Fragaria Vesca Research Articles

An arginine-to-histidine mutation in flavanone-3-hydroxylase results in pink strawberry fruits.

Fruit color is a very important external commodity factor for consumers. Compared to the most typical red octoploid strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa), the pink strawberry often sells for a more expensive price and has a higher economic benefit due to its outstanding color. However, few studies have examined the molecular basis of pink-colored strawberry fruit. Through an EMS mutagenesis of woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca), we identified a mutant with pink fruits and green petioles. Bulked-segregant analysis sequencing analysis and gene function verification confirmed that the responsible mutation resides in a gene encoding flavanone-3-hydroxylase (F3H) in the anthocyanin synthesis pathway. This nonsynonymous mutation results in an arginine-to-histidine change at position 130 of F3H. Molecular docking experiments showed that the arginine-to-histidine mutation results in a reduction of intermolecular force-hydrogen bonding between the F3H protein and its substrates. Enzymatic experiments showed a greatly reduced ability of the mutated F3H protein to catalyze the conversion of the substrates and hence a blockage of the anthocyanin synthesis pathway. The discovery of a key residue in the F3H gene controlling anthocyanin synthesis provides a clear target of modification for the molecular breeding of strawberry varieties with pink-colored fruits, which may be of great commercial value.

Determination of volatile profiles of woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) during fruit maturation by HS-SPME GC-MS.

Aroma is an important agronomic trait for strawberries, and the improvement of fruit flavor is a key goal in current strawberry breeding programs. Fragaria vesca (also known as woodland strawberry) has become an excellent model plant with exquisite flavor, a small genome size, and a short life cycle. Thus, the comprehensive identification of fruit volatiles and their accumulation pattern of F. vesca strawberries are very important and necessary to the fruit aroma study. This study examined the volatile profile changes from the fruits of three F. vesca genotypes during maturation using the headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME GC-MS) with multivariate analysis. A total of 191 putative volatile compounds were identified, while 152, 159, and 175 volatiles were detected in 20-30 dap fruits of Hawaii 4 (HW), Reugen (RG), and Yellow Wonder (YW), respectively. Aldehydes and alcohols predominated in the early time point while esters were predominant during the late time point. Ketones were the dominant compounds from F. vesca strawberries fruits at the ripe stage. Certain genotype-characteristic volatiles were identified, including eugenol, γ-octalactone, and δ-decalactone were only detected in YW, and mesifurane was found in HW. RG and YW showed very similar volatile compositions, but YW presented a greater number of volatiles and RG yielded a higher content. Differences in the volatile composition may be primarily due to genetic relationships. The metabolic changes that occurred during fruit ripening and characteristic volatiles will be a useful reference for future strawberry volatile studies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The Alfin-like transcription factors: Identification, characterization, and expression analysis in Pyrus bretschenedri provide insight into its divergent functions on abiotic response

In the previous decades, numerous investigations have been done that the Alfin-like (AL) transcription factors (TFs) are participating in several physiological and development processes in plants including root hair elongation, development of root and meristem, etc. Although the AL-TFs had been comprehensively evaluated in several species, the little finding is reported on the AL-TFs in Chinese pear (Pyrus bretschenedri). In the current study, 15 PbAL genes were systemically characterized and nomenclature as PbAL1 to PbAL15 corresponding to their chromosomal localization. Phylogeny analysis and structural features revealed that the 15 genes could be classified into six subfamilies (S-I to S-VI).Whole-genome duplication (WGD) events are the most common mechanism and may play a crucial role in the expansion of the AL gene family. Microsynteny analysis among Pyrus bretschenedri, Fragaria vesca, Prunus avium, Prunus mume, and Prunus persica showed that AL duplicated regions were more conserved and undergo purifying selection during the evolutionary process. Further analysis of introns-exons, physicochemical properties, and conserved motif showed their functional divergence, diversification in quantity, and structure. The expression pattern of PbAL gene family in various organs and different fruit development stages were conducted through transcriptomic data. Moreover, stress-related cis-acting elements of PbAL genes were found on the promoters regions to be associated with hormonal and environmental stress responses. Noticeably, the expression patterns evaluated by qRT-PCR demonstrated that PbAL genes were differentially expressed under indole acetic acid (IAA), Gibberellic acid (GA), Melatonin (ME) and abscisic acid (ABA) treatment, which response to abiotic stress and fruit growth development. Current work explored the potential function and evolution of PbAL genes in Pyrus bretschenedri. PbAL were investigated as candidate genes for further research and important clues for improving fruit quality through molecular breeding.

