Berry Shape Research Articles

Ampelographic Diversity Assessment of Local Grape Genotype Grown in India

Grapevine is well adapted to the agro climatic conditions of India, which makes it one of the major element of the Indian horticulture. However, there has been limited focus on assessing grapevine germplasm, and genetic resources have previously remained underutilized despite their potential for adapting to environmental changes. This study aims to evaluate the diversity of local (developed in India) grapevine accessions growing in different regions in India. A total of 20 local varieties were evaluated using 14 fruit traits previously developed by DUS. An important variability was revealed among the local varieties studied based on fruit characteristics. The most discriminant traits were bunch weight, berry diameter, bunch length, berry weight, berry shape, seed number per berry. Hierarchical clustering analysis showed three main clusters, each regrouping accessions of different named varieties. Mean values of cluster for various yield parameters revealed that cluster I possessed maximum value for yield related attributes. Maximum bunch weight was observed in Manjari Medika (270.0g) followed by Pusa Seedless (243.1 g), Arka Shyam (213.5 g) while higher 50 berry weight (201.0 g) and berry diameter (20.30 mm) in Arka Majestic genotype. Arka Majestic and Manjari Medika showed better quality traits. Our results indicate a potential of morphological diversity within the local genotypes that should be further investigated in order to understand their performance and to evaluate them in selection programs.

Blue and Red Light Downconversion Film Application Enhances Plant Photosynthetic Performance and Fruit Productivity of Rubus fruticosus L. var. Loch Ness

Light downconversion films can modulate incident light wavebands on crops, converting less utilised wavebands in an efficient way. In this experiment, red (conversion of green into red light wavebands), pink (conversion of UV and green into blue and red light but to a smaller degree than red film), and blue (conversion of UV into blue light) light downconversion films were used to cover blackberry plants throughout all phenological stages (from leaf emergence to fruit harvesting). The plants’ physiological and biometric performance, and fruit yield and quality were evaluated. Plants under blue and red films showed a higher net photosynthetic rate with +23.1% and +14.9%, respectively, and a higher stomatal conductance with +56.0% and +23.6%, respectively, with respect to controls, maintaining stability across stages, except for a decrease under the red film during fruiting. Both films significantly boosted the fruit yield, with the red film increasing the fruit number (+49.8%) and the blue film enhancing the berry shape (+10.7) and fresh weight (+36.6). Notably, no significant differences in nutraceutical quality, including total flavonoid and anthocyanin content, were observed. These findings suggest that light downconversion films, particularly red and blue films, can effectively enhance the photosynthetic performance and fruit production in blackberry plants without compromising the fruit quality. Future research on this topic should focus on balancing plant growth, fruit productivity, and enhancing fruit nutraceutical properties.

Of buds and bits: a meta-QTL study identifies stable QTL for berry quality and yield traits in cranberry mapping populations (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.).

For nearly two centuries, cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) breeders have improved fruit quality and yield by selecting traits on fruiting stems, termed "reproductive uprights." Crop improvement is accelerating rapidly in contemporary breeding programs due to modern genetic tools and high-throughput phenotyping methods, improving selection efficiency and accuracy. We conducted genotypic evaluation on 29 primary traits encompassing fruit quality, yield, and chemical composition in two full-sib cranberry breeding populations-CNJ02 (n = 168) and CNJ04 (n = 67)-over 3 years. Genetic characterization was further performed on 11 secondary traits derived from these primary traits. For CNJ02, 170 major quantitative trait loci (QTL; R 2 ≥ 0.10) were found with interval mapping, 150 major QTL were found with model mapping, and 9 QTL were found to be stable across multiple years. In CNJ04, 69 major QTL were found with interval mapping, 81 major QTL were found with model mapping, and 4 QTL were found to be stable across multiple years. Meta-QTL represent stable genomic regions consistent across multiple years, populations, studies, or traits. Seven multi-trait meta-QTL were found in CNJ02, one in CNJ04, and one in the combined analysis of both populations. A total of 22 meta-QTL were identified in cross-study, cross-population analysis using digital traits for berry shape and size (8 meta-QTL), digital images for berry color (2 meta-QTL), and three-study cross-analysis (12 meta-QTL). Together, these meta-QTL anchor high-throughput fruit quality phenotyping techniques to traditional phenotyping methods, validating state-of-the-art methods in cranberry phenotyping that will improve breeding accuracy, efficiency, and genetic gain in this globally significant fruit crop.

