Harvest Time and Postharvest Behavior of Six Japanese Nonastringent Persimmon Cultivars Grown under Mediterranean Conditions
Date
2020Cita bibliográfica
Fathi-Najafabadi, A., Besada, C., Gil, R., & Salvador, A. (2020). Harvest Time and Postharvest Behavior of Six Japanese Nonastringent Persimmon Cultivars Grown under Mediterranean Conditions. HortScience, 55(11), 1766-1771.Abstract
Persimmon cultivation has significantly grown in the Mediterranean Region in
recent years. The production concentrates mainly in three astringent cultivars: Kaki
Tipo in Italy, Triumph in Israel, and Rojo Brillante in Spain. Therefore, the varietal
range expansion is one of the current challenges for persimmon producers in this area.
Moreover, the introduction of nonastringent persimmon cultivars is particularly interesting
because they can be commercialized immediately after harvest without applying
deastringency treatment before commercialization. This study evaluated the harvest
period and the postharvest response of six Japanese nonastringent cultivars (Kanshu,
Shinshu, Soshu, Suruga, Youhou, Izu). During two seasons, fruit from each cultivar were
harvested at two maturity stages. Fruit quality (external color, firmness, and total soluble
solids) was evaluated after harvest and after different commercial scenarios (domestic
market: 7 days at 20 8C, market to European Union (EU): 5 days at 5 8C plus 5 days at
20 8C, and market to countries with cold-quarantine treatment requirements: 21 days at
0 8C plus 5 days at 20 8C). Cultivars Kanshu, Shinshu, Soshu, and Izu were identified as
early cultivars, and Soshu was the earliest one, which reached commercial maturity at
the beginning of September. These four cultivars showed good quality after simulating
commercialization on domestic and EU markets. Cultivars Suruga and Youhou overlapped
the current harvest window, but their low chilling injury sensitiveness is
highlighted, so they are of special interest to be cold-stored at the end of the season to
be commercialized in overseas markets.