Biochemical Composition Of Fruits Research Articles

Study of the peculiarities of the main phenological growth and development phases, as well as commercial qualities of fruits of rare citrus taxa under conditions of humid subtropics of Russia

The citrus collection of the FRC Subtropical Research Center of the RAS includes 144 genotypes and contains rare species and cultivars that are of great interest for use in production, breeding, and ornamental horticulture. The research examined 13 rare taxa: Citrus aurantifolia, C. aurantifolia ‘Foro’, C.×latifolia, C.×bergamia, C. ichangensis, C. limon ‘Del Brasil’, C.×limonelloides, C.×limetta ‘Chontipico’, C. maxima ‘Sambokan’, C. medica, C. medica var. sarcodactylus, C.×meyeri, C.×myrtifolia. The research established the times and differences in the passage of the main phenological phases, namely bud opening and flower-bud formation, flowering, second and third active growth, fruit ripening. The beginning of the growing season of the studied objects was registered in the second and third decades of March; the difference between the early onset for C. aurantifolia (16.03) and the late onset for C. ichangensis (01.04) is 14–20 days. Two active growth periods were established for C. ichangensis, C. limon ‘Del Brasil’, C. maxima ‘Sambokan’, and C. medica, while the other citrus taxa under study had three periods of active growth. According to their flowering dates, taxa with early (April 11–13), middle (April 18–19), and late (April 23–28) flowering time were identified. Long flowering (29–36 days) is typical for taxa with early flowering. Remontant taxa, i. e. C. aurantifolia, C. aurantifolia ‘Foro’, C.×latifolia, C.×bergamia, C.×limonelloides, C.×limetta ‘Chontipico’, C. limon ‘Del Brasil’, C.×meyeri were identified. From the beginning of the growing season to fruit ripening, the effective heat summation was determined to be 4710–5250 ℃. The study also identified taxa with late fruit ripening, namely C. medica and C.×myrtifolia (third decade of December – first decade of January). The taxa with the best commercial qualities and biochemical composition of fruits were C. maxima ‘Sambokan’, C.×meyeri, and C.×limetta ‘Chontipico’.

Biochemical composition of fruit must from small-fruit apple varieties grown in the Southern Baikal Region

Most climatic zones of the Russian Federation include vast apple plantations that serve as the primary source of raw materials for the production of cider and fruit alcoholic beverages. The technological potential of new apple varieties in the production of fruit alcoholic beverages is understudied. The present study aims to examine the chemical composition (including the fractional composition of sugars and organic acids) of fruit must from small-fruit apple varieties grown in the Southern Baikal region and to identify the most suitable varieties for cider production.The biochemical composition of must was determined via conventional methods as per state standards. Smallfruit semi-cultivars grown in the Southern Baikal Region are characterized by variability in the content of extractive substances. In different years, the fruit of the same variety accumulates different amounts of dissolved solids (12.5–14.5%), primarily sugars (109.3–135.3 g/dm3). Among sugars, fructose is the most abundant (over 50%), followed by glucose. The proportion of disaccharides in the composition of sugars in the fruits of different varieties ranges from 9.1 to 21.5%. The concentration of organic acids in the studied varieties ranges from 7.2 to 13.0 g/dm3. The detected organic acids include malic acid (up to 83.4%), citric acid (up to 6.7%), lactic acid (up to 6.4%), succinic acid (up to 2.5%), as well as trace amounts of tartaric and acetic acids. The amount of phenolic compounds in the specimens varies from 522.5 to 1704.6 mg/dm3. The studied semi-cultivars were classified as sharp and bittersharp cider apple varieties.

