The influence of exposure to light on the phenolic content of ‘Fuji’ apple

In this study, the influence of changes in fruit lighting on individual and total phenols in ‘Fuji’ apple, as well as color development was studied. Content levels of eight quercetin glycosides, five anthocyanins, two catechins and a hydroxycinnamic acid in the skin of apples were analyzed, using high-performance liquid chromatography, tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Total phenol, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were determined by spectrometry. The purpose of this study was to compare content levels of those compounds in apple skin of fruit grown in different parts of the tree canopy, under and outside of the hail net. Lighting of fruit was measured during the last month before harvest. The lowest values were measured in the inner fruit and higher ones in the outer parts of the canopy, while the highest values were measured in fruit growing at the top of the tree. The hail net had no influence on the decrease of lighting in comparison to the control. Light conditions in the tree canopy influenced lower content levels of quercetin glycosides and most anthocyanins in the fruit skin in the inner part of the tree canopy, whereas fruit from the canopy top contained the highest levels of quercetin glycosides and cyanidin glycosides. Catechin, epicatechin and chlorogenic acid content levels in apple skin were independent of fruit position in the canopy or hail net usage, except for chlorogenic acid, where the content level was higher in cases when the orchard was covered with a hail net. Fruit from the top and outer parts of the canopy had a darker and redder coloration than inner fruit, while no influence of canopy position on chlorophyll and carotenoids was detected. Since quercetin glycosides and cyanidin glycosides are influential in red skin color development, better coloration of fruit from the outer and top canopy was observed. More intensive lighting stimulated a higher content level of flavonoids and, consequently, better coloration, which is an important factor in fruit quality.     

Yield and fruit quality of ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apple trees protected by white anti-hail net

Covering apple orchards with nets protects them from hailstorms but this changes the amount and quality of the light supplied to the trees. This study was carried out to assess the effects of shade provided by white protection net on yield and fruit quality of apple orchards in Southern Brazil, along three growing seasons (2002/2003, 2003/2004, and 2004/2005). ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apple trees (on MM111 rootstock, raised as slender spindles, with a spacing of 5.5 m × 3 m) were left uncovered (control trees) or covered with white net. The white net reduced the photosynthetically active radiation (λ = 400–700 nm) accumulated over the trees’ canopy along a day by 18.4%, leading to a higher leaf chlorophyll content in both cultivars, and a higher specific leaf area in ‘Gala’. The shade provided by the net did not affect yield and increased fruit average weight in both cultivars. At harvest, the number of seeds per fruit and severity of russet were not affected by netting in both cultivars, as well as the incidence of watercore in ‘Fuji’. The main beneficial effects of the white net were the reduced incidence of sunburn on ‘Gala’, reduced incidence of bitter pit during cold storage in both cultivars, and reduced incidence of apple scab at harvest and of decay after cold storage in ‘Fuji’. Fruit fly damage in ‘Gala’ (assessed in one season) was reduced by netting. However, netting affected negatively some fruit quality attributes. ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apples from trees protected by the net had a poor skin color (pale blush and a more intense green background color) at harvest. The net reduced flesh firmness and SSC, and increased the starch index of ‘Gala’ apples at harvest, and reduced flesh firmness and SSC, assessed after cold storage and shelf life, in fruits of both cultivars.     

Effect of distance from early flowering pollinizers ‘Maypole’ and ‘Dolgo’ on ‘Fiji’ fruit set

An apple orchard consisting of a single cultivar under the condition of natural pollination must have suitable pollinizers such as Crab apples to ensure stable fruit production. We selected ‘Maypole’ and ‘Dolgo’ as pollinizers for the cultivar ‘Fuji’, and investigated the rate of fruit and seeds in ‘Fuji’ fruits produced by pollen of the pollinizers. We developed a method for tracing pollen flow based on the leaf color of progeny and S-RNase allele of ‘Maypole’, and on Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) analyses of ‘Maypole’ and ‘Dolgo’. These were powerful tools for determining the distance insects (mainly Osmia cornifrons) carry pollen from the pollinizers to ‘Fuji’. Although the fruit set of ‘Fuji’ apples was not reduced with increasing distance between ‘Fuji’ apple trees and pollinizers (probably due to pollen flow from other commercial cultivars planted outside the area), the rate of ‘Fuji’ apple fruit produced by the pollen of the pollinizers decreased with increasing distance. The rate of fruit produced by the pollinizers was 84% and 77% when ‘Fuji’ was 2.5 m from ‘Maypole’ and ‘Dolgo’, respectively, and 71% and 64% when ‘Fuji’ was 5 m from ‘Maypole’ and ‘Dolgo’, respectively, but was reduced to 47% and 39% when ‘Fuji’ was 10 m from ‘Maypole’ and ‘Dolgo’, respectively. However, the spacing could cause reduced fruit size, and require extra fruit thinning for producing large fruits. It could also cause reduction of the yield for increasing the planting area of pollinizers. We recommend that pollinizers should be planted not more than 10 m from ‘Fuji’.     

