Calcium nitrate delays climacteric of persimmon fruit

Abstract

Summary Calcium nitrate (20 g litre −1 ) delayed persimmon ( Diospyros kaki ) ripening on the tree and also reduced postharvest fruit deterioration when applied prior to fruit colour break. The magnitude of the response depended on the date of treatment. Application made one month prior to the peak of estimated commercial harvest was the most efficacious, and colour development, fruit softening and ethylene production were significantly retarded by the treatment. At harvest, there was no effect on fruit size or soluble solids content. Although there was a tendency for the content of soluble solids and fruit firmness to decrease with storage period, firmness of treated fruit was maintained.