Morphological characterization of Lanzones (Lansium domesticum) accessions at the fruit crops nursery, University of the Philippines Los Baños.

Variation among 91 stone oak species (Fagaceae, Lithocarpus) in fruit and vegetative morphology in relation to climatic factors

`Page' mandarin is a complex hybrid between `Minneola' tangelo and `Clementine' mandarin. Because of self-incompatibility, this cultivar severely needs pollinizers and, if a suitable pollinizer does not exist, it will produce few and small fruit. In this study, the effects of pollen grains of nine cultivars of citrus ['Sour' orange, `Duncan' grapefruit, `Sweet' lemon, `Salustiana' orange, `Local' mandarin, `Hamlin' orange, `Siavaraz III Locan' orange, `Marrs' orange, and `Shell' mahaleh (natural hybrid)] on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of fruit (weight, diameter, length, volume, peel thickness, juice content, developed seeds, undeveloped seeds, total soluble solids, acidity, pH, vitamin C, and percentage of final fruit set) were investigated and evaluated. After artificial pollination and during fruit growth and development, seven times abscission and fruit color and diameter were recorded. Fruit were harvested 29 weeks after pollination and were analyzed. The results showed that this cultivar, in addition to the complete self-incompatibility, has the ability of week parthenocarpy, which results in small and low-quality fruit and also parthenocarpy is induced. `Page' mandarin is cross-compatible with some cultivars, such as `Marrs' orange. There is a positive and significant correlation between developed seed number and fruit weight. The pollen of `Siavaraz III Local' orange has the most effects on percentage of final fruit set. The pollen of `Shell' mahaleh (natural hybrid) has the most effect of the quantitative characteristics, and the pollen of `Marrs' orange has the most effects on qualitative characteristics. It was concluded that `Hamlin' orange is the best pollinizer for `Page' mandarin in northern Iran. The results of this study were analyzed with the use of a randomized complete-block design.

Imported Valencia oranges were evaluated to determine the relationship between the fruit size and its quality. The orange size was classified into three groups on a commercial basis: small (140~160 g/113±5 fruit/box), medium (190~220 g/88±5 fruit/box), and large (250~280 g/72±5 fruit/box). The physicochemical and sensory properties were analyzed to evaluate the orange quality. No significant difference in the peel thickness and flesh ratio was detected across the fruit sizes. The juice yield of the medium-sized orange and the TSS/TA ratios of the medium-sized and large oranges showed the highest value, respectively (p<0.05). The large orange had the highest vitamin C content, which was positively correlated with both its DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging abilities (p<0.05). In the sensory evaluation of the fruits and their juice, the scores for sourness and overall preference were significantly higher in the medium-sized and large oranges than in the small ones. The total soluble solids, total acidity, TSS/TA ratio, and reducing sugar content were significantly related to the sensory properties. Finally, the quality and sensory properties were considered superior in the medium-sized and lager Valencia oranges. Further studies on the effects of the variety and origin of Valencia oranges on their quality and sensory properties are required.

The aim of this research is to assess the genetic potential of plum cultivars in an ex situ collection at the National Institute for Agronomic Research in Meknes, Morocco, under the conditions of the Saïss plain. This is an essential preliminary stage in the study of varietal adaptation to climate change. Twenty-eight cultivars will be analyzed, using agro-morphological, physiological, and pomological descriptors. This characterization was based on measuring the genetic diversity of all the cultivars, production traits (yield, average weight, and fruit size), vegetative traits (leaf area, number of leaves per fruit, and shoot leaf load), physiological traits (stomatal traits, leaf proline content, cuticular wax, chlorophyll a and b) and the measurement of certain chemical and biochemical quality components of the fruit. The study of plum cultivars revealed significant variability in agronomic, vegetative, physiological, and pomological traits. Analysis using the Unweighted Pair Group Method enabled us to classify them into two main groups for all the characteristics assessed. This study will identify the cultivars best adapted to Moroccan conditions, thus meeting scientific, agronomic, and environmental objectives. Furthermore, the results of this research will have a significant impact on the management of the plum collection, ensuring not only the preservation of genetic diversity and the sustainability of the species, but also contributing to the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. This will help optimize resource use, reduce environmental impact, and enhance crop resilience to climate change while supporting breeding programs.

