The Performance of Persimmon ( Diospyros KakiThunb.) Cultivars Under Mediterranean Coastal Conditions in Hatay, Turkey

Abstract

The cultivation of persimmon has been increasing rapidly in the Mediterranean region recently. We investigated the performance, phenological and pomological characteristics of ten persimmon ( Diospyros kakiThunb.) cultivars (‘Amankaki’, ‘Eylül’, ‘Fuyu’, ‘Hachiya’, ‘Hana Fuyu’, ‘Harbiye’, ‘Jiro’, ‘Kaki Tipo’, ‘O’Gosho’, and ‘Vainiglia’) during 2001 to 2007 in the Mediterranean climate in Dörtyol, Hatay, Turkey. ‘Jiro’, ‘Fuyu’, ‘O’Gosho’, ‘Hachiya’ and ‘Eylül’ had small canopy volume. Fruit maturity occurred in the first week of October for ‘Amankaki’, ‘Eylül’ and ‘Hachiya’, which all matured earlier than other cultivars. The highest cumulative yields were obtained from ‘Vainiglia’ and ‘Amankaki’. The mean fruit weight varied from 251 g for ‘Hana Fuyu’ to 87 g for ‘Eylül’. ‘Eylül’ and ‘Hachiya’ had red skin, while that of ‘Vainiglia’, ‘Kaki Tipo’ and ‘Harbiye’ was yellow. The results demonstrate that regional ecological conditions are appropriate for the cultivation of persimmon. The yield of ‘Vainiglia’, ‘Jiro’, ‘Amankaki’ and ‘Fuyu’ was high and regular; ‘Eylül’ and ‘Hachiya’ had the most colorful fruit. We recommend ‘Vainiglia’, ‘Jiro’, ‘Amankaki’ and ‘Fuyu’ for commercial growing in the region.