•Fruit size and quality have high repeatability and accurately in few measurements.•Selected genotypes have high genetic potential for lines and hybrids development.•Direct selection enables to ...identify superior individuals for specific traits.•Base population have the genetic variability to start the recurrent selection method.
The existing genetic variability in papaya crop can be explored in segregating populations, through breeding population methods, such as recurrent selection. The paper aims have been to estimate the repeatability coefficients, and select superior individuals from the base population of papaya recurrent selection. Sixteen traits were evaluated in 224 individuals, in three harvest seasons. The repeatability coefficients were estimated by REML/Blup method. The repeatability coefficient magnitudes were high (r > 0.60) for eleven traits, showing the genetic control and average traits stability along successive seasons. The gains with direct selection was two to three times higher compared with the combined selection index, and the direct selection is more indicated for short-term selection, aiming at the per se lines development. However, for the purposes of long-term individual’s selection, it is important to simultaneously utilize combined and direct selection, thus ensuring the favorable alleles sources to important traits. The current paper, it is shown that if on one side recurrent selection is a long-term strategy, on the other side the same offers opportunities to already select superior.
‘Einat’ (‘Redson™’) is a new triploid, red-fleshed pomelo × grapefruit hybrid. We examined the quality, flavor, bitterness and flavanone composition of ‘Redson’ fruit, as compared to 'Oroblanco', ...another pomelo x grapefruit hybrid, 'Star Ruby' grapefruit, 'Goliath' pomelo and 'Newhall' navel orange. ‘Redson’ fruit are seedless with a yellow peel and red flesh and have unique quality characteristics. Descriptive sensory tests revealed that ‘Redson’ fruit are bitterer than other citrus fruit, but earned a high consumer acceptance score and ranked first for preference among all bitter citrus fruits, including pomelo, grapefruit and their hybrids. ‘Redson’ fruit contained the highest amount of the bitter flavanone naringin, but had low levels of other bitter flavanones (neohesperidin and poncirin) and non-bitter flavanones (hesperidin and narirutin). Furthermore, we detected a high correlation (R2 = 0.957) between naringin levels and the sensation of bitterness among citrus fruit, featuring the importance of naringin in determining citrus bitterness.
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•Redson is a new pomelo × grapefruit hybrid with unique fruit quality characteristics.•Redson fruit have a unique and highly appreciated flavor with high bitterness.•Naringin is the main bitter flavanone in Redson fruit.•Bitterness significantly correlated to the levels of naringin in citrus fruit.
•High O2/N2 controlled atmosphere accelerated postharvest ripening of ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit.•High O2/N2 controlled atmosphere had no adverse effect on fruit quality.•Kiwifruit ripening was closely ...associated with energy levels.•Fruit under High O2/N2 controlled atmosphere had higher expression of ripening-related genes.
Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa cv. Hayward) was exposed to high O2/N2 controlled atmosphere (30 % O2 + 70 % N2) for 7 d at 23 ± 1 °C to evaluate the effects on postharvest ripening and fruit quality. The treated fruit exhibited a dramatic increase in soluble solids content (SSC) and a rapid decrease in firmness and titratable acidity (TA), accompanied by a noticeable change in flesh color and volatile organic compounds during the first 7 d. Fruit exposed to high oxygen concentration required 7 d to reach the edible firmness (∼ 10 N), while the control fruit needed 42 d. At edible firmness, no differences in the SSC, TA, and flesh color were observed between treated and untreated kiwifruit, although the concentration and amounts of volatile organic compounds showed a little difference. High O2/N2 controlled atmosphere advanced respiration rate peak, with an increase in the contents of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP). The treatment also increased catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed increased expression levels of AdAAC1, AdAOX2, AcEXP1, AcPL1, AcPG, AcACS, AcACO, and AcACO2 in the treated fruit. Thus, the study's results indicate that high O2/N2 controlled atmosphere could accelerate kiwifruit ripening and result in good fruit quality.
