Fruit characteristics and storability of 'Fuyu' persimmon as affected by location of the orchards and position within the tree canopy.

This study was conducted to assess the effect of environmental factors on fruit characteristics of ‘Fuyu’ persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.). The fruits were collected from 6 orchards at slop and low lands, respectively, in Changwon and Gimhae districts in Gyeongnam province and additionally harvested inside and outside the tree canopy from 3 slop land orchards. Fruits from slop lands tended to mature earlier than those from low lands. Fruits outside tree canopy were weighed heavier by 20% and colored better than those inside the canopy, but showed significantly lower firmness. Different locations of the orchard and position within the tree canopy did not affect concentration of inorganic elements in fruits except potassium that was significantly higher in those inside the tree canopy. Percent fruit with softening after low temperature storing for 96 days was only 1.1% in fruits inside the tree canopy due to higher firmness, while 6.1% outside the canopy. Fruit size was negatively related to fruit firmness (r＝-0.680*), and percent fruit with softening was related to soluble solids (r＝0.672*), Hunter a (r＝0.675*), and fruit firmness (r＝-0.673*).