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Although small-scaled breeding programs for apples, pears, and grapes were conducted in the 1930s and 1940s, national fruit breeding programs by the Korean government were commenced after the foundation of the National Horticultural Technical Institute on May 20, 1953, and the programs were confined to apples and pears. Peach and grape breeding programs were started after the establishment of Rural Development Administration (RDA), with the Horticultural Experiment Station as its affiliated research organization in 1962. However, because of insufficiencies in breeding infrastructure, manpower, and funds during the 1960s and 1970s, most efforts were devoted to the collection and selection of wild Akebia and Actinidia, local varieties of astringent persimmons, jujube, and apricot, and adaptability tests of foreign fruit varieties.

Persimmons are one of the most important export fruits in South Korea, where several tons are exported across the globe each year. In this study, the quality attributes of ‘Wonmi’ persimmon fruits were evaluated during an export simulation at 0 °C, 10 °C, and 24 °C with a combination of 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) treatments. The relative humidity during the export simulation was greater at room temperature (75–92%) and 0 °C (85% to 93%) than at 10 °C (42% to 60%). The results show that the application of 1-MCP and MAP treatments during the export simulation were effective in delaying the ripening of ‘Wonmi’ persimmons by reducing respiration and ethylene production. The suppressed expression of ethylene synthesis genes and cell wall modification genes reduced the ethylene production and maintain the fruit firmness, respectively. In addition, 1-MCP and MAP treatments were effective in maintaining SSC and color of ‘Wonmi’ persimmon fruits during the export simulation. Thus, by adopting these treatments, the overall quality of persimmon exports from South Korea can significantly improve.

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