A comprehensive evaluation of genetic diversity in persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) germplasms based on large-scale morphological traits and SSR markers

•The genetic diversity was comprehensively evaluated based on morphological and SSR markers.•49 out of 66 morphological characteristics presented coefficient of variation (CV) greater than 51%.•Seven main phenotypic components were able to justify 85.17% of total variance.•Growth potential was significantly correlated with flower sex, stigma length, grooves on fruit side, and sepal curl pose characters.•Bud sports, synonymous, and offspring persimmons could be successfully identified by morphological and SSR markers.