Biochemical composition of fruit in <i>Actinidia deliciosa</i> (A. Chev.) C. F. Liang & A. R. Ferguson in the humid subtropics of Russia

The article characterizes a kiwifruit cultivated in the subtropical zone of the Black Sea coast in Krasnodar Krai. Scientists are currently interested in kiwifruits that contain a considerable amount of vitamins, specifically vitamin C. The present study aims to examine the biochemical composition of a kiwifruit having a high nutritional value, as well as vitamins and useful elements necessary for the human body. These studies on the plantings of Actinidia deliciosa have been conducted at the Adler Experiment Station of the Federal Research Center N. I. Vavilov AllRussian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (Krasnodar Krai) since 2017. The growing area is 5×4 m, amounting to ha. The crop is grown in alluvial grassland low-humus soil. The biochemical composition of fruit was analyzed at the Department of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry of the Subtropical Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The results of biochemical studies (2017–2018) evaluating the fruit of Actinidia delicata are presented. The study included five kiwifruit varieties: ‘Hayward’ (late ripening period), ‘Allison’, ‘Abbott’ (early ripening period), ‘Bruno’, and ‘Monty’ (average ripening period). The maximum sugar amount of 9.67–10.92 % was observed in the fruit of ‘Monty’, ‘Bruno’, ‘Abbott’, and ‘Allison’ varieties, while the minimum amount was found in ‘Hayward’ (7.79 %). In the experiment, the titratable acidity amounted to 0.75–0.82 %. The sugar-acid ratio was found to be within the range of 9.50–14.99 RU. The best varieties in terms of the content of extractive substances in fruits were ‘Abbott’ and ‘Bruno’. A high ascorbic acid content of 148–171 mg/100 g was observed in ‘Hayward’, ‘Abbott’, and ‘Bruno’ varieties, while a low content of 119.50–125.50 mg/100 g was noted in ‘Monty’ and ‘Allison’ as compared to other varieties. The quantitative content of dry matter was found to be within 15.04–16.00 %, which indicates good transportability, storability, and shelf life of kiwifruit as long as the necessary rules are followed.

Evaluation of the biochemical composition and commercial qualities of introduced apple varieties in the conditions of Dagestan

The weight of a complex of unfavorable factors negatively affects the quality and sustainability of the resulting fruit products. One of the ways to increase the resistance of perennial plantations is the cultivation and introduction of apple varieties into the assortment that are complexly resistant to dominant diseases and stress factors. The main important property of varieties is the commercial quality and biochemical composition of fruits, which determine the main directions and taste qualities. Observations by IMI revealed patterns in the passage of the main phenological phases of the development of apple varieties, characterizing the greatest intervarietal variability, determined the dates characterizing the beginning and end of flowering, depending on the ripening period. The earliest flowering (13.04) and a long 16 days was noted in the summer variety of the Feya apple tree, and later in the late ripening Renet Simirenko (27.04) with a flowering time of eight days. Apple-tree varieties with high resistance to scab and powdery mildew were selected according to the ripening time: summer — Fortuna, autumn — Carmen and Talisman, winter — Talida, Nika. Identification of varietal characteristics of commercial qualities of fruits by attractiveness (fruit weight, taste, appearance) and varieties with a high content of dry matter (Fortuna, Nika), vitamin C — flying varieties Feya, Fortuna (17.0–14.5 mg / 100 g) were selected.

Fruit Characteristics of Transgenic pear (Pyrus communis L.) Trees During Long-Term Field Trials.

The quality of transgenic fruits was studied only for apple, plum and citrus. We first evaluated the transgenic fruit characteristics of pear, which is one of the most consumed fruit crops. The size, shape and biochemical composition of fruits from field-grown pear trees with marker genes were analyzed for 5 years. Soluble solids, vitamin C, and phenolic compounds varied significantly between transgenic lines, but these deviations were inconsistent. Arbutin content and sugar:acidity ratio were the most stable parameters. One transgenic line showed a stable increase in fruit weight (by 12.2-21.2%). The extremely dry and hot season increased the total phenolics (2.6-3.6 times) and tannin (3.2-3.6 times) levels, but not flavonoids. The harvest year had a stronger effect on analyzed fruit parameters than the genotype. Our study found no unintended effects of genetic transformation on pear fruit quality and confirms the importance of long-term field tests for perennial transgenic plants.