Delayed harvest improves red blush development and quality of ‘Cripps Pink’ apple

The poor red blush development on ‘Cripps Pink’ (Malus x domestica Borkh.) apple fruit at commercial maturity (CM) reduces the economic return to apple growers in warmer regions of the world. The effects of delayed harvest maturity up to 6 weeks following CM on the development of red blush and fruit quality of ‘Cripps Pink’ apple were investigated at two locations in Western Australia during 2003 and 2004. The red blush, export-grade fruit, total anthocyanin, cyanidin 3-galactoside, chlorogenic acid, catechin, and epicatechin of apple fruit skin tissues increased with advancement of harvest maturity at both locations in both years, whereas hue angle, concentration of phloridzin, fruit firmness, and titratable acidity (TA) of apple fruit tissues decreased with delayed harvest. The internal ethylene concentration was elevated with the delayed harvest. The concentrations of quercetin 3-galactoside, quercetin 3-arabinoside, quercetin 3-rutinoside, quercetin 3-rhamnoside, and quercetin 3-glucoside increased up to 2 weeks following CM, and then declined in 2003 at both locations and at Perth Hills in 2004. Delayed harvest resulted in improved development of red blush on the fruit surface, accumulation of total anthocyanin, cyanidin 3-galactoside, chlorogenic acid, catechin, epicatechin, and quercetin glycosides in fruit skin, SSC:TA ratio and reduced fruit firmness possibly due to the increased ethylene production.     

Cultivar variation in apple peel and whole fruit phenolic composition

The quali-quantitative distribution of phenolic compounds varies considerably between apple flesh and peel, but the concentration of phenolics is substantially higher in the peel than flesh. Because the peel comprises only a small percentage of the entire fruit weight, its significance as a donor of phenolics is disputable. We assessed the contribution of the peel to the total phenolic yield of 19 apple cultivars. Calculations were based on the weight of the whole fruit and the peel (which is frequently discarded) and the concentration of individual phenolic compounds. On average, 8, 24, 32, 50 and 66% of chlorogenic acid, (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, phloridzin, and rutin, respectively, were present in the peel, which constitutes about 6–8% of the whole apple weight. With the exception of chlorogenic acid, 50% or more, on average, of the above phenolics were present in the peel of ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Idared’, ‘Red Rome’, ‘Jonamac’ and ‘Gloster’ apples; the highest percentage was found in ‘Starking Delicious’ apple peel (82%). The lowest peel contribution to total phenolic content per whole apple ranged between 26 and 29% and was observed in ‘Pilot’, ‘McIntosh’ and ‘Prima’ apples. Presented results may be useful for further investigations of the relationship between phenolics and agronomical parameters or future selection of apple genotypes having improved nutritional quality when consumed as fresh or as processed apple products.     

不同砧木嫁接的富士苹果幼树13C 和15N 分配利用特性比较

 以5 个砧木（平邑甜茶、八棱海棠、楸子、新疆野苹果、东北山荆子）与富士苹果嫁接组 合的2 年生幼树为试材,采用盆栽方法和碳氮双标记示踪技术,研究了5 个组合的生长特性及其对氮素 的吸收、分配、利用特性和光合产物分配状况。结果表明：富士/平邑甜茶组合生长量最大、富士/东北山 荆子组合生长量最小。富士/平邑甜茶组合对¹⁵N 的利用率最高,富士/楸子组合最低。¹⁵N 和¹³C 均主要分 配在叶中,其次是1 年生茎,最少的为2 年生茎;富士/东北山荆子组合叶中的¹⁵N 和¹³C 分配率最高, 富士/平邑甜茶组合根中的¹⁵N 和¹³C 分配率最高。从碳氮营养角度来看,富士苹果以平邑甜茶作砧木最 好。     