Fruits, frugivores and the evolutionary arms race.

The Cucurbitaceae family comprises many agronomically important members, that bear nutritious fruits and vegetables of great economic importance. Coccinia grandis, commonly known as Ivy gourd, belongs to this family and is widely consumed as a vegetable. Members of this family are known to display an impressive range of variation in fruit morphology. Although there have been studies on flower development in Ivy gourd, fruit development remains unexplored in this crop. In this study, comparative transcriptomics of two Ivy gourd cultivars namely "Arka Neelachal Kunkhi" (larger fruit size) and "Arka Neelachal Sabuja" (smaller fruit size) differing in their average fruit size was performed. A de novo transcriptome assembly for Ivy gourd was developed by collecting fruits at different stages of development (5, 10, 15, and 20 days after anthesis i.e. DAA) from these two varieties. The transcriptome was analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes, transcription factors, and molecular markers. The transcriptome of Ivy gourd consisted of 155205 unigenes having an average contig size of 1472bp. Unigenes were annotated on publicly available databases to categorize them into different biological functions. Out of these, 7635 unigenes were classified into 38 transcription factor (TF) families, of which Trihelix TFs were most abundant. A total of 11,165 unigenes were found to be differentially expressed in both the varieties and the in silico expression results were validated through real-time PCR. Also, 98768 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were identified in the transcriptome of Ivy gourd. This study has identified a number of genes, including transcription factors, that could play a crucial role in the determination of fruit shape and size in Ivy gourd. The presence of polymorphic SSRs indicated a possibility for marker-assisted selection for crop breeding in Ivy gourd. The information obtained can help select candidate genes that may be implicated in regulating fruit development and size in other fruit crops.

Citrus, especially Kinnow, fruit yield and quality in Pakistan is not competitive with other countries, which could be mainly attributed to a lack of good nutrient management for citrus orchards. Many of the soils under these orchards have been reported as deficient in potassium (K). Therefore, work was initiated for improving citrus fruit yield, size, and quality through K nutrition management. Experiments were conducted in four districts of Punjab including Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, and Sargodha and four rates of potash, i.e., 0, 50, 75 and 100 kg dipotassium oxide (K2O) ha−1 were applied using sulfate of potash (SOP) along with recommended rates of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N). Soils of all the selected sites were clay loam or sandy clay loam and deficient in K. The leaf analysis also showed that all the selected orchards were deficient in K. Application of K increased the fruit yield and quality but K at100 kg K2O ha−1 was more effective in increasing the fruit weight and size, and peel thickness than other K rates in all the selected orchards. Juice volume and percentage significantly increased when K was applied at 75 kg K2O ha−1 at all sites. Nutrient uptake like K, P, and N enhanced with the increase in K application rate, however, the highest calcium (Ca)+ magnesium (Mg) was recorded at 50 kg K2O ha−1. The results indicated that all rates of K application improved the fruit yield and quality and reduced fruit dropping, however, 75 kg K2O ha−1 rate was more effective as juice volume and percentage, total soluble solid (TSS)/acid ratio and nutrient uptake showed significant improvement.

Sapota fruits are highly perishable due to their climacteric nature. The rapid softening of fruits is primarily due to high activity of many oxidative enzymes and liberation of ethylene. Harvest maturity plays a crucial role in deciding the marketability of climacteric fruits in general. We investigate sugar contents on sapodilla fruits related on fruits size and seed number. The experiment was conducted using 100 sapodilla fruits harvested from farmer in Madura. Fruit size and weight were recorded. Each fruit was separated into fruit and seed, and then weight was recorded with an analytical balance. The number and weight of seeds were counted. Total soluble solid (TSS; °Brix) was measured using arefractometer (PAL-1, Atago, Tokyo Tech). The number of seed and seed weight of sapodilla have correlation with Total Soluble Solid (TSS). The higher amount of seed equal with increasing seed weight, and effect to decrease TSS in sapodilla fruits. In additional, increasing seed weight have correlation with fruit weight, while TSS was decrease slightly. The average diameter and length of sapodilla fruit were 4.01 and 5.53 cm, respectively. Keywords: fruit size, Sapodilla, TSS content, seed number.

