from 1 to 15 m/s, with a maximum turbulence intensity of 2.57 % and a boundary layer thickness below 5 mm in the test section—meeting the conditions needed for pollination studies. Air-assisted atomizing nozzles were employed to conduct liquid pollination under different wind conditions. The results indicate that wind speed significantly influences pollination effectiveness, with higher speeds reducing pollen deposition in the floral region. The tunnel design and experimental findings offer valuable insights for wind-assisted pollination research and the development of agricultural pollination technologies.