Harvest and post-harvest apple fruit quality following applications of kaolin particle film in South African orchards

Sunburn on apples in the Western Cape region of South Africa can result in yield losses of up to 50%. Application of kaolin-based particle film (Surround^® WP) increases leaf and fruit surface reflectivity, thus potentially reducing heat load and sunburn. Trials were performed during 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 to assess the effectiveness of kaolin particle film in controlling sunburn on ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Braeburn’, ‘Fuji’, ‘Royal Gala’ and ‘Cripps’ Pink’ apples. Fruit quality and ripening were monitored following 1–4 months in regular atmosphere cold storage at −0.5 °C. Sunburn on exposed fruit was significantly reduced in ‘Granny Smith’ and ‘Fuji’. Kaolin treatment improved fruit colour of ‘Granny Smith’ and ‘Royal Gala’, and delayed starch conversion in ‘Granny Smith’ at harvest and during the early storage period but not thereafter. Incidence of watercore at harvest was significantly reduced by kaolin treatment, but this disorder disappeared during cold storage in both treatments. There were no effects on skin anthocyanin or phenolic concentrations in any cultivar compared to unsprayed fruit.     

‘金冠’苹果与其无锈芽变的果皮性状比较和防锈技术研究

 为了阐明‘金冠’苹果果锈形成的时间与原因,探索防止果锈形成的方法,以‘金冠’及 其无锈芽变品种‘丰帅’为试材,利用体视显微镜和扫描电镜观察了果面果锈形成过程,测定了果皮色 素和次生代谢产物组分和含量。结果表明,花后4 周‘金冠’苹果果面尚无肉眼可见的果锈时,表皮细 胞蜡质层已经开裂、脱落;花后5 周表皮细胞角质层大量开裂,细胞壁木栓化;花后6 周,大量果锈出 现在果实表面。据此推断,花后4 ~ 6 周是‘金冠’苹果果锈形成的关键时期。另一方面,‘丰帅’果皮 叶绿素和类萝卜素含量显著低于‘金冠’,而总黄酮和绿原酸含量显著高于‘金冠’,特别是在花后4 ~ 6 周。花后4 周利用0.05 ~ 5 mmol · L-1 外源绿原酸处理,可以显著降低‘金冠’果皮果锈指数,且对果实 品质没有不良影响。因而,适当浓度外源绿原酸可望用于苹果防锈实践。     

Cellular compartmentation and membrane permeability to sugars in relation to early or high temperature-induced watercore in apples

Early watercore was observed in apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) from the outer canopy of ‘Orin’, an early watercore susceptible cultivar, while there was no watercore in ‘Orin’ fruit from the inner canopy and resistant ‘Fuji’. Sorbitol content was higher not only in the free space but also in the vacuole and cytoplasm in watercored ‘Orin’ than in other non-watercored fruit. Comparing watercored apples to non-watercored fruit of ‘Orin’, higher fructose and glucose in the vacuole and no significant difference in the distribution rate of sorbitol to each compartment were observed. Watercored ‘Orin’ apples showed significantly higher permeability of tonoplast to fructose, glucose, and sorbitol than those in other non-watercored apples. The permeability of plasma membrane to each sugar was much higher than that of tonoplast but no marked difference was observed among the treatments. The results suggest that metabolism of sorbitol could be active even in watercored ‘Orin’ apples and the accumulated sorbitol in the intercellular spaces might be primarily due to an active unloading from the phloem and not be brought by increased leakage from the cells.     