Identification of Novel Quantitative Trait Loci Associated with Table Grape Fruit Quality Characteristics in a Segregating Population and Transferability of Existing Quality Markers

Grape (Vitis) production and fruit quality traits such as cluster size, berry shape, and timing of fruit development are key aspects when selecting cultivars for commercial production. Molecular markers for some, but not all, of these traits have been identified using biparental or association mapping populations. Previously identified markers were tested for transferability using a small (24 individual) test panel of commercially available grape cultivars. Markers had little to no ability to differentiate grape phenotypes based on the expected characteristics, except the marker for seedlessness. Using a biparental interspecific cross, 43 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) (previously identified and new genomic regions) associated with berry shape, number, size, cluster weight, cluster length, time to flower, veraison, and full color were detected. Kompetitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction markers designed on newly identified QTLs were tested for transferability using the same panel. Transferability was low when use types were combined, but they were varied when use types were evaluated separately. A comparison of a 4-Mb region at the end of chromosome 18 revealed structural differences among grape species and use types. Table grape cultivars had the highest similarity in structure for this region (>75%) compared with other grape species and commodity types.

Fruit morphology in Anthurium sect. Pachyneurium from Brazil (Araceae) and its taxonomic implications

The revision of Anthurium section Pachyneurium from Brazil provided the opportunity to expand the knowledge of berry attributes. Through examination of infructescence, fruits, and seeds from 11 species A. sect. Pachyneurium from Brazil, we aimed to uncover morphological variations in berry shape, size, color, ornamentation, and seed characteristics are crucial for taxonomic insights within the broader Anthurium genus. The study presents diagnostic descriptions for 11 Pachyneurium species, complemented by an identification key, diagnoses, illustrations, and a comparative table, based on infructescence, fruit and seeds. Pachyneurium species have oblong to obovoid berries, rarely globose shape, purple or reddish color and 1–2 seeds per berry, 1 is generally aborted. By elucidating the taxonomic value of these attributes, we provide essential tools for accurate species identification and classification, thus advancing botanical taxonomy and enriching our comprehension of this specific plant group.

QTL mapping for berry shape based on a high-density genetic map constructed by whole-genome resequencing in grape

Grape berry shape is an important agricultural trait. Clarifying its genetic basis is significant for cultivating grape varieties that meet market demands. However, the current study by forward genetics has not achieved in-depth results. Here, a high-density map was constructed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for berry shape. A total of 358 709 polymorphic SNPs were obtained using whole-genome resequencing (WGS) based on 208 F2 individuals derived from round grape ‘E42-6’ and oblong grape ‘Rizamat’. The 1 635.65 cM high-density map was divided into 19 linkage groups with an average distance of 0.37 cM. Using this map, three significant QTLs for fruit shape index (ShI: ratio of berry length to berry width) identified over three years were mapped onto LG4 and LG5, including one stable QTL on Chr5 with the genomic region of 0.47–1.94 Mb. Combining with gene annotation and expression patterns based on RNA-seq data from two contrasting F2 individuals with round and oblong berry (their average ShI was 1.89 and 1.10, respectively) at four developmental stages, four candidate genes were selected from the above QTLs. They were mainly involved in DNA replication, cell wall modification, and phytohormone biosynthesis. Further analysis of RNA-seq data revealed that several important phytohormone synthesis and metabolic pathways were enriched based on differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which was consistent with the results of QTL mapping for genes related to plant hormone biosynthesis in the F2 population. Furthermore, a comparison of plant hormone content showed that there were significant differences in IAA and tZ content between the two contrasting F2 individuals at different developmental stages. Our findings provide molecular insights into the genetic variation in grape berry shape. Stable QTLs and their tightly linked markers offer the possibility of marker-assisted selection to accelerate berry shape breeding.