Major transcriptomic differences are induced by warmer temperature conditions experienced during asexual and sexual reproduction in Fragaria vesca ecotypes.

A major challenge for plants in a rapidly changing climate is to adapt to rising temperatures. Some plants adapt to temperature conditions by generating an epigenetic memory that can be transmitted both meiotically and mitotically. Such epigenetic memories may increase phenotypic variation to global warming and provide time for adaptation to occur through classical genetic selection. The goal of this study was to understand how warmer temperature conditions experienced during sexual and asexual reproduction affect the transcriptomes of different strawberry (Fragaria vesca) ecotypes. We let four European F. vesca ecotypes reproduce at two contrasting temperatures (18 and 28°C), either asexually through stolon formation for several generations, or sexually by seeds (achenes). We then analyzed the transcriptome of unfolding leaves, with emphasis on differential expression of genes belonging to the epigenetic machinery. For asexually reproduced plants we found a general transcriptomic response to temperature conditions but for sexually reproduced plants we found less significant responses. We predicted several splicing isoforms for important genes (e.g. a SOC1, LHY, and SVP homolog), and found significantly more differentially presented splicing event variants following asexual vs. sexual reproduction. This difference could be due to the stochastic character of recombination during meiosis or to differential creation or erasure of epigenetic marks during embryogenesis and seed development. Strikingly, very few differentially expressed genes were shared between ecotypes, perhaps because ecotypes differ greatly both genetically and epigenetically. Genes related to the epigenetic machinery were predominantly upregulated at 28°C during asexual reproduction but downregulated after sexual reproduction, indicating that temperature-induced change affects the epigenetic machinery differently during the two types of reproduction.

Comparison of red raspberry and wild strawberry fruits reveals mechanisms of fruit type specification.

Belonging to Rosaceae, red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca) are closely related species with distinct fruit types. While the numerous ovaries become the juicy drupelet fruits in raspberry, their strawberry counterparts become dry and tasteless achenes. In contrast, while the strawberry receptacle, the stem tip, enlarges to become a red fruit, the raspberry receptacle shrinks and dries. The distinct fruit-forming ability of homologous organs in these two species allows us to investigate fruit type determination. We assembled and annotated the genome of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and characterized its fruit development morphologically and physiologically. Subsequently, transcriptomes of dissected and staged raspberry fruit tissues were compared to those of strawberry from a prior study. Class B MADS box gene expression was negatively associated with fruit-forming ability, which suggested a conserved inhibitory role of class B heterodimers, PISTILLATA/TM6 or PISTILLATA/APETALA3, for fruit formation. Additionally, the inability of strawberry ovaries to develop into fruit flesh was associated with highly expressed lignification genes and extensive lignification of the ovary pericarp. Finally, co-expressed gene clusters preferentially expressed in the dry strawberry achenes were enriched in "cell wall biosynthesis" and "ABA signaling", while co-expressed clusters preferentially expressed in the fleshy raspberry drupelets were enriched in "protein translation". Our work provides extensive genomic resources as well as several potential mechanisms underlying fruit type specification. These findings provide the framework for understanding the evolution of different fruit types, a defining feature of angiosperms.

Brassinosteroid catabolic enzyme CYP734A129 regulates the morphologies of leaves and floral organs in woodland strawberry

Brassinosteroids (BRs) play critical roles in plant growth and development and regulate many important agronomic traits. However, the functions of BRs in strawberry are unclear. This study identified two mutants, named P6 and R87, in woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) from EMS mutagenesis populations that exhibit narrow leaves, petals and sepals. Mapping by sequencing and genetic studies revealed that the F. vesca CYP734A129, encoding a putative BR catabolic enzyme, is the causative gene for both P6 and R87. Overexpression of CYP734A129 in both F. vesca and Arabidopsis causes a severe dwarf phenotype, and the BRI1-EMS-SUPPRESSOR 1 (BES1) protein is less abundant in the CYP734A129-overexpressing Arabidopsis seedlings. This suggests that CYP734A129 is functionally conserved with CYP734A1, as a BR-inactivating enzyme. Transcriptome analysis of young leaves revealed that four BR biosynthetic genes were significantly downregulated in P6 (cyp734a129), and photosynthesis-related genes were highly enriched among the up-regulated genes in P6 compared to the wild type. This further supports that CYP734A129 inactivates BRs in F. vesca. Furthermore, we showed that mutations in CYP734A129 do not affect fruit shape and color during ripening in strawberry. Overall, our results suggest that F. vesca CYP734A129 is a BR catabolic enzyme, and provide insights into the roles of CYP734A129 in strawberry.