Comparison of two 6-benzyladenine formulations and carbaryl for post-bloom thinning of apples

Three trials assessed the effects of two 6-benzyladenine (BA) formulations, CyLex^® and Accel^®, and carbaryl/thiram (C/T) combination sprays as secondary or post-bloom thinners of ‘Fuji’, ‘Delicious’ and ‘Golden Delicious’ apples. Ethephon was applied as a primary thinner at full bloom (FB) on ‘Fuji’ and ‘Delicious’, while NAA was used on ‘Golden Delicious’. CyLex and Accel were applied at different rates at 20 days after full bloom (dAFB) while C/T was applied as a tank mix either once, twice or three times at seven day intervals from 18 dAFB on ‘Fuji’. The ‘Delicious’ and ‘Golden Delicious’ were treated with either Accel or C/T. In ‘Fuji’, all CyLex treatments achieved target crop load levels and resulted in increased fruit weights, but neither Accel nor C/T achieved thinning or fruit weight targets. In ‘Delicious’ Accel showed no thinning effect, while C/T thinned slightly. Accel had no thinning effect on ‘Golden Delicious’. Accel caused development of pygmy fruit in both ‘Fuji’ and ‘Delicious’. All C/T, CyLex and Accel treatments increased fruit soluble solids in ‘Fuji’, while the CyLex and Accel treatments also increased fruit firmness over ethephon alone. Although not achieving target levels of thinning, C/T was more effective than Accel, however neither Accel or C/T improved fruit size. It is concluded that Accel is an ineffective thinner of ‘Fuji’, ‘Delicious’ and ‘Golden Delicious’, while CyLex is an effective and consistent thinner of the difficult to thin cultivar ‘Fuji’.     

Relationship between early watercore development and leaf photosynthesis or partitioning of photosynthates in apple

Seasonal changes in leaf photosynthetic rate and partitioning of ¹³C taken up by leaves were compared in relation to the development of early watercore using susceptible ‘Orin’ and resistant ‘Fuji’ apples (Malus domestica Borkh.). There was no difference between the cultivars in leaf photosynthetic rate from mid-July to mid-October. The extent of watercore in ‘Orin’ increased from mid-July and peaked in late-August, followed by a decrease through mid-October, while no watercore was detected during the experimental period in ‘Fuji’. Fruit fresh weight and soluble solids content (SSC) were higher in ‘Orin’ than ‘Fuji’ during the earlier stages. Leaf dry weight of ‘Orin’ was higher than that of ‘Fuji’ throughout the experimental period. Accumulation of dry matter in the fruit increased in both cultivars and ‘Orin’ kept significantly higher level than ‘Fuji’ from mid-July to mid-October. The amount of ¹³C distributed to ‘Orin’ fruit at 5 days after labeling was significantly higher than ‘Fuji’ in mid-July just before watercore started to occur. ¹³C taken up by ‘Orin’ fruit with prevalent watercore was also higher than ‘Fuji’ in late-August but the difference was not significant. In mid-October when early watercore was gradually reducing, ¹³C recovered by ‘Orin’ fruit decreased and was significantly lower than ‘Fuji’. The difference of partitioning pattern of ¹³C between the cultivars was associated with the susceptibility to early watercore as well as the changes in fruit growth and SSC. The seasonal changes in the amount of ¹³C distributed to ‘Orin’ fruit were also related to the fluctuations in watercore severity. The results suggest that active phloem transport might be the cause of early watercore in our previous work, which might be induced by the increased partitioning of assimilates to the fruit during summer in susceptible ‘Orin’ compared to resistant ‘Fuji’ and not by the higher potential of leaf photosynthesis.     

Parameters of inner quality of the apple scab resistant and susceptible apple cultivars (Malus domestica Borkh.)

Individual organic acids and sugars were analysed in the fruits of scab resistant and susceptible apple cultivars. The total sugars ranged between 128.2 and 191.6 g/kg, and the total organic acid between 5.1 and 13.4 g/kg. In the flesh and peels of different apple varieties single phenolics (gallic, protocatehuic, chlorogenic, caffeic, ferulic and p-coumaric acid, phloridzin, epicatechin, catechin, quercitrin and rutin) were analysed together with their total phenolic content (TPC). ‘Golden Delicious’ was the cultivar with the lowest TPC whereas ‘Rubinola’, ‘Jonagold’ and ‘Goldrush’ had the highest level of TPC in the pulp. Peels showed a 2–9 times higher phenolic content than the pulp. ‘Goldrush’ had the highest content of TPC in its peel. The total antioxidant capacity of peels was about 2–5 times higher than respective pulps. Scab resistant apple cultivars had significantly higher content of some single and total phenolic contents in comparison with the scab susceptible, especially the pulp.     

