Relationship between Ca, K and Mg concentration and browning of blossom end part of 'Fuyu' sweet persimmon during MA storage

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the relationships between fruit Ca, K, and Mg concentrations and browning of blossom end part (BBEP) of the 'Fuyu' persimmon during modified atmosphere (MA) storage. Calcium concentration of the soils and stem bark were significantly lower in an orchard where the browning of persimmon fruit occurred than in an orchard producing normal fruit. However, K and Mg concentration of the soils and stem bark were not different between the two orchards. Calcium concentration of the flesh and peel was lowest in the blossom end part of the fruit (BEP) where the browning symptoms were most severe. The severity of BBEP of the fruit appeared to be directly related to the Ca concentration of peel and flesh. The Ca/K+Mg ratio of fruit also had a relationship to the BBEP. There were negative correlations between Ca/K, Ca/Mg, and Ca/K+Mg in fruit peel and flesh. Accordingly, low Ca concentration in the fruit appeared to be a major factor inducing the browning symptoms in the BEP of the 'Fuyu' persimmon during MA storage at low O 2 and high CO 2 .