Methylome, transcriptome, and phenotype changes induced by temperature conditions experienced during sexual reproduction in Fragaria vesca.

Temperature conditions experienced during embryogenesis and seed development may induce epigenetic changes that increase phenotypic variation in plants. Here we investigate if embryogenesis and seed development at two different temperatures (28 vs. 18°C) result in lasting phenotypic effects and DNA methylation changes in woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca). Using five European ecotypes from Spain (ES12), Iceland (ICE2), Italy (IT4), and Norway (NOR2 and NOR29), we found statistically significant differences between plants from seeds produced at 18 or 28°C in three of four phenotypic features investigated under common garden conditions. This indicates the establishment of a temperature-induced epigenetic memory-like response during embryogenesis and seed development. The memory effect was significant in two ecotypes: in NOR2 flowering time, number of growth points and petiole length were affected, and in ES12 number of growth points was affected. This indicates that genetic differences between ecotypes in their epigenetic machinery, or other allelic differences, impact this type of plasticity. We observed statistically significant differences between ecotypes in DNA methylation marks in repetitive elements, pseudogenes, and genic elements. Leaf transcriptomes were also affected by embryonic temperature in an ecotype-specific manner. Although we observed significant and lasting phenotypic change in at least some ecotypes, there was considerable variation in DNA methylation between individual plants within each temperature treatment. This within-treatment variability in DNA methylation marks in F. vesca progeny may partly be a result of allelic redistribution from recombination during meiosis and subsequent epigenetic reprogramming during embryogenesis.

Response of Fragaria vesca to projected change in temperature, water availability and concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere

The high rate of climate change may soon expose plants to conditions beyond their adaptation limits. Clonal plants might be particularly affected due to limited genotypic diversity of their populations, potentially decreasing their adaptability. We therefore tested the ability of a widely distributed predominantly clonally reproducing herb (Fragaria vesca) to cope with periods of drought and flooding in climatic conditions predicted to occur at the end of the twenty-first century, i.e. on average 4 °C warmer and with twice the concentration of CO2 in the air (800 ppm) than the current state. We found that F. vesca can phenotypically adjust to future climatic conditions, although its drought resistance may be reduced. Increased temperature and CO2 levels in the air had a far greater effect on growth, phenology, reproduction, and gene expression than the temperature increase itself, and promoted resistance of F. vesca to repeated flooding periods. Higher temperature promoted clonal over sexual reproduction, and increased temperature and CO2 concentration in the air triggered change in expression of genes controlling the level of self-pollination. We conclude that F. vesca can acclimatise to predicted climate change, but the increased ratio of clonal to sexual reproduction and the alteration of genes involved in the self-(in)compatibility system may be associated with reduced genotypic diversity of its populations, which may negatively impact its ability to genetically adapt to novel climate in the long-term.

Formulation and Physical Stability of Temulawak (Curcuma xanthorhiza Roxb.) Antiaging Lotion with Natural Colorant from Strawberry Extract (Fragaria vesca L)

Skin protection is needed to reduce the unwanted effects of free radicals, such as antiaging lotions. Temulawak (Curcuma xanthorhiza Roxb.) contains curcumin which has antioxidant activity with the potential to antiaging. Strawberries (Fragaria vesca L) contain anthocyanins known used as natural dyes. This study aims to determine the antioxidant activity of temulawak extract then formulated as a lotion with the addition of natural colorant from strawberries and tested for physical stability. Curcuma extraction was carried out by maceration using 70% ethanol solvent to obtain a thick extract, infundation method was used to extract a strawberry. Determination of the antioxidant activity of temulawak extract using the DPPH method is expressed by the IC50 value. The antioxidant activity of temulawak extract is included in the moderate category with an IC50 value of 144.126 ppm. Evaluation of physical quality characteristics of temulawak lotion with natural colorant strawberry included organoleptic observations, spreadability, adhesion, pH test, viscosity, emulsion stability as well as stability to temperature and humidity. The results of the study after temperature and humidity treatment showed that the temulawak lotion was in the form of semi-solid, pink in color, the spreadability values were, respectively in centimeter 7.95 ; 7.35 ; 6.8 ; 7.05 ; 5.45 ; 5.85 ; 5.25 ; and 5.5 , the adhesive values are respectively in second 0.52 ; 0.56 ; 0.46 ; 0.51 ; 0.52 ; 0.50 ; 0.82 ; and 0.48, the pH value are 7; 6; 7; 7; 7; 7; 7; and 7, the viscosity values are in Pa.S 0.017; 0.031; 0.113; 0.055; 0.352; 0.263; 0.18; and 0.324. The conclusion of this study shows best formulation stability was formulas E, F, and H.

