This study was carried out determination of characteristics of leaf and fruit of 13 astringent persimmon (Diospyros kaki) cultivars cultivated in Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. In leaf size, Deabonggam was smaller than that of other astringent persimmon cultivars, however, Dansungsi and Bansi were largest compared to other persimmon cultivars. Fruit width size of Sancheong Deabonggam and Bansi were the biggest. And fruit width size was the biggest in Sancheong Deabonggam. When same cultivars as Dansungsi and Godongsi were cultivated at other regions, it was not somewhat different in fruit weight. The size of fruits of the cultivar varied depending on the maturation of the fruits. In immature fruit, Curigam and Susi cultivars were the biggest and these cultivars were also were the biggest in mature-green fruit. In full ripe fruit, Hamyang Daebonggam and Hadong Daebonggam and Daeheakmu were bigger than that of other cultivars. When the astringent persimmon varieties collected in July were divided into three clusters, group A had a higher leaf area and the lightest fruit weight than the other clusters. In cluster C, the leaf area was small, but the fruit weight was classified as heavier than the other clusters. This study is expected to be widely used for breeding, conservation and processing of sweet persimmons.

An efficient method for the rapid micropropagation of Camptotheca acuminata from axillary buds was established by application of various plant growth regulators. Among various cytokinins, 0.5 mg L-1 BA showed the best performance on shoot multiplication, number average multiple shoots up to 10.8. The propagated shoot cuttings in vitro were elongated on NN basal medium without plant growth regulators. The secondary multiple shoots were induced at the site of initially induced buds. Rooting was induced directly near the base of the shoot on half-strength NN medium containing 0.5 mg L-1 of IBA, whereas high concentration of 1.0 mg L-1 IBA could induce callus at the base of the shoot. The camptothecin content, anticancer compound of the micropropagated plants was contained in various tissues. Camptothecin contents were 1.8 and 2.5 mg g-1 dry weight in stems from propagated in vitro and mother plant, respectively. This result may be used to develop strategies for large-scale propagation of elite C. acuminata trees.