Selection of Interstocks for Dwarfing Japanese Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) Trees

Abstract

Effects of interstocks on the growth and fruit quality of ‘Fuyu’ Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) were investigated to select an effective dwarfing interstock of this species. The performance of four interstocks (Ac-1, Ac-2, Y clones, and a seedling of Diospyros rhombifolia) was evaluated in combination with ‘Aogaki’ (D. kaki) seedling rootstocks and ‘Fuyu’ scions over a six-year period. Ac-1 and Y interstocks moderately reduced the tree size without influencing yield efficiency (yield per unit of crown area). In contrast, Ac-2 and D. rhombifolia interstocks reduced both tree size and fruit yield (kg/tree), and many of these trees died within a few years after planting. Annual fluctuations and no consistent trends were observed in the fruit weight among control and interstock trees. These results show the possibility of dwarfing ‘Fuyu’ trees by using Ac-1 and Y as interstock.