Changes of respiration rate during development and ripening of Japanese persimmon and tomato fruits

Abstract

1. The Changes of respiration rate of Japanese persimmon (var. Fuyu) and tomato (var. Fukuju No. 2) fruits were observed during their development and ripening.
2. While the climacteric rise of respiration was observed clearly in tomato fruits during their development, it was not so clearly observed in Japanese persimmon fruits.
3. Both persimmon and tomato fruits had a rise on the respiration curve after picking at any stage of growth.
4. The young fruits of both persimmon and tomato showed“ripening-like”processes after picking, with the rise of the respiration rate.
5. In Japanese persimmon, “button drop”was observed after picking of the fruits within two months after flowering, but it was not observed after picking of the fruits beyond two months.
There was no direct relationship between“button drop”and the presence of seeds in the fruits.