The study was conducted as open field trial, with irrigation, with the Clery strawberry variety. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of foliar application on berry and seaweed extract ...on the yield and quality of strawberry fruit (sugar, acid and anthocyanin content). The experiment was set up by random block system in 4 repetitions. The following treatments were applied to the strawberry crop: 1. control, 2. conventional NPK fertilization (10-52-10), 3. 30% reduced conventional NPK fertilization, 4. 30% reduced conventional fertilization + biostimulants. Due to arid growing conditions, NPK fertilizer was applied foliarly. Statistical analysis of the data showed significant differences between treatments in strawberry yield, and anthocyanins content. Compared to the control, the biostimulator had an effect on strawberry yield and total anthocyanin content, but not on the total soluble sugar and acid content of strawberry fruit.
Istraživanje je provedeno u poljskim uvjetima, uz navodnjavanje, sa sortom jagode Clery. Cilj istraživanja bio je ispitati utjecaj folijarne primjene biostimulatora na bazi ekstrakta bobica i morskih algi na prinos i kvalitetu ploda jagode (sadržaj šećera, kiselina i antocijana). Pokus je postavljen po slučajnom blok sustavu u 4 ponavljanja. Na usjevu jagoda primijenjeni su tretmani: 1. kontrola, 2. konvencionalna gnojidba NPK (10-52-10), 3. 30% reducirana konvencionalna gnojidba NPK, 4. 30% reducirana konvencionalna gnojidba + biostimulator. Zbog sušnih uvjeta uzgoja NPK gnojivo primijenjeno je folijarno. Statističkom analizom podataka dobivene su značajne razlike između tretmana u prinosu ploda jagode i sadržaju ukupnih antocijanina. U usporedbi s kontrolom biostimulator imao je utjecaj na prinos jagode i sadržaj ukupnih antocijanina, ali ne na sadržaj šećera i kiselina u plodu jagode.
This study investigated the efficacy of edible gum arabic (GA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) containing moringa (M) leaf extract as postharvest treatments for maintaining organoleptic quality and ...controlling Colletotrichum gloeosporioides on ‘Maluma’ avocado fruit. For the quality study, after the fruit was dipped into the treatments: GA 10%, GA 15%, GA 10% + M, GA 15% + M, and CMC 1% + M and uncoated fruit served as control, the fruit were then stored at 5.5 °C 95% relative humidity (RH) for 21 days, and moved to ambient conditions at 21 ± 1 °C (60% RH) for 7 days to simulate retail condition. Quality parameters that were evaluated include mass loss, firmness, and color changes (L*, a*, b*, respectively), and sensory quality attributes, such as taste, color, mouthfeel, odor, and overall acceptability. Fruit quality study results showed fruit coated with GA 15% + M and CMC 1% + M had lower mass loss (3.66%), retained firmness (62.37 N), and color changes L* (30.85), a* (−2.33) and b* (7.14) compared with other treatments. In this biofungicidal study on antimicrobial properties of extracts, treatments against fungi strains using an in vitro test were investigated, which showed treatments of moringa leaf extract, GA 10% + M, and GA 15% + M suppressed radial mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides by 30%, 28%, and 33%, respectively. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that GA 15% + M and CMC 1% + M retained fruit firmness and lowered weight loss and suppressed mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides on ‘Maluma’ avocado fruit. These edible coatings could therefore be an alternative organic postharvest coating treatment and could potentially be commercialized as a new organic biofungicide for the avocado fruit industry.