Assessment of the size and shape of berries using the ImageJ program on the example of honeysuckle

Background. Digital technologies are increasingly used in agriculture to solve a variety of problems. However, in horticulture and industrial production of fruit and berry crops, qualitative evaluation and scoring of the most important morphological indicators of fruits are still common, and measurements are carried out manually. The aim of this study was to develop an algorithm for using the ImageJ package for quick and accurate measurements of the size and shape of berries.Materials and methods. The material included 190 berries of 3 blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) cultivars: ‘Amazonka’, ‘Lazurit’, and ‘Lenita’. The berries were laid out on a white sheet of paper with a ruler on top of the glass and photographed with additional lighting from below. The analysis of the obtained images was carried out using the public domain package ImageJ (v. 1.51k) and included automatic search for objects and their measurement by 7 indicators: area, perimeter, maximum and minimum Feret diameters, aspect ratio, circularity, and surface roundness (1-Solidity). Statistical analysis included the calculation of the minimum, maximum and mean values with a nonparametric 95% CI (bootstrap, percentile method), comparison of cultivars using the Kruskal–Wallis test, and search for the most typical objects based on the results of a between-group PCA.Results. It was shown how the size and shape indicators from the ImageJ package related to classical measurements in pomology, including length, diameter, and berry shape index. For all indicators, the differences between cultivars were highly statistically significant (p < 0.001). The prospects of using the surface roughness index for quantitative characterization of the degree of deviation of fruits from their natural shape due to mechanical and other deformations are discussed.Conclusion. The results of the automatic image analysis in the ImageJ package can be used in horticulture, breeding, and production of fruits and berries.

A Field Collection of Indigenous Grapevines as a Valuable Repository for Applied Research.

The grapevine is an economically important plant, with a historical connection to the development of human culture. Currently, over 6000 accessions are known as individual grapevine varieties, some of which are important to national heritage, valuable for current viticultural practices, and as genetic resources to maintain plasticity under changing climatic conditions, environmental sustainability, and market demands. Recently, the diversity of cultivated grapevines has declined significantly, due to the increased focus of global wine industries on a few major cultivars. Moreover, due to biotic and abiotic stresses, the wild V. vinifera germplasm’s genetic diversity has declined, with some varieties on the verge of extinction. Vitis germplasm conservation can be achieved via either in situ (e.g., protected areas) or Ex situ (e.g., field collections, seed banks, and tissue culture collections) methods. This study aims to highlight the importance of Vitis field bank collections. We demonstrate the research done in the Israeli indigenous Vitis vinifera collection. The multi-layer analysis of the varieties enabled the identification of drought stress-resistant varieties, and suggested a mechanism for this resistance through noting the dramatic phenological differences in foliage development between resistant and sensitive varieties. In addition, we show a general characterization of the varieties via major grape characteristics, including bunch and berry shape, as well as their possible utilization based on their aromatic and phenolic profiles.

Genome-wide association study of the candidate genes for grape berry shape-related traits

BackgroundIn the breeding of new horticultural crops, fruit shape is an important selection characteristic. A variety of fruit shapes appeared during the gradual process of selection and domestication. However, few studies have been conducted on grape berry shape, especially studies related to mining candidate genes. To discover candidate genes related to grape berry shape, the present study first took the berry shape parameters analyzed by Tomato Analyzer as the target traits and used a genome-wide association analysis to analyze candidate genes.ResultsIn total, 122 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci had significant correlations with multiple berry shape traits in both years, and some candidate genes were further mined. These genes were mainly related to LRR receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinase (At1g05700 and At1g07650), transcription factors (GATA transcription factor 23-like, transcription factor VIP1, transcription initiation factor TFIID, and MADS-box transcription factor 6), ubiquitin ligases (F-box protein SKIP19 and RING finger protein 44), and plant hormones (indole-3-acetic acid-amido synthetase GH3.6 and ethylene-responsive transcription factor ERF061). In addition, some important SNP loci were associated with multiple berry-shape traits. The study further revealed some genes that control multiple traits simultaneously, indicating that these berry shape traits are subject to the coordinated regulation of some genes in controlling berry shape.ConclusionsIn the present work, we identified interesting genetic determinants of grape berry shape-related traits. The identification of molecular markers that are closely related to these berry-shape traits is of great significance for breeding specific berry-shaped grape varieties.