This investigation was conducted during 2015 season on the local sour orange trees, <i>Citrus aurantium</i> L., grown in clay soil, under date palm trees and surface irrigation system of a private orchard located about 16 km to the north of Najaf city, Iraq. Twelve years old sour orange trees were sprayed twice, on 1^st October and 1^st November 2015, with two types of algae extracts, Fucox and Ecklonia, at 0, 1, 2, 3% of each to study their separate influences on some physical and chemical characteristics of fruit. Results showed that spraying trees twice, after fruit-set were effective in enhancing fruit length, fruit width, fruit size, fruit fresh weight, peel thickness , the percentages of, fruit moisture, fruit juice, fruit peel, peel moisture, ascorbic acid (C vitamin) and total soluble solid (T.S.S.). Moreover, they reduced each of the acidity and carotene content. Treatments had a significant effects in comparison with the control, especially with Fucox at 3% which gave the best results for the study.<div><br></div>

Grapefruit ( Citrus paradisi Macf.) were sampled biweekly from importers in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, from Oct. 1992 through Sept. 1993. For each sample, fruit size, weight, peel thickness, internal pulp color, juice weight, total soluble solids (TSS), and total acid (TA) were measured. Three grapefruit cultivars—`Marsh' white, `Ruby Red', and `Star Ruby'—were sampled from 12 countries of origin. Florida fruit weighed more, had the thinnest peel, the most juice, the lowest TA, and the highest TSS/TA ratio for all three cultivars compared to all other origins, except for `Ruby Red' grapefruit from California, which had a lower TA and a higher TSS/TA ratio. Turkish `Ruby Red' and Spanish `Star Ruby' fruit weighed the least and had the least amount of juice compared to fruit from other origins. Turkish fruit had the highest TA and the lowest TSS/TA ratio for all three cultivars from all origins. Israeli `Marsh' white and `Star Ruby' had the highest TSS. Overall, the internal quality characteristics of Florida fruit was high compared to fruit from other origins.

Size 56 grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) were sampled biweekly from importers Rotterdam, the Netherlands from October 1992 through September 1993. For each sample, fruit size, weight, diameter, peel thickness, internal color, juice volume, total soluble solids (TSS), and total acid (TA) were measured for three cultivars `Marsh White', `Ruby Red' and `Star Ruby' from 12 countries of origin. Florida fruit followed by Cuban fruit weighed more, had the thinnest peel, the most juice, the lowest TA, and the highest TSS/TA ratio for all three cultivars compared to most other origins. Spanish `Ruby Red' and `Star Ruby' fruit weighed the least and had the least amount of juice compared to other origins. Turkish fruit had the highest TA and the lowest TSS/TA ratio for all three cultivars. Israelian `Marsh White' and `Star Ruby' had the highest TSS.

