Effect of different shading times on the fruit quality of 'Fuyu' Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.)

This study was undertaken to examine the effect of shading on fruit size and quality of Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.). Shading was carried out at three different fruit growth stages by covering the primary scaffold limbs of 'Fuyu', adult trees with black cheesecloth which gave 60 % shade on an overcast day. Shading from late May to late July caused smaller fruit size, lower soluble solids, and retardation of fruit color. The same tendency was observed on the fruit grown under shading from early August to early October. Although there was no significant difference in fruit size, soluble solids, and fruit firmness at harvest between shading of mature stage from late October to late December and that of non-shading treatment, fruit color was retarded by shading. These data indicated that low solar radiation for the primary fruit growing season decreases fruit size and delays fruit coloration.