Auxin biosynthesis gene FveYUC4 is critical for leaf and flower morphogenesis in woodland strawberry.

Auxin plays an essential role in plant growth and development, particularly in fruit development. The YUCCA (YUC) genes encode flavin monooxygenases that catalyze a rate-limiting step in auxin biosynthesis. Mutations that disrupt YUC gene function provide useful tools for dissecting general and specific functions of auxin during plant development. In woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca), two ethyl methanesulfonate mutants, Y422 and Y1011, have been identified that exhibit severe defects in leaves and flowers. In particular, the width of the leaf blade is greatly reduced, and each leaflet in the mutants has fewer and deeper serrations. In addition, the number and shape of the floral organs are altered, resulting in smaller fruits. Mapping by sequencing revealed that both mutations reside in the FveYUC4 gene, and were therefore renamed as yuc4-1 and yuc4-2. Consistent with a role for FveYUC4 in auxin synthesis, free auxin and its metabolites are significantly reduced in the yuc4 leaves and flowers. This role of FveYUC4 in leaf and flower development is supported by its high and specific expression in young leaves and flower buds using GUS reporters. Furthermore, germline transformation of pYUC4::YUC4, which resulted in elevated expression of FveYUC4 in yuc4 mutants, not only rescued the leaf and flower defects but also produced parthenocarpic fruits. Taken together, our data demonstrate that FveYUC4 is essential for leaf and flower morphogenesis in woodland strawberry by providing auxin hormone at the proper time and in the right tissues.

Effects of cadmium and glufosinate ammonium contaminated water on wild strawberry plants

Fragaria vesca L. (cv. Annabelle) plants were cultivated in hydroponic system and treated for 28 days with control (Hoagland solution), 1 mg L−1 of Cd, 10 µg L−1 of glufosinate ammonium and the mix of glufosinate ammonium and Cd. Cd and glufosinate influenced the photosynthetic parameters starting from day 18. Cd influenced the fruit fresh weight after 28 days of exposure. The accumulation of Cd in roots was highest among all plant organs and was estimated being 200 µg g−1DW followed by leaves at < 15 µg g−1DW and reaching the lowest concentrations in fruits at < 3 µg g−1DW. Only the metabolite 3-(hydroxymethylphosphinyl) propionic acid (MPP) of glufosinate was detected over the detection limit in each organ analysed. Glufosinate exposure reduced Ca uptake (− 35% compared to control) in fruits while Cd reduced the uptake of Fe and Ca in leaves and Zn, Mn and Ca in fruits. Thus, residual Cd and glufosinate ammonium, that could be present in wastewater used for irrigation, may affect wild strawberry physiology. The data indicates that at the concentrations mentioned above, the consumers have a low risk of Cd exposure but can be exposed to glufosinate metabolite MPP through consumption of fruits that are grown in contaminated wastewater.

Latitudinal origins of Fragaria vesca show adaptive variation in phenological, morphological and ecophysiological leaf traits associated with winter climate

Ongoing climate change is affecting vascular plants, but it is uncertain how plant species will react to the environmental changes, and therefore detailed understanding of adaptive phenotypic variation is needed. Woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) has a large geographical range, thus having great phenotypic variation and ability to adapt to different climates. One adaptive trait that allows F. vesca to continue photosynthesis through an extended growing season is the production of two morphologically distinct sets of leaves – summer leaves, produced in the spring and summer, and winter leaves produced in the autumn. However, to date it was unknown whether F. vesca genotypes from warmer European countries produce winter leaves, and whether they could survive cold winter conditions. To test for local adaptation in F. vesca, we studied variation in phenology, morphology and ecophysiology among ten European F. vesca genotypes from populations extending over the natural latitudinal range of the species. All genotypes survived a harsh winter in a common garden in southern Finland and produced winter leaves. These leaves acclimated well to the winter climate, as the maximum capacity of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) remained high from late autumn to spring despite low temperatures. We found a latitudinal pattern in phenology with the northern European genotypes producing their first winter leaves earlier than the genotypes of southern European origin. This indicates that winter leaf phenology and climate acclimation are under genetic control and express local adaptation. In contrast, cessation of stolon production in the autumn did not show a latitudinal cline. Our finding that local adaptation causes clear differences among populations in functional traits in F. vesca provides a foundation for future studies to explore underlying genetic variation and molecular processes affecting these traits that might improve the resilience of plant populations in a changing climate.