In nature, plants are frequently subjected to a wide range of abiotic stresses that drastically reduce crop productivity. Deficit in irrigation is one of the main factors of abiotic stresses that ...affect agricultural productivity. Nevertheless, not much research has been done on how to use water with brassinosteroids (Br) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)in deficit water conditions in order to reach comparatively good values of mango tree growth, productivity, and fruit quality as well as crop water productivity (WPC). A split-plot experiment in a complete randomized block system design study with 3 regulated deficit irrigation levels i.e. 100% IR (Irrigation requirement), 80% IR, and 60% IR was implemented in 2022 and 2023, each irrigation regime was combined with the foliar application of distilled water (control), 1 mg/L Br, 10 mM H2O2, 1 mg/L Br + 10 mM H2O2. Foliar treatments were applied at 3 different phenological stages: flower bud induction and differentiation, full bloom, and beginning of fruit set. The results showed that fruit shape index and acidity significantly improved as irrigation volume increased, however, the proportion of fruit mineral content and fruit chemical characteristics was inversely correlated with the volume of water. Meanwhile, moderate regular deficit irrigation (80% IR) achieved marked increases in leaf minerals and total chlorophyll content, fruit quality, yield, and water use efficiency. Drought stress (60% IR) significantly decreased fruit set, fruit retention, yield traits, and fruit physical and chemical properties, at the same time, significant improvements in the content of stress indicators (proline, total phenols, and carotenoids) were observed compared with control. All treatments with Br and H2O2 alone or in combination under drought stress had a pronounced effect in this regard. Overall, foliar spray of 1 mg/L Br+10 mM H2O2 was the most powerful treatment that emended the unpropitious effect of water stress.
•Br and H2O2 had a positive effect on withstand drought stress.•Br was more successful in mitigating drought-related damage.•Br and H2O2 can improve crop water productivity.•Br and H2O2 had a positive effect on fruit set and yield.•Br and H2O2 can improve nutritional status and fruit quality.
•The difference in microbial community depends on the abundance of dominant bacteria.•Biotic factors are the most important factor affecting the microbial community.•Compared with fungal, soil ...environmental factors have a greater impact on bacterial.•Soil biotic factors, abiotic factors, and microorganisms interact with each other.•The combined compost can achieve the effect that can't be achieved respectively.
A low-cost and sustainable composting strategy of grape branches and sheep manure is needed for vineyards. This study investigated the response of soil and grape plant characteristics to the compost, detected the changes in soil microbial community by high-throughput sequencing, and analyzed the relationship between soil microorganisms and soil characteristics and grape plant characteristics. The BM55 (1:1 grapevine branch to sheep manure by volume) group was the most effective treatment for increasing soil nutrients and enzyme activities. The BM3711Abbreviations: CK, Control check; GB, 100 % Grape branches; BM73, 70 % grape branches and 30 % sheep manure; BM55, 50 % grape branches and 50 % sheep manure; BM37, 30 % grape branches and 70 % sheep manure; SM, 100 % Sheep manure; Bd, Bulk density; Fc, Field capacity; EC, Electric conductivity; OM, Organic carbon; TC, Total C; TN, Total N; NO3, NO3--N; NH4, NH4+-N; OP, Olsen-P; AK, Available K, S-AKP/ALP, Soil alkaline phosphatase; S-CAT, Soil catalase; S-UE, Soil urease; S-SC, Soil sucrase. SS, Soluble solids; TA, Titratable acid; Ci, Intercellular CO2 concentration; Tr, Transpiration rate; Gs, Stomatal conductance; Pn, Net photosynthetic rate; SPAD, Chlorophyll content. (3:7 vol ratio of grapevine branches to sheep manure) treatment was the most effective in increasing fruit yield and quality. The dominant species of bacteria (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota) did not change but their relative abundance changed. Redundancy analysis showed that the soil biotic factors, abiotic factors, and microorganisms interact to form a complex relationship, in which biotic factors were the key factors influencing the composition and abundance of microbial communities, and the bacterial community was more sensitive than the fungal community. The combined composting stimulated microorganisms to participate in the synthesis and circulation of soil nutrients, which was not achieved by returning to the field respectively. Therefore, the combined composting is an effective way to enhance soil fertility, promote microbial metabolism, and improve fruit quality in vineyards, promote microbial metabolism, and improve fruit quality. Our results also provide a valuable scientific basis for understanding the interaction between soil microorganisms and soil properties as well as grape plant characteristics.
