(prickly pear cactus) is an important forage and food source in arid and semiarid ecosystems and is the most important cactus species in cultivation globally. The high degree of apomixis in the ...species is a hindrance in plant breeding programs where genetic segregation is sought for the selection of superior genotypes. To understand if
embryo rescue could increase the proportion of zygotic seedlings, we compared the mature seed-derived seedlings with those regenerated from
embryo rescue at 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 post-anthesis days (PADs) in four Italian cultivars. The seedlings were classified as apomictic or zygotic based on molecular marker analysis using inter-sequence single repeat (ISSR) primers. Multiple embryos were recovered from all the cultured immature ovules, and plantlets were regenerated and acclimatized to the field post hardening, with success rates ranging from 62% ('Senza spine') to 83% ('Gialla'). The level of polyembryony differed among cultivars and recovery dates, with the highest being 'Rossa', producing 4.8 embryos/ovule at 35 PADs, and 'Gialla', the lowest, with 2.7 at 40 PADs. The maximum number of embryos observed within a single ovule was 14 in 'Trunzara bianca'. ISSR analysis revealed that ovule culture at 35 PADs produced the highest percentage of zygotic seedlings in all the cultivars, from 51% ('Rossa') to 98% ('Gialla'), with a high genotype effect as well. Mature seeds produced much fewer seedlings per seed, ranging from 1.2 in 'Trunzara bianca' to 2.0 in 'Rossa' and a lower percentage of zygotic seedlings (from 14% in 'Rossa' to 63% in 'Gialla'). Our research opens a pathway to increase the availability of zygotic seedlings in
breeding programs through
embryo culture.
Studying mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit development represents one of the most important aspects for the precise orchard management under non-native environmental conditions. In this work, ...precision fruit gauges were used to investigate important eco-physiological aspects of fruit growth in two mango cultivars, Keitt (late ripening) and Tommy Atkins (early-mid ripening). Fruit absolute growth rate (AGR, mm day−1), daily diameter fluctuation (ΔD, mm), and a development index given by their ratio (AGR/ΔD) were monitored to identify the prevalent mechanism (cell division, cell expansion, ripening) involved in fruit development in three (‘Tommy Atkins’) or four (‘Keitt’) different periods during growth. In ‘Keitt’, cell division prevailed over cell expansion from 58 to 64 days after full bloom (DAFB), while the opposite occurred from 74 to 85 DAFB. Starting at 100 DAFB, internal changes prevailed over fruit growth, indicating the beginning of the ripening stage. In Tommy Atkins (an early ripening cultivar), no significant differences in AGR/ΔD was found among monitoring periods, indicating that both cell division and expansion coexisted at gradually decreasing rates until fruit harvest. To evaluate the effect of microclimate on fruit growth the relationship between vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and ΔD was also studied. In ‘Keitt’, VPD was the main driving force determining fruit diameter fluctuations. In ‘Tommy Atkins’, the lack of relationship between VPD and ΔD suggest a hydric isolation of the fruit due to the disruption of xylem and stomatal flows starting at 65 DAFB. Further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
The minimally processed fruit and vegetable industry showed rapid growth worldwide, primarily due to the increasing consumer need for ready-to-eat fresh products characterized by high nutritional, ...sensory and healthy value. The postharvest life of peeled cactus pear fruits is relatively short, due to the processing operations that affect fruit integrity and cause metabolic disfunctions, as well as pulp browning, microbial growth, loss of firmness, off-flavor development, and nutraceutical value loss. In this study, we investigated the effects of mucilage-based (OFI) and calcium ascorbate edible coating on minimally processed cactus pear summer-ripening fruit, cold stored under passive atmosphere. The effect of the edible coating on the postharvest life, quality attributes, and nutraceutical value of fruit was evaluated by colors, total soluble solids content, carbohydrates; titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, betalains, DPPH, visual quality, and sensorial analysis. Our data showed a significant effect of mucilage-based and calcium ascorbate-based coating on preserving quality, nutritional value, sensorial parameters, and improving postharvest life of minimally processed cactus pear fruits; OFI had the most effective barrier effect. Furthermore, both coating treatments did not negatively affect the natural taste of minimally processed cactus pear fruits, which is an important aspect regarding the use of edible coatings when taste modification is undesirable.