Content levels of various fruit metabolites in the ‘Conference’ pear response to branch bending

The response of ‘Conference’ pear subjected to branch bending in the content levels of various metabolites in its fruit was investigated. The fruits in commercial maturity were sampled in 2004 and 2005 from branches bent in the late summer of 2003 (the summer treatment), from branches bent in the late spring of 2004 (the spring treatment) and from control branches. The content levels of carbohydrates, organic acids and phenolic compounds were compared among treatments in two successive years. The fruit revealed various responses in content levels of metabolites. In the first year after bending, no significant differences were found in the content of each carbohydrate, but in 2005 by far the highest content level of glucose and fructose and the lowest content level of sucrose were found in fruits from the control. The control fruit showed significantly higher content levels of malic acid and lower content levels of some phenolics (chlorogenic and vanillic acid) in the first year after bending, but in the next year the opposite reaction occurred—the control fruit had the lowest content level of malic acid and the highest content level of epicatechin, quercetin-3-d-galactoside and quercetin-3-β-d-glucoside. The comparison of the two bending treatments alone in 2004 showed that the summer treatment often produced a slightly higher value of each phenolic in comparison to the spring treatment. However, in 2005 the significantly highest content of chlorogenic acid was in fruit from the spring treatment. Sorbitol, as well as citric acid, catechin and sinapic acid showed no clear tendency among treatments, neither in 2004 nor in 2005. It is suggested that these variations of ‘Conference’ fruit subjected to different bending treatments could not be the result of bending alone, but that they could be indirectly affected by other physiological responses of the fruit tree. However, it seemed that variations are affected by the time of bending and by the year-to-year, and such responses can be attributed to the ‘Conference’ genotype only.     

Volatile production by ‘Golden Delicious’ apples is affected by preharvest application of aminoethoxyvinylglycine

The effect of AVG application on the quality and volatile production of ‘Golden Delicious’ apples, grown in Chihuahua Mexico, was evaluated. AVG (125 g AVG/ha) was applied on apple trees four weeks before harvesting. Apples were harvested 176 days after full bloom and stored at 8 °C for 35 d. Quality parameters and volatile compounds were periodically evaluated. AVG application retarded color changes, and preserved acidity of apples during storage. Ethylene synthesis was also delayed by AVG. Control apples presented higher total soluble solids content than AVG-treated apples at the end of cold storage. Volatile production was affected by AVG application, especially in the case of esters and alcohols, which presented 59% and 33% lower values in AVG-treated apples at the end of storage. A higher concentration of aldehydes was observed at harvest time in AVG-treated apples; however, no difference was observed between treatments during storage. Higher correlations between ethylene production and aldehydes and alcohols were found in control apples (0.98, and 0.98, respectively), than in AVG-treated apples (0.6 and 0.90, respectively). AVG application on ‘Golden Delicious’ apples conferred a variety of benefits, such as delaying maturation, maintaining color, and reducing changes in acidity and total soluble solids. However, AVG treatment negatively affects the production of some volatile compounds.     

Differential structure and physiological response to canker challenge between ‘Meiwa’ kumquat and ‘Newhall’ navel orange with contrasting resistance

Asiatic citrus canker caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc) is one of the most detrimental diseases affecting citrus production. ‘Meiwa’ kumquat (Fortunella crassifolia) and ‘Newhall’ navel orange (Citrus sinensis) are two genotypes with contrasting Xcc resistance. In the current study, efforts were made to perform pairwise comparison between them in terms of structural difference and biochemical response to Xcc attack. Pinprick inoculation demonstrated that ‘Meiwa’ had lower disease incidence rate and smaller lesion size, concurrent with significantly less bacterial number at the inoculation sites relative to ‘Newhall’. Microscopic observation demonstrated that stomatal density and size of ‘Meiwa’ were significantly smaller than ‘Newhall’. Stomatal apertures of ‘Meiwa’ were smaller than ‘Newhall’ measured at 2 h after their leaves were immersed in Xcc suspension, consistent with the bacteria number in the internal tissues counted at 4 d. Epicuticular wax content of ‘Meiwa’ was significantly higher than that of ‘Newhall’, while no difference in palisade and spongy tissue was observed between them. Enzymatic activity assay showed that after Xcc inoculation, ‘Meiwa’ exhibited significantly higher activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) in comparison with ‘Newhall’ at most of the sampling time points. Our data showed that the two genotypes with contrasting Xcc resistance exhibited clear difference in the structure and physiological response, which may provide information to facilitate our understanding of Xcc resistance.     