Expression Analysis of Trihelix Transcription Factor Family in Strawberries and Functional Characterization of FvTrihelix6

The Trihelix is a plant-specific transcription factor family and has critical roles in plant growth and development and stress resistance. There is less information about Trihelix transcription factor genes and their potential functions in strawberries (Fragaria vesca). In the present study, we performed a detailed bioinformatics analysis of the Trihelix family in strawberries including physicochemical properties, chromosomal location, exon–intron distribution, domain arrangement, and subcellular localization. Thirty Trihelix family members were identified and divided into five subfamilies. The expression of FvTrihelix genes in different tissues/organs, i.e., root, stolon, leaf, flower, and fruit, was measured in strawberries after infection with Colletotrichum. gloeosporioides and foliar applications of salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA). Most of the genes showed differential expression responses following C. gloeosporioides infection and hormone treatments (SA and JA), suggesting critical roles in disease resistance and hormonal signaling pathways. As anticipated, the ectopic expression of FvTrihelix6 in Arabidopsis thaliana increased resistance against Colletotrichum. higginsianum infection. FvTrihelix6 protein was localized in the nucleus. We surmise that FvTrihelix6 enhances resistance against pathogens through the SA and JA signaling pathways. This study provides novel insights into the strawberry Trihelix transcription factor genes and new candidates for disease-resistance breeding of strawberries.

THE RISK OF FOREST FRUITS CONTAMINATION BY HEAVY METALS IN THE HOREHRONIE REGION (SLOVAKIA)

The Horehronie region belongs to the oldest industrial areas in Slovakia. It is contaminated by residual acid tar dumps from times of Petrochema Dubová factory production since 1964. In the presented study, heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Ni, Zn, Pb) were determined in soils and forest fruits (Vaccinium myrtillus L., Vaccinium vitis-idaea L., Fragaria vesca L., Rosa canina L., Rubus idaeus L.) collected over two years from five locations in the Horehronie using Flame AAS method (Zn, Cu, Ni) and Graphite Furnace AAS method (Cd, Pb). The cadmium content, which was higher than its limit value in all analysed soils, poses the biggest threat. We determined more than 20 times the limit value for cadmium in the sample Veľká Smrekovica (9.17 mg/kg).The contamination factor (Cf) values and the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) indicate that this hazardous metal is involved in soil contamination to a large extent. The highest values of the degree of contamination (Cdeg) and the pollution load index (PLI) were determined in samples from the Ždiarska dolina and the Veľká Smrekovica. The contents of nickel and zinc were higher than the limit values only in the 1st sampling year in the Ždiarska dolina sample (46.30 mg/kg; 138.30 mg/kg). The results showed that soil monitoring and remediation of old environmental burdens are important in the territory of the Horehronie region. The highest permissible amounts for cadmium were exceeded in all types of forest fruits (0.03-0.18 mg/kg FW). The contents of nickel and lead were exceeded only in the sample of rosehips (Rosa canina). The contents of zinc and copper were lower than the permissible amounts in all samples. The estimated daily intake (EDI) was lower than the acceptable daily intake of all heavy metals. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF), total hazardous quotient and hazard index of the analysed samples was &lt; 1, which means that the consumption of forest fruits from the Horehronie does not pose a health risk for the consumer.

