Articles
EXTENDING THE MARKETING SEASON OF NON-ASTRINGENT PERSIMMON (DIOSPYROS KAKI L.) GROWN IN SUB-TROPICAL AUSTRALIA
Article number
409_7
Pages
75 – 84
Language
Abstract
The non-astringent persimmon industry in Australia is based on the cultivar Fuyu, which on any one site is harvested over a 2 to 4 week period.
Many growers in the sub-tropics of Australia are trialing earlier and later cultivars to extend their marketing season.
This study evaluates Fuyu, two earlier cultivars (Izu and Oku Gosho), and a later cultivar (Suruga), in terms of their ability to meet market requirements and extend the marketing season of non-astringent persimmons grown in the sub-tropics.
Measures of yield, fruit quality, and marketability were made of fruit produced in south-east Queensland over a four year period from 1989 to 1992. Fuyu produced medium to large fruit (182 g) of acceptable colour and sweetness.
Productivity was moderate to high, but marketability was only fair.
Izu was the earliest harvested (Fuyu -37 days), and its colour, sweetness and size (172 g) were acceptable.
Productivity was moderate, but marketability was low.
Oku Gosho produced fruit of acceptable size (171 g), sweetness and colour, harvested between Izu and Fuyu (Izu +10 days, Fuyu -27days). Its productivity and marketability were both low.
Suruga produced medium to large (182 g), sweet, well coloured fruit, harvested late in the season (Fuyu +19 days). Its productivity was moderate and marketability fair.
Common causes of non-marketability for all cultivars were small size and the presence of calyx cavity.
The fruit of all cultivars was non-astringent at harvest, and stored for more than 10 days at 20 degrees Centigrade.
Results indicate that Izu, Fuyu and Suruga grown in the sub-tropics can satisfy market requirements, and can extend the length of a grower’s marketing season, although improved management to reduce causes of non-marketability such as skin blemish are necessary.
Oku Gosho may not be suitable because overall productivity was low (9.9 t/ha) and the incidence of distal end cracking high.
Research is needed to identify cultivars to fill a gap of about one month between the harvests of Izu and Fuyu.
Matsumoto Wase Fuyu and Ichikikei Jiro are suggested as cultivars which could fill this gap.
Many growers in the sub-tropics of Australia are trialing earlier and later cultivars to extend their marketing season.
This study evaluates Fuyu, two earlier cultivars (Izu and Oku Gosho), and a later cultivar (Suruga), in terms of their ability to meet market requirements and extend the marketing season of non-astringent persimmons grown in the sub-tropics.
Measures of yield, fruit quality, and marketability were made of fruit produced in south-east Queensland over a four year period from 1989 to 1992. Fuyu produced medium to large fruit (182 g) of acceptable colour and sweetness.
Productivity was moderate to high, but marketability was only fair.
Izu was the earliest harvested (Fuyu -37 days), and its colour, sweetness and size (172 g) were acceptable.
Productivity was moderate, but marketability was low.
Oku Gosho produced fruit of acceptable size (171 g), sweetness and colour, harvested between Izu and Fuyu (Izu +10 days, Fuyu -27days). Its productivity and marketability were both low.
Suruga produced medium to large (182 g), sweet, well coloured fruit, harvested late in the season (Fuyu +19 days). Its productivity was moderate and marketability fair.
Common causes of non-marketability for all cultivars were small size and the presence of calyx cavity.
The fruit of all cultivars was non-astringent at harvest, and stored for more than 10 days at 20 degrees Centigrade.
Results indicate that Izu, Fuyu and Suruga grown in the sub-tropics can satisfy market requirements, and can extend the length of a grower’s marketing season, although improved management to reduce causes of non-marketability such as skin blemish are necessary.
Oku Gosho may not be suitable because overall productivity was low (9.9 t/ha) and the incidence of distal end cracking high.
Research is needed to identify cultivars to fill a gap of about one month between the harvests of Izu and Fuyu.
Matsumoto Wase Fuyu and Ichikikei Jiro are suggested as cultivars which could fill this gap.
Publication
Authors
Ray J. Collins, Alan P. George, Robert J. Nissen
Keywords
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