Department of Grape and Persimmon Research is located in Akitsu, Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, an area characterized by a warm climate and relatively low rainfall during the growing season. The department conducts research and development in grape and persimmon breeding, including cultivar improvement, germplasm development and conservation, and the development of technologies that enhance breeding efficiency. Through these efforts, it has developed notable cultivars such as the grape Shine Muscat and the persimmon Taishu.
In addition, the department is working on the development of cultivation systems for grapes that enable early yield increases and facilitate the use of mechanized operations, including robotic technologies. For persimmons, research includes evaluating the productivity of dwarfing rootstocks that have been developed in recent years.
Furthermore, the department is engaged in the development of comprehensive diagnostic technologies for grapevine viral diseases. It is also working to establish environmentally sustainable pest management systems for scale insects, which are difficult-to-control pests, by utilizing native natural enemies and other approaches to reduce environmental impacts while ensuring stable fruit production.