Different evolutionary patterns of TIR1/AFBs and AUX/IAAs and their implications for the morphogenesis of land plants

BackgroundThe plant hormone auxin is widely involved in plant growth, development, and morphogenesis, and the TIR1/AFB and AUX/IAA proteins are closely linked to rapid auxin response and signal transmission. However, their evolutionary history, historical patterns of expansion and contraction, and changes in interaction relationships are still unknown.ResultsHere, we analyzed the gene duplications, interactions, and expression patterns of TIR1/AFBs and AUX/IAAs to understand their underlying mechanisms of evolution. The ratios of TIR1/AFBs to AUX/IAAs range from 4:2 in Physcomitrium patens to 6:29 in Arabidopsis thaliana and 3:16 in Fragaria vesca. Whole-genome duplication (WGD) and tandem duplication have contributed to the expansion of the AUX/IAA gene family, but numerous TIR1/AFB gene duplicates were lost after WGD. We further analyzed the expression profiles of TIR1/AFBs and AUX/IAAs in different tissue parts of Physcomitrium patens, Selaginella moellendorffii, Arabidopsis thaliana and Fragaria vesca, and found that TIR1/AFBs and AUX/IAAs were highly expressed in all tissues in P. patens, S. moellendorffii. In A. thaliana and F. vesca, TIR1/AFBs maintained the same expression pattern as the ancient plants with high expression in all tissue parts, while AUX/IAAs appeared tissue-specific expression. In F. vesca, 11 AUX/IAAs interacted with TIR1/AFBs with different interaction strengths, and the functional specificity of AUX/IAAs was related to their ability to bind TIR1/AFBs, thus promoting the development of specific higher plant organs. Verification of the interactions among TIR1/AFBs and AUX/IAAs in Marchantia polymorpha and F. vesca also showed that the regulation of AUX/IAA members by TIR1/AFBs became more refined over the course of plant evolution.ConclusionsOur results indicate that specific interactions and specific gene expression patterns both contributed to the functional diversification of TIR1/AFBs and AUX/IAAs.

The trithorax group factor ULTRAPETALA1 controls flower and leaf development in woodland strawberry

The trithorax group (TrxG) factors play a critical role in the regulation of gene transcription by modulating histone methylation. However, the biological functions of the TrxG components are poorly characterized in different plant species. In this work, we identified three allelic ethyl methane-sulfonate-induced mutants P7, R67 and M3 in the woodland strawberry Fragaria vesca. These mutants show an increased number of floral organs, a lower pollination rate, raised achenes on the surface of the receptacle and increased leaf complexity. The causative gene is FvH4_6g44900, which contains severe mutations leading to premature stop codons or alternative splicing in each mutant. This gene encodes a protein with high similarity to ULTRAPETALA1, a component of the TrxG complex, and is therefore named as FveULT1. Yeast-two-hybrid and split-luciferase assays revealed that FveULT1 can physically interact with the TrxG factor FveATX1 and the PcG repressive complex 2 (PRC2) accessory protein FveEMF1. Transcriptome analysis revealed that several MADS-box genes, FveLFY and FveUFO were significantly up-regulated in fveult1 flower buds. The leaf development genes FveKNOXs, FveLFYa and SIMPLE LEAF1 were strongly induced in fveult1 leaves, and their promoter regions showed increased H3K4me3 levels and decreased H3K27me3 levels in fveult1 compared to WT. Taken together, our results demonstrate that FveULT1 is important for flower, fruit and leaf development and highlight the potential regulatory functions of histone methylation in strawberry.

Ectopic Expression of FvVND4c Promotes Secondary Cell Wall Thickening and Flavonoid Accumulation in Fragaria vesca.

Secondary cell wall (SCW) thickening has a significant effect on the growth and development of plants, as well as in the resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Lignin accounts for the strength of SCW. It is synthesized through the phenylpropanoid pathway that also leads to flavonoid synthesis. The coupling strategies for lignin and flavonoid syntheses are diverse in plants. How their syntheses are balanced by transcriptional regulation in fleshy fruits is still unclear. The diploid strawberry (Fragaria vesca) is a model for fleshy fruits research due to its small genome and wide scope of genetic transformation. SCW thickening is regulated by a multilevel transcriptional regulatory network wherein vascular-related NAC domains (VNDs) act as key regulators. In this study, we systematically characterized VNDs in Fragaria vesca and explored their functions. The overexpression of FvVND4c in diploid strawberry fruits resulted in SCW thickening and fruit color changes accompanied with the accumulation of lignin and flavonoids. Genes related to these phenotypes were also induced upon FvVND4c overexpression. Among the induced genes, we found FvMYB46 to be a direct downstream regulator of FvVND4c. The overexpression of FvMYB46 resulted in similar phenotypes as FvVND4c, except for the color change. Transcriptomic analyses suggest that both FvVND4c and FvMYB46 act on phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways, and induce lignin synthesis for SCW. These results suggest that FvVND4c and FvMYB46 cooperatively regulate SCW thickening and flavonoid accumulation in Fragaria vesca.

