HortResearch and Genesis Research have issued genetic data for kiwifruit to help fruit breeders to develop new varieties.
The data includes over 130,000 gene sequences which allow scientists to map different characteristics of the fruit.
A plant bio-chemist, William Laing, says the genes determine characteristics such as flavour, colour, shape, vitamin content and aspects of fruit development such as ripening and storage life.
He says the data is being released in an on-line science publication. The gene sequences are also being made available to an American gene bank, which is publicly available.
