Persimmon Research Orchard and Germplasm Collection

In spring, 1998, an American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) orchard was initiated at the Southwest Center. Twelve seedlings were planted that first year and the orchard has steadily grown in size since. We now have 70 trees established with plans to eventually include 98 trees in one of the largest American persimmon research orchards in the world.

The original objective was simply to provide a display and raise awareness of the many very high quality native persimmon cultivars available. But as we have seen, first-hand, the tremendous interest and potential with this crop, our objectives have expanded. We now have 21 different grafted persimmon cultivars in our collection (Table 1), and most trees are being established with seedling rootstocks of known female parentage for potential future rootstock experiments. The trees are spaced 30 by 30 feet and occupy 2.0 acres near the headquarters building. We eventually plan to establish a randomized, replicated cultivar evaluation in collaboration with Missouri State University=s State Fruit Experiment Station at Mountain Grove. Once established and fruiting, a variety of fruit quality, processing, breeding, and other studies may be initiated. Several of the earliest-grafted trees are now producing fruit.

In 1972, Jim Claypool of St. Elmo, Illinois initiated a persimmon breeding program, systematically intercrossing the best available varieties with the most desirable characteristics. He eventually created a priceless orchard of over 2,000 trees, from which data continue to be gleaned more than 30 years later. Some very promising commercial-quality persimmon selections have been made from this orchard, and we are gradually collecting and grafting a number of Claypool's best selections for evaluation in southwest Missouri (Table 1).

Improved persimmon cultivars have significantly larger, more colorful, flavorful, and extra-sweet fruit with far fewer seeds compared to wild trees. Some even produce fruit that ripens in late summer (instead of fall) with little or no astringency. Others may be extra productive, faster-growing and disease resistant. A few recent hybrids have been produced by crossing the American persimmon with the Asian kaki persimmon (D. kaki), which we are also evaluating.

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