Persimmon Germplasm Resources and New Varieties Breeding

The persimmon team, supervised by Prof. Luo, Zhengrong, consist 4 members including Zhang, Qinglin, Xu, Liqing and Guo, Dayong. The team were awarded the “Huanai Horticulture Science and Technology Prize” in 2016. Now the team form 3 research filed on Fruit Germplasm, Biotechnology Breeding and Phylogenetics and Evolution of Fruit Tree.

The team collected a series important persimmon genetic resources. The evolution route, expanding way and distribution of Chinese PCNA (Pollination Constant Non-astringent) persimmon were elucidated. Physiological mechanism and breeding application of Chinese PCNA were clarified. A fast genetic improvement technique system was established on Chinese PCNA, which would shorten the breeding period to 8-10 years (conventional breeding 12-19 years). Heavy or precious metal adsorbents were developed by using dropped young fruits or wasted peel after dried persimmon making. We published nearly 300 academic papers, released 3 cultivars and authorized 7 Chinese Invention Patents.