Commercial tomatoes are widely perceived by consumers as lacking flavor. A major part of that problem is a postharvest handling system that chills fruit. Low-temperature storage is widely used to ...slow ripening and reduce decay. However, chilling results in loss of flavor. Flavor-associated volatiles are sensitive to temperatures below 12 °C, and their loss greatly reduces flavor quality. Here, we provide a comprehensive view of the effects of chilling on flavor and volatiles associated with consumer liking. Reduced levels of specific volatiles are associated with significant reductions in transcripts encoding key volatile synthesis enzymes. Although expression of some genes critical to volatile synthesis recovers after a return to 20 °C, some genes do not. RNAs encoding transcription factors essential for ripening, including RIPENING INHIBITOR (RIN), NONRIPENING, and COLORLESS NONRIPENING are reduced in response to chilling and may be responsible for reduced transcript levels in many downstream genes during chilling. Those reductions are accompanied by major changes in the methylation status of promoters, including RIN. Methylation changes are transient and may contribute to the fidelity of gene expression required to provide maximal beneficial environmental response with minimal tangential influence on broader fruit developmental biology.
Post-genomics era has witnessed the development of cutting-edge technologies that have offered cost-efficient and high-throughput ways for molecular characterization of the function of a cell or ...organism. Large-scale metabolite profiling assays have allowed researchers to access the global data sets of metabolites and the corresponding metabolic pathways in an unprecedented way. Recent efforts in metabolomics have been directed to improve the quality along with a major focus on yield related traits. Importantly, an integration of metabolomics with other approaches such as quantitative genetics, transcriptomics and genetic modification has established its immense relevance to plant improvement. An effective combination of these modern approaches guides researchers to pinpoint the functional gene(s) and the characterization of massive metabolites, in order to prioritize the candidate genes for downstream analyses and ultimately, offering trait specific markers to improve commercially important traits. This in turn will improve the ability of a plant breeder by allowing him to make more informed decisions. Given this, the present review captures the significant leads gained in the past decade in the field of plant metabolomics accompanied by a brief discussion on the current contribution and the future scope of metabolomics to accelerate plant improvement.
•Water loss is a complex attribute involving multiple morphological, physiological and environmental factors.•The pre-harvest, harvest and postharvest factors influencing water loss in fresh fruit ...during storage were reviewed.•Fruit with tough thick rind such as pomegranate are more susceptible to water loss than fruit with thin peel at similar or optimal conditions.•The knowledge from this review facilitates the application of a multiscale approach to minimise postharvest water loss.
Physiological water loss is one of the many postharvest disorders in the fresh fruit industry. Water loss initiates wilting, shrivelling, browning, loss in fruit texture, flavour, and saleable weight and accelerates senescence. Currently, the water loss characteristics of many commercially important fruit are not adequately studied, therefore, a knowledge gap exists in understanding their mechanisms of losing water. A clear understanding of the factors influencing water loss is crucial in optimising the control strategies. This knowledge is also required to design and operate storage facilities to ensure the extension of the shelf life of fresh fruit and vegetables. This paper systematically identifies, interprets and discusses the major research works and findings relating to the pre-harvest, harvest and postharvest factors influencing the water loss in commercially important fresh fruit. The review acknowledges that postharvest water loss varies greatly among fresh produce given the multitude of factors discussed in this review. The environmental factors (temperature and humidity) have a strong influence on fruit water loss. The rate of water loss also differs among species and even among cultivars of the same species as this determines the fruit factors (the fruit surface-area-to-volume ratio, the surface structure of the fruit, including the number and size of stomata and lenticels, and the thickness and composition of the cuticle). Yet the large biological difference among fruit types makes it difficult to extrapolate such knowledge.
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