Co-Authors:
Zilkah, S., Institute of Plant Sciences, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, P.O.B. 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
David, I., Institute of Plant Sciences, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, P.O.B. 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Lazar, M., Institute of Plant Sciences, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, P.O.B. 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Rotbaum, A., Institute of Plant Sciences, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, P.O.B. 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Faingersh, E., Institute of Plant Sciences, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, P.O.B. 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Abstract:
The persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) cv. 'Triumph' is parthenocarpic and nonastringent and is the most commonly grown persimmon cultivar in Israel. Deformation of the fruit shape significantly reduces the amount of marketable fruits and is one of the severe pomological problems. The proportion of abnormal fruits varies widely according to the environmental conditions prevailing in the specific growing area. Deep splitting between the carpels of the ovary is the most common type of deformation; others include double fruits and various asymmetric shapes of the carpels. The effects of shading (30%) by covering the trees with black net screens on fruit malformation, under three water irrigation regimes (50, 100 and 150% of the recommended amount) have been examined. Fruits were examined at the fruitlet stage after termination of the first abscission period in the spring time, and as mature fruits at picking time, and the rate of rejected fruits was recorded at the packing house. The results showed that fruits under shading were less malformed than those on exposed trees. The protective effect of the cover was more significant on the abscised fruitlets and on the mature fruits under 50% irrigation, whereas under 100% irrigation the protective effect of the shading was clearly expressed only on the mature fruits. It appears that fruit deformation might be reduced under conditions of shading and of sufficient irrigation.