ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the ecophysiology of persimmon and discusses the environmental limitations to production. Persimmon has been cultivated in China for several thousand years, where over 2000 cultivars have been selected. Persimmon is a member of the genus Diospyros containing over 400 species which occur predominantly in tropical and subtropical environments. The pollination constant astringent (PCA) form is the oldest and comprises almost all the Chinese cultivars and several Japanese cultivars. Pollination variant astringent (PVA) and non-astringent (PVNA) forms originated in Japan about 1200 years ago and exhibit flesh darkening when pollinated. The phenological sequence of development is bud burst; shoot elongation; cessation of shoot growth; full bloom; fruit growth; floral bud development for the subsequent season; resting of floral bud development; fruit maturation; and leaf-fall. This sequence of development is specific to cultivar, environment, tree condition, and management practices.