Characteristics of newly created grapevine varieties Vozd and Vladun

This paper presents the most important morphological and production-technological characteristics of newly created grapevine varieties Vozd and Vladun, intended for the production of red wines. The newly created varieties were compared with the standard variety Cabernet Sauvignon during the three-year period of testing (2015-2017) in the relation studied properties. The variety Vozd obtained from the crossing combination Zacinak x Prokupac, and the variety Vladun from the crossing combination Merlot x Zupski Bojadiser. The investigated varieties differed considerably in terms of some morphological traits and represents unique genotypes. The newly recognized varieties have a hermaphrodite type of flower, dense bunch, globose berry shape and blue black color of berry skin. The yield, bunch weight, bunch length and bunch width were higher at both varieties than for the standard variety. The Vozd variety had a yield of 1.29 kg/m2 and a bunch weight of 174.3 g, and the Vladun variety had a yield of 0.87 kg/m2 and a bunch weight of 153.7 g. For the standard variety the grape yield was 0.78 kg/m2 and the bunch weight was 134.0 g. The content of sugar and total acids in the must of the Vozd variety was 20.5% and 6.5 g/l, while for the Vladun variety it was 21.8% and 6.0 g/l respectively. Wine of both varieties was drinkable, harmonious, with a specific varietal of smell and taste and contained 12.1 vol. % of alcohol (Vozd variety), or 12.6 vol. % of alcohol (Vladun variety). Due to the many positive features of the grapes and wines from the Vozd and Vladun varieties, their spread to the production vineyards of Serbia is expected.

Some Important Food Quality Traits of Autochthonous Grape Cultivars

Grapes (Vitis L.), one of the most important and old fruit crops in the world, are grown in a wide range of environments from Australia to North America and from Japan to Chile. All grape growing countries use both international and local cultivars in production to obtain fresh and dried fruits or wine. In Turkey, each region has their own local grape cultivars. Seven local cultivars and one standard grape cultivar, grown in Coruh valley, were analyzed for morphological traits (bunch size, berry color, and berry shape), biochemical characteristics (sugars, organic acids, vitamin C, phenolic compounds, total carotenoids, and flavonoids content), and % inhibition level (antioxidant capacity). The grape cultivars differed from each other in the morphological and biochemical traits. The grape berries contain predominantly nine main phenolic compounds, five organic acids, and two sugars. Among phenolic compounds, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, rutin, and quercetin were found to be dominant for most of the cultivars between 2.365–5.112 mg/L, 0.923–2.147 mg/L, 0.856–1.711 mg/L, and 0.621–1.347 mg/L, respectively. The local cultivar Kirmizi Istanbul had more chlorogenic acid than the other cultivars. The berries with darker skin color, specifically Kara Turfanda and Nanebur, had higher % inhibition level (antioxidant capacity) than the brighter ones, which correspond also to the results of flavonoid contents. Overall, the local genotypes were found promising due to favorable properties and could be recommended for farmers and consumers.

Quantitative analysis of the berry size in grapevine cultivar ‘Italia’ •

AbstractQuantitative evaluation of the horticultural crops has high importance to identify cultivars, describe the effect of the growing location and cultivation technology or define consumer's preference regarding the size and shape. Fruit traits of the grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) are mainly described by the bunch and berry morphology notably bunch and berry size, weight and shape. Ampelographers particularly evaluate the berry based on the seed number as it influences size and consumers' decision. In this study, berry morphological traits of the grapevine cultivar ‘Italia’ was investigated based on digital image analysis. Samples were collected from two vineyards in Hungary with different ecological and cultivation circumstances. Altogether 12 traits were investigated: weight, seed number, size and shape attributes. Results showed that berry morphological traits – except from the shape attributes – are not differing between the two sampling locations. In accordance with previous studies, seed number – ranging from 0 to 4 – had noticeable effect on the size attributes.