The effect of mulching materials on yield, biochemical composition and preservation of fruits of bell pepper

Introduction. The use of new covering materials is an important modern agrotechnique for cultivating of bell pepper in the open ground, which allows to minimize chemical treatments, increasing the yield, quality and preservation quality of vegetable products.The purpose of this work is to study the effect of various mulching materials (black polyethylene film and spandbond «Agrotex 60 perforated mulch») on the yield of bell pepper and also on biochemical composition of fruits and on their preservation quality in relation to the ripeness phase.Methods. The objects of the study were the fruits of two bell pepper hybrids of domestic and foreign breeding (respectively Nathalie F1 and Anetta F1), grown in the open ground using mulching materials. The experiments were laid according to standard methods adopted in vegetable growing. Storage was carried out in accordance with the methodological guidelines for conducting research on the storage of vegetables.Results. The use of mulching materials contributed to an increase in total yield and the yield of standard products in the crop structure, and also positively affected the accumulation of solids, vitamin C, monosaccharides, disaccharides and as a whole – the sum of sugars. The domestic hybrid Natalie F1 (74.9%), grown using black film as a mulching material, as compared to foreign hybrid Anetta F1 (71.3%), was characterized by better preservation quality. Significant differences in the chemical composition of fruits depending on the ripeness phase were revealed. Fruits laid for storage in full biological ripeness (red) were characterized by an increased amount of weight loss on all storage options. A positive effect on the storage persistence of bell pepper fruits with use of mulching materials on all variants of the experiment was also established.

Economic and bioсhemical assessment of introduced varieties of apple trees in the foothill province of Dagestan

Relevance. The increase of the influence of environmental factors sets the task for science to introduce into the culture high-quality and good-keeping apple varieties of commodity-consumer demand that meet the requirements of intensive gardening.Methods. This article presents the results of the study and evaluation of introduced apple varieties of autumn and winter ripening (Aidared, Champion Reno, Renet Simirenko, Civt1 5, Fuji Kiku) of domestic and foreign selection, cultivated in the southeastern foothill province of the Republic Dagestan.Results. As a result of the study, a comparative characteristic of varieties was given in terms of commodity-consumer qualities and the biochemical composition of fruits. Apple varieties had an attractive appearance: Civt 15 — 4.9 Fuji Kiku — 4.8 points. Of particular importance is the keeping quality of fruits, as one of the factors reflecting the possibility of storage. The longest storage period (220 days) was noted for the Civt1 5 variety. The variety of introduced apple varieties in the region makes it possible to choose the most valuable varieties in terms of biochemical composition and other indicators for their further use, both fresh and canned. Varieties with a high content of biologically active substances, vitamin C have been identified — Aidared (13.2mg/100 g), Civt1 5 (10.9), Renet Simirenko (7.8 mg/100g ). The level of sugar content ranged from 8.3% (Renet Simirenko) to 12.5% (Civt 15). A group of varieties with a set of quality indicators for introduction into production is recommended.

Biochemical and technological evaluation of peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) for functional food products

Pepper is one of the main nightshade vegetables in open and protected ground. There are a large number of varieties and hybrids that differ in agrotechnological characteristics and biochemical composition of fruits (content of dry substances, sugars, vitamins and other biologically active substances). However, not all varieties are suitable for being processed into functional food products. The article considers the assortment of sweet and hot peppers for open ground in terms of yield, commercial qualities and biochemical composition of fruits: the content of dry substances, sugars, vitamin C. Comprehensive assessment of 8 varieties of sweet peppers and 5 varieties of hot peppers identified the varieties Spartak, Kvazar and Pleiades (sweet pepper) and varieties G-1713 and Debut (hot pepper), which have high yields, marketability, vitamin value and suitability for processing into functional products. In breeding work, varieties of sweet pepper are of interest for use as sources of the main economically valuable traits: by yield – Spartak, Pleiades; by weight of fruits – Kvazar; pericarp wall thickness – Spartak, Kvazar; by the content of sugars and dry substances – Spartak, Biktash; by the content of vitamin C – Spartak, Biktash, Kvazar, Pleiades; hot pepper varieties: by yield – G-1713; by weight of fruits – Debut, Kozerog, G-1713; by the content of dry matter and vitamin C – Kozerog, G-1713; by vitamin C content – Debut.

