Yield, growth and fruit quality of the persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) in south-east Queensland

Abstract

Six persimmon cultivars were tested in a coastal subtropical climate and evaluated during their first 3 years of production. Tanenashi, Tsuro magri and Hyakumo, which are dwarf and precocious, produced the highest yields ranging from 50 to 24 kg per tree in their fifth year after planting. Nightingale, which is semi-dwarf, did not bear well until the fifth year when it produced 26 kg. The vigorous Dai Dai Maru and Flat Seedless produced only 16 and 4 kg, respectively, in the fifth year. All the cultivars were of good appearance except for Hyakumo which had dark flesh caused by cross pollination-induced seed development. Hyakumo also had internal flecking due to tannin spots in the flesh. Only Hyakumo produced non-astringent fruit, which was also the most susceptible to fruit fly and bird damage. Only Nightingale and Flat Seedless had a distinctive flavour; the rest were sweet and bland. Nightingale is recommended for planting.