COMMERCIAL INDICATORS OF NEW INTRODUCED SPECIES OF GARDEN STRAWBERRY

The article presents the comprehensive studies results of fresh berries of garden strawberry of the introduced species
 Alba, Vibrant, Cupid, Matis, Hanoi, Elsanta in comparison with the zoned species Zenga-Zengana. 
 In terms of hardness, all the studied species surpassed the standard Zenga-Zengana species (the average hardness was
 2.6 N/cm2). The average content of soluble solids was 8.7 %. In terms of berry size (the average berry weight is more than 12 g), the species Alba, Vibrant, Cupid, Mathis, Hanoi, Elsanta are distinguished. The garden waste and losses in the studied
 strawberry species amounted to 2.3–3.5 %, which leads to small losses during processing. The studied species are heartshaped
 or round-shaped; the berry shape index ranged from 0.9 to 1.3. The size of berries in all studied species in terms
 of the largest transverse diameter was 27.4–34.4 mm. Fresh berries of all studied garden strawberry species had an attractive
 appearance and colour, juicy texture, pronounced aroma and good taste. The average degustation score ranged from 4.5 to 4.9.
 In the process of research, it was found that the garden strawberry species of the foreign selection Alba, Vibrant, Cupid,
 Mathis, Hanoi, Elsanta had high commercial qualities.

Floricane yield and berry quality of seven primocane red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) cultivars

Primocane raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) may produce crop on the lower part of the cane during the second year of its’ growth cycle, if the canes are retained over winter. We aimed to evaluate the floricane cropping potential and berry quality in seven primocane raspberry cultivars, which are too late for fall cropping in the Northern growing conditions. Long cane plants of these cultivars were produced, overwintered, and grown like floricane cultivars in a high tunnel. Harvesting floricane crop started in mid-June, and the length of the summer cropping season was between eight to 10 weeks. 'Joan J' and 'Imara' were the earliest cultivars, and 'Autumn Bliss' was the latest. Total floricane yield in most cultivars was between 1.7 to 2.0 kg/cane. ‘Autumn Treasure’ yielded significantly less, and ‘Autumn Bliss’ produced 2.5 kg berries /cane. The average berry size was 5 g, except in ‘Autumn Bliss’ and ‘Autumn Treasure’, which had smaller berries. The highest sugar content was observed in 'Kwanza' berries and the lowest in 'Polka'. High throughput phenotyping proved an effective tool for determining berry shape and color. ‘Kwanza’ berry color was the reddest, yellowest and lightest of all cultivars. Based on our results, growing primocane raspberry cultivars as long cane plants for production of summer crop is more reliable than growing them as fall cropping in short growing season conditions. The cultivars ‘Imara’ and ‘Kweli’ were the most promising in our experiment; they had a high yield potential and excellent berry quality.

Evaluation The Effect of Intercropping Garlic with Grapevines on Productivity, Phytoremediation, Competitive Indices and Plant Parasitic Nematode Community تقييم تأثير تحميل الثوم مع العنب على الإنتاجية والمعالجة النباتية والعلاقات التنافسية ومجتمع النيماتودا المتطفلة على النبات

The present investigation was carried out during winter of the consecutive seasons (2018/2019 and 2019/2020) on 9 year old Flame Seedless grapevines grown in a private vineyard at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Garlic (Balady cv) was intercropped with grapevines (Flame Seedless cv) on dripper irrigation lines, as a try to reduce numbers of phytonematodes in grapevine soil. For grapevines, the obtained results referred that intercropping insignificantly (P≤0.05) increased number of berries/bunch, weight of 100 berries and berry firmness, separation force, total soluble solids percentage, anthocyanin content and yield/ vine as well as bunch weight and width, berry length, berry diameter and berry shape index compared to sole grapevines. For garlic (Balady cv), the achieved results pointed out that plant height, number of leaves/plant, leaf fresh weight/ plant, nick diameter as well as bulb diameter, height and weight/ plant insignificantly decreased when garlic intercropped with grapevines compared to control. Competition indices; i.e., land equivalent ratio (LER), area time equivalent ratio (ATER) and land utilization efficiency (LUE) showed that, intercropping garlic with grapevines was more efficient than sole cropping system. Aggressively estimation demonstrated that grapevines were dominant advantages while garlic was dominated. Moreover, intercropping garlic (Balady cv) with grapevines was obviously decreased population density of phytonematodes infesting grapevine orchard. Generally, garlic together with other biocontrol agents in grapevine orchards has the potential to be an efficient and environmentally agricultural management method to reduce numbers of plant parasitic nematodes.

