INDIGENOUS PERSIMMON GERMPLASM RESOURCES IN CHINA

China is one of the centers of origin for the genus Diospyros L.. 56 native species and 1 varied species are distributed mainly in subtropical regions of China, and only few of them can survive in the north of China. D. kaki Thunb., D. lotus L., D. oleifera Cheng., D. glaucifolia Mect., D. rhombifolia Hemsl., D. cathayensis Steward. and D. kaki var. sylvestris Mak. are the main species having close relationship with fruit tree and ornamental use. Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) is the most important cultivated species with long history in China. More than 70 cultivars were recorded during Chinese ancient times, and some names have been used till now. D. lotus, the only cold adaptable species of Diospyros L., is extensively used as rootstock in the north persimmon production area of China. D. oleifera, D. glaucifolia and D. kaki var. sylvestris were often used as rootstock in the south of China. D. rhombifolia and D. cathayensis can be used as a potted landscape. More than 500 accessions of persimmon germplasm resources native in China have been collected and preserved in National Field Gene bank for Persimmon located in Yangling, Shaanxi, China. Morphological characteristics of each accession have been described and recorded for years. A part of elite germplasm was selected according to identification on morphology, physiology, cytology and molecular biology of persimmon resources. Resources with special traits are elucidated, especially for early maturation cultivar, with high SSC, high quality for table and processing resources. The other resources including ‘ye-mao-shi’ (wild persimmon with pubescent skin), ‘honghuaciyeshi’ (wild persimmon with female red flower), ‘honghuaxiongyeshi’ (wild persimmon with male red flower) and ‘Jinzaoshi’ (golden color date-like persimmon) are discussed for their phylogenetic positions on the basis of morphological characteristics and molecular markers.