Changes in Anthocyanin and Fruit Quality Attributes of Barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) Grown in Different Altitude During Growth and Maturation

Abstract

Purpose: Seedless barberry is one of the economical sources of anthocyanin pigment. However, short harvesting period creates many difficulties in harvesting and drying processes, leading to low quality. Therefore, it was very important to study different barberry growing areas and also evaluating fruit quality in these regions, to propose sooner harvesting in some regions.Research Method: The study was conducted in two regions (Marack and Amirabad) of Birjand suburbs, South Khorasan, Iran, during two growing seasons (2014-2015), to investigate the major physicochemical changes of barberry fruit during different growth and development stages (89, 121, 152, 183 and 214 days after full bloom (DAFB)).Findings: The results showed that fruit fresh weight and volume, pH, total soluble solids (TSS), maturity index and anthocyanin significantly increased, as harvest season progressed. The region conditions also influenced the above-mentioned parameters. Data indicated that lower night temperatures in the Marack led to better fruit indices compared with Amirabad, which may be resulted from a higher altitude as compared to Amirabad. The better fruit maturity index and anthocyanin content obtained in Marack at the fourth harvest date (183 DAFB), compared with Amirabad, which creates a sooner harvest potential. With regard to data obtained and especially higher anthocyanin accumulation, we propose mountainous regions for seedless barberry cultivation, compared to lands as it leads to sooner harvesting and better quality of fruit for fresh market.Research Limitations: It was better to study the physicochemical changes of barberry fruits in more important regions and with different altitude.Originality/Value: This study provides an insight into mountains with high altitude as main regions for barberry cultivation to increase the nutritional quality of fruit.