Evaluation of Recovery Methods for Fragaria vesca L. Oil: Characteristics, Stability and Bioactive Potential.

Wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) seed oil (WSO) recovered by two methods-cold pressing (CP) and extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO2E)-taking into account the different extraction times, was characterized for its composition and quality. The cytotoxicity assessment of WSOs was also carried out using the normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cell line. Tocopherol and total polyphenol contents were significantly higher in WSO recovered by SCO2E, up to 1901.0 and 58.5 mg/kg, respectively, in comparison with CP oil. In CP oil, the highest content of carotenoids and squalene was determined (123.8 and 31.4 mg/kg, respectively). Phytosterol summed up to 5396 mg/kg in WSO collected in 30 min of SCO2E. Moreover, the highest oxidative stability was found for this oil. All studied WSOs were non-cytotoxic in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leaching and sulforhodamine B (SRB) assays; however, oils collected by SCO2E in 15 and 30 min were found to be cytotoxic in the tetrazolium salt (MTT) test, with the CC50 at a concentration of 3.4 and 5.5%, respectively. In conclusion, the composition of WSO indicates that, depending on the method of its recovery, seeds can have different bio-potencies and various applications.

Effect of Innovative Sediment-Based Growing Media on Fruit Quality of Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.)

The aim of this research was to assess the quality attributes of the fruits of wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca) “Regina delle Valli” plants cultivated in pots in remediated-sediment-based growing media (GM). For this purpose, phytoremediated and landfarmed dredged sediment from Leghorn Harbor (Italy) was mixed into a peat-based commercial substrate at different volume/volume percentages (0, 50 and 100%), and the plants were grown under greenhouse conditions with two different water regimes (WR1 = 950 cc/day; WR2 = 530 cc/day). The fruit quality parameters were differentially affected by the main factors (GM and WR) and their combinations. The fruits obtained from the substrate richest in treated sediment and with the higher water regime (TS100-WR1) showed the highest content of sugars (4056, 5256 and 5178 mg/100 g FW of sucrose, glucose and fructose, respectively), total soluble solids (16 °Brix) and organic acids (30, 490 and 2300 mg/100 g FW of ascorbic, malic and citric acid, respectively). Neither the polyphenol content nor the DPPH radical scavenging activity were significantly affected by the treatments, although the TS100-WR1 plants showed the highest DPPH value (an inhibition of 0.71%). Among the analyzed organic contaminants, only total heavy hydrocarbons (C10–C40) were found in fruits from TS50 and TS100 at very low values, while heavy metals were not detected. The PCA statistical multivariate analysis performed on the visual, olfactory, chewing and tasting aspects of a sensorial evaluation clearly showed that the substrate’s chemical–physical properties exerted a relevant influence on the fruit samples, while the irrigation regimes did not affect significantly fruit quality parameters. A number of highly correlated soil/fruit parameters were found. The remediated sediment proved to be a valid alternative to peat for wild strawberry production, even at the highest concentration.

Karyomorphology, genome size, and variation of antioxidant in twelve berry species from Iran

Twelve berry species, including Rubus fruticosus cv. Qaemshahr, Rubus occidentalis cv. Qaemshahr, and Morus alba cv. Mashhad, Morus rubra cv. Karaj, Fragaria vesca subsp. vesca, Ribes nigrum, Ribes rubrum, Ribes uva-crispa; Lycium barbarum, Lycium infaustum, Lycium ruthenicum, and Vaccinium corymbosum were surveyed for karyomorphology analysis, monoploid genome size, and antioxidant activity. Results indicated that all species were diploid (2n = 2x = 14, 16, 24, and 28). Among these species, chromosome counts and karyomorphology parameters of three cultivars including: R. fruticosus cv. Qaemshahr (2n = 2x = 14), R. occidentalis cv. Qaemshahr (2n = 2x = 14), and M. alba cv. Mashhad (2n = 2x = 28) are reported here for the first time. The flow cytometric mean monoploid 2Cx DNA of berry species was 2.35 pg, varied from 0.68 (Rubus occidentalis cv. Qaemshahr) to 5.15 pg (Lycium ruthenicum). The average antioxidant capacity of berry species was obtained 32.8 μmol g-1. Their average total phenol and flavonoid contents were 4.98 mg g-1 (3.08-8.61 mg g-1), and 5.18 (2.47-10.63 mg g-1), respectively.