The effect of reflective foil and hail nets on the lighting,color and anthocyanins of ‘Fuji’ apple

We studied the influence of covering the orchard floor with reflective foil on photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) both under and outside hail nets, and the possibility that the reflective foil under the hail net compensates for light reduction in last month before harvest time. On the lower side of fruit in the canopy, the reflective foil increased PAR. The chromaticity value a^* showed a difference in the intensity of red coloration in the reflective foil and hail net treatments. Amounts of individual cyanidins were detected by using HPLC–MS. The accumulation of five individual anthocyanins (cyanidin-galactoside, three cyanidin-pentoses and cyanidin) was investigated during last month before harvest time. Concentrations of the main, cyanidin-galactoside in ‘Fuji’ apple increased before harvest time, and at harvest time the reflective foil caused an increase in all identified anthocyanins.     

Light penetration,growth, and fruit productivity in ‘Fuji’ apple trees trained to four growing systems

The study was conducted to document the range in soil nutrients, trunk and shoot growth, leaf characteristics and nutrient content, flower bud characteristics, yield, fruit quality, disease occurrence, light penetration, and shoot bark color in a 15-year-old ‘Fuji’ apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) orchard on M.26 rootstocks trained to four growing systems. SS trees naturally growing had greater width and volume than the LT lightly heading, MLT heavily heading, and S trees thinning and bending. LT trees had more upward terminal shoots at old branches, large numbers of lateral shoots, and longer total shoot length. Leaf [N], [P], and [K] were the lowest for the MLT trees. SS and S trees had greater flower bud density and fruit yield, but LT trees had poor fruit color and less soluble solids and firmness. Percent light penetration into the canopy was the highest with the S system but not different from MLT or SS. The lowest was for the LT system, however, it was not statistically different from MLT or SS.     

Rootstock effect on budburst of ‘Premier’ low-chill peach cultivar

To determine the effect of rootstock with different chilling requirements on the bud break of the low-chill ‘Premier’ peach cultivar (150 CH), the trees grafted on ‘Newbelle’ (150 CH) and ‘O’Henry’ (750 CH) seedling rootstocks were forced in a glasshouse after being subjected to 100, 200 and 300 CU chilling. The percentage of flower bud burst was slightly higher on ‘Newbelle’ than on ‘O’Henry’, although the difference was not significant. There was little leaf bud burst with 100 CU chilling on both rootstocks. With 200 and 300 CU chilling, the percentage of leaf bud burst and the total leaf number per tree was higher on the ‘Newbelle’ than on the ‘O’Henry’ rootstocks.     

Fruit set and embryo rescue in crosses using parthenocarpic ‘Mopanshi’ persimmon

The ‘Mopanshi’ persimmon is a seedless, astringent parthenocarpic cultivar that does not produce male flowers. After pollination using four non-astringent cultivars (‘Zenjimaru’, ‘Nishimurawase’, ‘Okugosho’ and ‘Hanagosho’), seeds were produced to different degrees. ‘Mopanshi’ fruits pollinated with ‘Zenjimaru’ produced far more seeds than those pollinated with the other three cultivars. The ratio of abnormal seeds obtained from the fruits pollinated with ‘Hanagosho’ was higher than that obtained from the fruits pollinated with the other three cultivars. Most embryos degenerated in the early to late stages of seed development. Immature embryos were cultured in a modified MS medium (half of NO₃ in MS medium + 0.4 μM BA + 0.1 μM IBA) with the greatest success (52–80%) from embryos taken from fruits 60–80 days after pollination. Seedlings failed to initiate radicles so they were transferred to dark culture conditions for 8 days or to a rooting media that contained 3% sucrose and 1% Chinese ink. The seedlings on the medium darkened with ink rooted at greater than 90.83% compared to 75.83% for dark cultured seedlings. This study demonstrated that ‘Mopanshi’ persimmon could be used as a female parent in crosses, but embryos needed to be moved to tissue culture conditions to continue to develop and form plantlets.