Main Agro-Morphological and Biochemical Berry Characteristics of Wild-Grown Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L. ssp. caucasica Rousi) Genotypes in Turkey

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L. ssp. caucasica Rousi) is one of the most important wild edible fruits, grown in Turkey for centuries without any chemical treatments. The plant is extremely resistant to adverse environmental conditions. In this study, the main agro-morphological and biochemical berry traits and, to a lesser extent, other plant morphological traits of 10 sea buckthorn genotypes sampled from the eastern Anatolia (Sivas province) region were assessed. Among the 10 genotypes, five of them presented a shrub growth habit, whereas five of them presented tree growth habit, with leaf area ranging from 2.56 to 4.22 cm2. The majority of genotypes had an oblong berry shape with variable berry skin color ranging from dark orange to orange, light orange, and yellow. The weight of 100 berries varied from 13.85 to 23.87 g, while juice yield and vitamin C content was found to be 44.87–57.15% and 37.45–62.85 mg/100 g fresh berry base, respectively. Soluble solid content (SSC) was in the range of 12.56–14.67%. The genotypes exhibited a great variability in total anthocyanin content (from 9.1 to 38.7 mg/L), with relatively dark-orange sea buckthorn berries containing more anthocyanin than orange, light-orange, and yellow berries. Linoleic acid was the main fatty acid detected in the pulp of sea buckthorn berries, ranging from 24.11% to 36.37%, depending on the genotype. Investigated genotypes proved also to be rich in total phenolic content, showing at the same time great variability in this trait. The results obtained from the relatively limited number of genotypes show promising traits for further valorization of both horticultural and nutritional traits, suggesting potentially even higher variability, if more genotypes are going to be considered in the future.

Analysis of the grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) berry shape by using elliptic Fourier descriptors

AbstractGrapevine berry shape has important marketing value in the table grape commerce, hence variability evaluation of this characteristic is highly important. In this study berry shape of 5 table grape genotypes: “Fanny”, “Lidi”, “Hamburgi muskotály”, “Moldova”, and “Orsi” were compared. To evaluate the shape variability graphic reconstruction and elliptic Fourier analysis have been carried out. Shape outlines have been investigated and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) has been performed with the SHAPE software package. PCA of the contours showed that 6 out of the 77 principal components were effective to describe shape attributes. The first 6 PCs explained 94.51% of the total variance. PC1 associated with the width and length of the berry. PC2 related to the shape of the top and bottom of the berries, while PC3 linked to the ratio of the top and the bottom width. ANOVA of the principal component scores revealed significant difference among the genotypes. Results suggest that morphology of the berry is a variable not only among but within the accessions. Our findings confirmed that elliptic Fourier descriptors (EFDs) would be a powerful tool for quantifying grapevine berry morphological diversity.

Novel stable QTLs identification for berry quality traits based on high-density genetic linkage map construction in table grape

BackgroundAroma, berry firmness and berry shape are three main quality traits in table grape production, and also the important target traits in grapevine breeding. However, the information about their genetic mechanisms is limited, which results in low accuracy and efficiency of quality breeding in grapevine. Mapping and isolation of quantitative trait locus (QTLs) based on the construction of genetic linkage map is a powerful approach to decipher the genetic determinants of complex quantitative traits.ResultsIn the present work, a final integrated map consisting of 3411 SLAF markers on 19 linkage groups (LGs) with an average distance of 0.98 cM between adjacent markers was generated using the specific length amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) technique. A total of 9 significant stable QTLs for Muscat flavor, berry firmness and berry shape were identified on two linkage groups among the hybrids analyzed over three consecutive years from 2016 to 2018. Notably, new stable QTLs for berry firmness and berry shape were found on LG 8 respectively for the first time. Based on biological function and expression profiles of candidate genes in the major QTL regions, 3 genes (VIT_08s0007g00440, VIT_08s0040g02740 and VIT_08s0040g02350) related to berry firmness and 3 genes (VIT_08s0032g01110, VIT_08s0032g01150 and VIT_08s0105g00200) linked to berry shape were highlighted. Overexpression of VIT_08s0032g01110 in transgenic Arabidopsis plants caused the change of pod shape.ConclusionsA new high-density genetic map with total 3411 markers was constructed with SLAF-seq technique, and thus enabled the detection of narrow interval QTLs for relevant traits in grapevine. VIT_08s0007g00440, VIT_08s0040g02740 and VIT_08s0040g02350 were found to be related to berry firmness, while VIT_08s0032g01110, VIT_08s0032g01150 and VIT_08s0105g00200 were linked to berry shape.

