Storage life of non-astringent persimmons grown in the eastern Mediterranean

The storage life of the non-astringent persimmon cultivars 'Fuyu', 'Jiro', 'Amankaki' and 'Hana Fuyu' grown in the eastern Mediterranean region has been studied. Persimmon fruit were harvested at commercial maturity and stored at 0 degrees C and 85-90% relative humidity. Neither chilling injury nor fungal decay were observed in 'Fuyu', 'Jiro' and 'Amankaki' over 150 days or in 'Hana Fuyu' over 120 days. Weight loss exceeded 10% in 'Fuyu' and 'Amankaki' fruit after 150 days and in 'Jiro' after 120 days. During storage, fruit softened and skin colour became darker (lower L* values) and deep orange-red (lower hue angle values) in all cultivars. Total soluble solids (TSS) content and titratable acidity did not change significantly. Results confirm that 'Fuyu' and 'Jiro' can be stored under these conditions for up to 150 days and 'Amankaki' and 'Hana Fuyu' for up to 120 days.