Optimization of postharvest Technology for "Rojo brillante" Persimmon and Introduction of New Varieties in the Mediterranean Area

Abstract

The third and fourth countries in persimmon production are the Republic of Korea and Japan with a production of 346,479 and 208,000 tonnes, respectively. In the Republic of Korea, the non-astringent cultivar 'Fuyu' is the primary cultivar, which accounts for almost 82% of the total production, followed by 'Jiro' with 9.8% (Choi et al., 2014). In Japan, 'Fuyu' and the PVA cultivars 'Hiratanenashi' and 'Tonewase' are the three most important cultivars. Approximately 57% of the persimmon cultivated area is dedicated to these cultivars (Kono & Sato., 2016). In these two countries, the Republic of Korea and Japan, most persimmon production is consumed as dried fruit and is used in various types of cuisine and confectionery.Persimmon production in Azerbaijan, Brazil and Uzbekistan is 160,092 tonnes, 156,935 tonnes and 71,214 tonnes, respectively. Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan focus on local astringent varieties. In Brazil, the most cultivated varieties of persimmon are 'Rama forte' and 'Giombo', which belong to the PVA group. 'Taubate' (PCA) and cultivar 'Fuyu' are also cultivated in this country (Neuwald et al., 2009; Tessmer et al., 2014).In Italy, almost 90% of the total production is based on 'Kaki Tipo' (PVNA). The rest of the varieties are 'Vainiglia', 'Mercatelli', 'Moro' (PVNA), and PCNA cultivars like 'Gosho', 'Jiro' and cultivar 'Fuyu' (Bellini & Giordani, 2003). Moreover, the introduction of 'Rojo Brillante' has been the main innovation in the Italian persimmon production in recent years (Giordani, 2002; Bellini & Giordani, 2005).Nowadays, persimmon production in Israel has reached 28,000 tonnes, in which the cultivar 'Triumph' accounts for 90% of the total persimmon fruit marketed under the 'Sharon' or 'Sharoni' brands (Llácer & Badenes, 2002).Persimmon production in Iran is about 22,474 tonnes and most of the cultivars are astringent, which are commonly commercialized as over-ripened soft fruit in domestic markets (Shahkoomahally & Ramezanian, 2013; Bagheri et al., 2015).