Priority trends and prospects of blackberry breeding in conditions of Central Russia.

This overview substantiates the possibility and expediency of blackberry breeding in Central Russia, where it is in demand, but not widespread in horticulture. Significant achievements of world breeding, which gave modern cultivars a large set of economically important qualities and growing interest in it all over the world, including Russian gardeners, make it relevant to work with blackberries as an object of selection, and as a promising garden plant. However, insufficient frost and winter hardiness of the bulk of the cultivars of this culture cause certain difficulties when growing it in the areas with cold winters to which the Central zone of Russia belongs. The expansion of the market of berry products also imposes increasingly high requirements on the complex of economic indicators of new cultivars, primarily the quality of blackberry fruit. In this regard, improving the existing range of varieties of the culture, increasing its adaptive properties and commodity qualities of berries are urgent tasks for breeders when creating new cultivars. The relevance of blackberry breeding is also dictated by the fact that in Russia its domestic range of varieties is represented by only one modern cultivar obtained in the southern region and adapted, first of all, to it. For the Central zone of the country, the cultivars of this plant have not been developed (except for the limited experiments of I.V. Michurin conducted almost 100 years ago). Therefore, the breeding of adapted cultivars of the culture in the climatic conditions of this region may be promising. It is also possible to grow here (with shelter for the winter) the cultivars already created abroad that can give with the right agricultural technology a good industrial harvest, which is confirmed by the practice of amateur and farm gardening, as well as scientific research. The purpose of this work is to designate the leading directions of blackberry breeding, the most important in the conditions of Central Russia and to show prospects of the development of new cultivars of this valuable culture in the specified climatic zone. The analysis of world trends and experience in the blackberry breeding and variety study, as well as the results of our own research of the culture conducted in the Orel region, allow us to consider it promising and relevant to work on improving the range of varieties of this plant in Central Russia. All priority areas of blackberry breeding, indicated in foreign and domestic breeding programs (winter hardiness, high quality of fresh and processed fruit, the correct shape of berries, their large size, the necessary values of biochemical composition, high productivity of plants, thornless shoots and high resistance to diseases and pests), are relevant for this region of our country, while high winter hardiness is currently the most important of them.

Defining strawberry shape uniformity using 3D imaging and genetic mapping

Strawberry shape uniformity is a complex trait, influenced by multiple genetic and environmental components. To complicate matters further, the phenotypic assessment of strawberry uniformity is confounded by the difficulty of quantifying geometric parameters ‘by eye’ and variation between assessors. An in-depth genetic analysis of strawberry uniformity has not been undertaken to date, due to the lack of accurate and objective data. Nonetheless, uniformity remains one of the most important fruit quality selection criteria for the development of a new variety. In this study, a 3D-imaging approach was developed to characterise berry shape uniformity. We show that circularity of the maximum circumference had the closest predictive relationship with the manual uniformity score. Combining five or six automated metrics provided the best predictive model, indicating that human assessment of uniformity is highly complex. Furthermore, visual assessment of strawberry fruit quality in a multi-parental QTL mapping population has allowed the identification of genetic components controlling uniformity. A “regular shape” QTL was identified and found to be associated with three uniformity metrics. The QTL was present across a wide array of germplasm, indicating a potential candidate for marker-assisted breeding, while the potential to implement genomic selection is explored. A greater understanding of berry uniformity has been achieved through the study of the relative impact of automated metrics on human perceived uniformity. Furthermore, the comprehensive definition of strawberry shape uniformity using 3D imaging tools has allowed precision phenotyping, which has improved the accuracy of trait quantification and unlocked the ability to accurately select for uniform berries.