Citrus gummosis, caused by Phytophthora spp., is one of the economically critical fungal diseases prevailing in the major citrus-growing areas of the country. The fungus induces alterations in morphological and physiological parameters (leaf area, fruit weight, fruit volume, fruit length, fruit diameter, peel thickness, peel weight, rag weight, and juice weight). Therefore, the study was conducted to analyze the physical and biochemical parameters of citrus plants of various Citrus reticulata infected with phytophthora gummosis. Citrus leaves and fruits were collected to determine different morphological, physical, and biochemical parameters to compare the diseased and healthy citrus samples. There was a significant difference (P 0.05) in physical parameters between infected and healthy citrus samples. The fruit size was significantly lower within the range of 29.1-35.4 cm2 in the diseased plants as compared to healthy ones (37.3-43.6 cm2). The fruit volume of infected samples, with a maximum difference of 37.1 cm3, was also recorded in infected and healthy samples. The infected citrus samples had lower fruit weights of 111.3–145.2 g than the healthy samples (147.8–175.9 g). The leaf area was significantly less for diseased plants (11.8–20.0 cm2) compared to 17.1-29.5 cm2 for healthy samples. Other physical parameters were also altered, but not significantly. Similarly, biochemical parameters such as TSS to Acid ratio 77.9–86.8, Total Soluble Solids 11.3–11.6%, Vitamin C 55.4–77.9 mg/100 mL, total phenolic contents 288.8–341.9, total flavonoids 210.1–240.2, antioxidant activity 655.7–749.5, and pH 3.13–3.32 were found to be significantly lowered at P 0.05 in diseased citrus samples as compared to those in healthy citrus samples with the mean values of 101.3–109.5, 12.2–12.4%, 91.5–123.5 mg/100 mL, 3636.1-421.2, 249.7–285.6, 749.6–867.7, and 3.52–3.81, respectively. The findings of the research revealed the devastating impact of Phytophthora spp. on C. reticulata, resulting in low yield and fruit quality.

‘Valencia’ orange scions on sour orange rootstock, planted in 1935 at Tempe, Arizona, in calcareous sandy loam, were grown from 1949 through 1968 under 4 irrigation programs: high—15 irrigations a year, 1.72 m water applied; moderate—10 irrigations a year, 1.35 m water applied; low—5 irrigations a year, 0.95 m water applied; high-low—high, March to July, and low, August to February, 9 irrigations a year, 1.18 m water applied. Yields were similar in high, moderate and high-low trees; reduced in low trees. Trunk growth was proportionately reduced as less water was applied. High soil water produced larger tree canopies than moderate, low and high-low, which were similar. Summer shoot growth was stimulated in high trees, limited by fruiting and soil water deficits in moderate and high-low regimes, and promoted by reduced yields in low trees. Low soil water reduced total feeder roots and increased the proportion below 60 cm. Fruit sizes were similar in high and moderate, markedly reduced in high-low and variable in low schedules. Total soluble solids in fruit increased as less water was applied after mid-July. Peel thickness was similar in high and moderate and thinner than in low and high-low. High yields from the high-low regime show there is no advantage in maintaining high soil water during the entire year. Moderate stresses after July induced highest soluble solids in fruit, maintained smaller trees which facilitated picking, and prevented iron chlorosis.

The effects of rootstocks on performances of three late-ripening navel orange varieties

To explore the quality rootstocks which impart better quality fruits in mango varieties, we studied the interactive effect of the scion and rootstock using five mango varieties (Mallika, Amrapali, Dashehari, Pusa Arunima, and Pusa Surya) grafted on three rootstocks (Olour, Kurukkan, and K-5). A total of 25 physico-chemical parameters were studied in the five grafted varieties viz., fruit weight, yield efficiency, fruit per plant, pulp percent, total soluble solids (TSS), acidity, physiological loss in weight (PLW), peel thickness, respiration rate, etc., and were found to be altered through scion–rootstock interaction. Among the five mango varieties, Olour rootstock proved best to improve the fruit quality and shelf life using the grafting approach. Physico-chemical-traits-based clustering was unable to precisely group scion varieties according to their grafting rootstock. A total of 35 shelf-life specific markers were designed from ripening genes, such as expansin, polygalactouranase, ethylene insensitive, ethylene sensitive, etc. Of these specific primers, 24 showed polymorphism among the studied genotypes. The gene diversity (GD), allele per locus (An), polymorphism information content (PIC), and major allele frequency (MAF) observed were 0.43, 2.00, 0.34, and 0.63, respectively. Cluster analysis clearly showed that scion grafted on Kurukkan and Olour rootstock, and scion varieties grafted on K-5 rootstock grouped together have more similarity. A total of eight simple sequence repeats loci (SSRs) markers were associated with eight physiological traits. Strong association of SSR loci NMSLC-12 and NMSLC-14 with yield efficiency and fruit weight were observed with a phenotypic variance of 85% and 70%, respectively.