The qualitative characteristics of mango fruits change throughout their development process and are also influenced by their duration. Harvesting at different times after the fruit set affects ...external and internal quality and the post-harvest behavior and management possibilities of the fruits. The objective of this study was to assess the evolution of the most important physicochemical and organoleptic parameters of cv. Osteen fruits concern the length of their stay on the plant and also to their post-harvest management. For this reason, fruits were harvested progressively in ten pickings. The study showed that mango fruits that are kept on the tree reach the best quality traits, corresponding to their physiological maturation. The length of the storage period needed to reach the consumption point varies greatly according to the harvesting moment and to the different environmental parameters, which also affect the organoleptic and physicochemical quality of the fruits. The number of days after full flowering were confirmed to be the primary information to consider when planning harvest with commercial use of the fruit, but interesting indications can be acquired through the definition of non-destructive (hardness, color) or destructive (dry matter) parameters. The data collected help improve mango fruit′s post-harvest management practices, to provide a product with constant quality and homogeneity to the consumer.
In 2006 and 2009, trials were carried out in the Apulia region in Southern Italy to evalu-ate the possibility of mechanizing olive harvesting in groves of old and very large trees. The trees belonged ...to the cultivars ‘Cellina di Nardò’ and ‘Ogliarola Salentina’. They were 60-100 years old and 7-9 m tall with a canopy volume of 140-360 m3. In the first half of November 2006, with a mechanical beater mounted on a tractor plus hand-held pneumatic combs, the harvesting yield was close to 90% of the total olives present in the canopy, and the harvesting working productivity was around 60 kg of harvested olives h-1 worker-1. With a self-propelled shaker attached to the main branches the harvesting yield was about 73% in ‘Cellina di Nardò’, and 40% in ‘Ogliarola Salentina’, while the harvesting working productivities were around 103 and 85 kg of harvested olives h-1 worker-1, respectively. In the second half of No-vember 2009, in ‘Cellina di Nardò’, with a mechanical beater mounted on a tractor plus nets on the ground or a catching frame (reversed umbrella) mounted on another tractor, the harvesting yield was about 97%. The working productivity was about 98 kg of harvested olives h-1 worker-1 with the mechanical beater plus nets and around 133 kg of harvested olives h-1 worker-1 when the mechanical beater was combined with a reversed umbrella. The oil obtained from the mechanically harvested olives was always of high quality. A basic economic evaluation of the harvesting costs is also reported.
Fresh-cut peach is very perishable, being discoloration or browning the main factors affecting loss quality and consumer acceptability. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of chemical ...treatments on sensory peaches profile 'Pesca di Bivona' and 'Pesca di Leonforte' landraces, treated with 2 % ascorbic acid and 1 % calcium lactate (AA), or 1 % ascorbic acid and 1 % calcium lactate and 0.5 % citric acid (SOL) during 12 days of storage. 150 g of peach fruit slices were placed in rigid bi-oriented polystyrene bags and stored for 3, 5, 7 and 12 days at 5 ± 1 °C in passive atmosphere condition. For each sampling day color, sensorial analysis, respiration rate, firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid and total phenols were measured. Our results showed that the use of ascorbic acid in combination with calcium lactate gave the best results in terms of overall liking in both 'Pesca di Bivona' and 'Pesca di Leonforte' genotypic groups after 7 days of storage. However, 'Pesca di Bivona' and 'Pesca di Leonforte' landraces had a different behavior to antioxidant treatments with AA in terms of browning, acidity, vitamin C and total phenolic content maintaining a high smell, flavor and juice attributes.
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•Ascorbic acid with Calcium lactate maintained the highest postharvest quality for seven days.•Fresh-cut peaches treated with (AA) and (SOL) alleviated surface browning.•AA treatment gave the best results in terms of overall liking after 7 d of storage.•Fresh-cut peaches treated with (AA) and (SOL) maintained most of quality attributes.•'Pesca di Bivona' and Leonforte' landraces maintained a high smell, flavor and juice.
The study investigated the effect of soil volume restriction on the below- and above-ground growth of Opuntia ficus-indica through understanding the limit imposed by root confinement via different ...soil volumes on root and canopy architecture and growth. In 2014, one-year-old O. ficus-indica cladodes were planted in five different soil volumes (50, 33, 18, 9 and 5 L). The cladode and roots of each sampled plants were measured and weighed every six months; a starch content estimation was performed using the perchloric acid method. The restricted soil volume had limiting effects on overall plant growth and influenced plant development. The largest canopy surface area and dry mass were measured in 50 L potted plants. Root system growth was inhibited by soil volume restriction: the total root length, surface area, dry mass and volume decreased due to this restriction. During the whole period, the starch content in cladodes and in roots grown on a 5 L soil volume was twice as much as in the largest, 50 L soil volume. Our results confirmed the importance of O. ficus-indica as a potential plant that can survive under low soil volume conditions. This plant has the ability to balance its growth and stay alive under harsh environments.
Mango is a fruit with a very short shelf-life due to its rapid ripeness after harvest; it is high in B vitamins, contains some amounts of magnesium, calcium, zinc, and selenium and it is rich in ...soluble and insoluble fibers. In order to reach the European markets at proper marketable maturity, fruit from tropical countries are harvested at early maturity stage. Although this harvesting practice improves mango postharvest life, fruit reach the market with very low quality, especially in terms of taste. The present study was conducted to evaluate food quality, sensory attributes and nutraceutical value of “Osteen” fresh Mediterranean Italian mango fruit, and imported ones coming from tropical countries. Mango fruit imported from abroad were collected from 5 large-scale organized markets; fresh Italian mango fruit were harvested from a commercial orchard, at green- and mature-ripe stage. Imported and fresh Italian mango fruit were analyzed in terms of firmness, total soluble solids content, titratable acidity, flesh disorders, nutraceutical value, and sensory attributes. Mediterranean Italian mango fruit showed the best quality performances in terms of nutraceutical value and quality attributes. Sensorial analysis confirmed this behavior, these quality attributes, were perceived by the trained panel, that preferred fresh Mediterranean mango fruit.
Background
Persimmon fruits are cherished for their unique flavor and high nutrient content. In the present study, the effects of
Aloe vera
-based edible coatings (EC) added with 1% ascorbic acid, 1% ...citric acid and 5% calcium chloride in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and their impact on shelf-life quality of fresh-cut persimmon fruit, were investigated. The experimental design consisted of four treatments 1)
Aloe vera
edible coating + modified atmosphere packaging (EC + MAP), 2) untreated fruit packaged with MAP (CTR + MAP); 3)
Aloe vera
-based edible coating in passive atmosphere (EC PASSIVE); 4) untreated fruit in passive atmosphere (CTR PASSIVE). Persimmon fruit were stored at 5 °C for 3, 6 and 9 days. At each storage time, firmness, weight loss, sugar content, organic acids, polyphenol oxidase (PPO), browning index respiration rate, sensory and microbiological analysis, were investigated.
Results
Our results were confirmed also by the sensory analysis in which both EC-treated fruit scored the highest values for positive descriptors.EC + MAP treatment showed the most effective result in maintaining total carotenoids, ascorbic acid, glucose and CO
2
inside packaging reducing the PPO activity and the flesh browning of persimmon slices. EC + MAP treatment controlled the growth of total mesophilic microorganisms, pseudomonads,
Enterobacteriaceae
, yeasts and molds
.
Conclusions
The obtained results confirmed the importance of coating composition in controlling post-harvest decay and maintaining fruit quality.
Pescabivona is a highly appreciated fruit by consumers for its sweet flavour and juicy flesh; however, it has a short shelf life and is susceptible to postharvest damage, such as mechanical injury, ...loss of texture and alteration of organoleptic properties. Therefore, it's necessary to develop new methods of processing and conservation for this fruit. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of tray-drying in white peach slices and cubes at 70 ℃ for 12 hours in order to extend their shelf-life and increase its commercial availability over a long period and to obtain a new food product. The physicochemical and sensory properties of dried fruits were assessed during 30 days of storage in polyamide/polyethene (PA/PE) bags containing two gas mixtures (treatments): MAP-N 2 (100% N 2 ) and MAP-P (78% N 2 , 21% O 2 and 0.04% CO 2 ), at room temperature (20 ± 1 ℃). Both MAP treatments kept the fruit firmness, with MAP-P slightly more effective. Slicing produced fruit with a good appearance and firmness, while cubing produced sweet fruit with a caramel flavour and a chewier firmness. In addition, packing with MAP-N 2 reduced the phenomenon of fruit browning. Overall, this study provides significant information on the drying process (time-temperature treatments) and packaging techniques (MAP) of white-fleshed peach to obtain a novel food product.
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