Evaluation of garden strawberry varieties against biochemical parameters and genetic aroma determinants

The paper presents the results of a long-term (2015-2020) study into a collection of domestic and foreign strawberry varieties cultivated in the Central Black Region, in terms of biochemical composition (content of soluble solids (SS), sugars, organic acids, ascorbic acid, anthocyanins) and genetic aroma determinants. The varieties with a high SS content (above 12.0%) herewith include Alena, Divnaya, Kupchikha, Olympic hope, Torpedo, Flora; sugars (above 9.0%) – Alena, Lastochka, Olimpiyskaya Nadezhda, Flora, Privlekatelnaya; ascorbic acid (above 80.0 mg/100 g) – Divnaya, Kupchikha, Sudarushka, Festival chamomile; anthocyanins (above 100.0 mg/100 g) – Alena, Fireworks. Among the varieties addressesd, the Kubata, Tsaritsa (domestic selection), Kimberly, Marshall, Red Gauntlet, Vima Tarda (foreign selection) varieties are characterized by a combination of functional alleles of FaOMT and FaFAD1 genes for a complex aroma profile. The selected promising varieties can be used as sources of valuable quality attributes and biochemical composition of fruits.

New source material for improving raspberry assortment in the Central region of Russia

The aim of the research is to search new sources of the main economically valuable traits for further breeding of raspberry. Nineteen previously created selected forms were studied for winter resistance components under controlled conditions, for resistance to major fungal diseases, productivity components, strength and biochemical composition of fruits. The zoned Gusar variety was used as the control. The work was carried out in 2018-2020 according to generally accepted techniques. Artificial freezing of raspberry stems was carried out in the climate chamber TH-6 JEIO TECH. According to the results of the studies, selected forms 8-10х-1, 6-125-4, which have an increased resistance to certain components of winter resistance, have been identified. Hybrids 2-115-1 and 1-188-1 have cumulative resistance to winter damage factors. Based on the integrated resistance of raspberry hybrids to the main fungal diseases, new sources have been revealed: forms 1-124-1, 2-115-1, 2-115-2, 1-111-21, 1-8-2, 2-35-1, 2-90-3, 6-125-4, 3-4-2, 8-10х-1, 4-33-21 and 4-122-2. The degree of their damage did not have a significant influence on winter hardiness, productivity and quality of berries. As the result of study of components of the raspberry productivity, selected forms (1-111-21, 2-90-2 and 2-90-3), forming fruits with an average weight of more than 4.0 g, and genotypes with large and one-dimensional fruits (1-176-21, 2-35-1, 4-33-21, 1-124-1) not growing smaller from picking to picking were identified. The highest potential productivity was noted for selections 2-115-1, 1-111-21, 1-188-1, 4-46-2, 2-90-2 and 2-90-3, capable to form a yield of more than 1.3 kg per bush. The selections 1-124-1, 2-90-2 and 2-90-3 are distinguished by an increased strength of the fruits. They form fruits with a crushing force exceeding 5.0 N, which ensures the safety of integrity and transportability when manually harvested. No complex sources of increased accumulation of biologically active substances have been identified. Genotypes with a high content of individual biochemical substances were selected. The highest accumulation of soluble solids and sugars was noted in the samples 2-90-3, 18-11-4 and 2-115-1. Highest accumulation o the vitamin C was observed in the samples 6-125-4 (59.8 mg/100 g) and 2-90-3 (61.5 mg/100 g). As new sources in breeding to improve the taste characteristics of raspberry, it is necessary to use selected forms 2-90-2, 2-115-1 and 6-125-4, approaching in taste to the standard variety Novost Kuzmina. Selected forms 2-90-2, 2-90-3 and 2-115-1 are new sources in raspberry breeding, combining a complex of economically valuable traits at a high level.

COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE BIOCHEMISTRY OF APPLE FRUITS OF ALTAI VARIETIES AS A SOURCE OF NUTRITIOUS AND BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES

A comparative analysis of the varietal variability of the fruits of 71 varieties of apple trees of Altai selection in terms of biochemical composition, according to generally accepted methods using statistical variation analysis based on long-term research, was carried out. Correlations were revealed between the content of chemical elements depending on other characteristics of the fruit and the period of ripening. The average content of soluble dry matter in fruits is from an average 15.5% in summer varieties to a high 16.2–16.3% in varieties with autumn and winter ripening. On average, the content of total sugars in fruits is high and varies insignificantly from 12.7 to 12.9%, the content of titratable acids in fruits is high – 1.0%. The content of ascorbic acid is higher in fruits of varieties with summer ripening and is 24.0 mg / 100 g, with autumn – 19.6 mg / 100 g, with winter – 22.0 mg / 100 g. As a result of selection for the qualitative improvement of fruits apple trees in Altai revealed a negative correlation of the biochemistry of the fetus, depending on its size for all indicators. Fruits of a significant part of varieties created in Altai have good taste, of which 27 have a sugar-acid index of 15–25. The fruits of the varieties Alpek, Altai Velvet, Altai New Year, Altai ruddy, Altai sweet, Gornoaltayskoe, Zolotaya taiga, Pepinka Altai have a very high sugar content of more than 15%, a high value of the sum of sugars – in fruits of 59 varieties from 10.0 to 14.9%. Varieties with high biochemical characteristics are their sources in breeding for improved biochemical composition of fruits.

Influence of various types of absorbent and mulching materials on the productivity and quality of the harvest of cucumbers in the Forest-steppe of Ukraine

The article presents three year’s data on the influence of various types of absorbent and mulching materials on the productivity of Bettina hybrid cucumber for growing plants on a vertical trellis in the Forest-steppe conditions of Ukraine. The data on the passage of the main phenological phases of growth and development of cucumber plants, biometric parameters, yield and biochemical composition of fruits, correlation and variance analysis of the research results are presented. It was found that all phases of plant growth and development passed faster when the soil was mulched with black plastic wrap and black agro fbre using different types of absorbent. In comparison with the control, water-retaining granules and gel, against the background of the use of mulching materials, contributed to an increase in the height of the main stem, the formation of a larger number of leaves on the plant and the area of their assimilation surface. Among the mulching materials, the best results were obtained with the black flm, and among the types of absorbent - with the gel. The highest marketable yield was obtained from the options for mulching the soil with black plastic wrap using water-retaining granules and gel – 56,4 t/ha and 56,9 t/ha, respectively. The largest mass of the early harvest was provided by the option of mulching with a black flm and applying gel to the soil – 35,9 t/ha. Mulching materials and various types of absorbent have contributed to the increase in the marketability of the crop. However, the largest marketability was in the option of mulching with black flm and the use of water-containing granules – 99,4 %. Under the influence of mulching materials and various types of absorbent, the biochemical composition of cucumber fruits changed. The highest dry matter content was for mulching with black flm and the use of an absorbent – 5,3 %. The most sugary fruits were those with the option of mulching with a flm and using an absorbent in the form of a gel – 2,19 %. The content of nitrates in fruits did not exceed the maximum permissible level. However, their lowest content in fruits was under agro fbre without the use of an absorbent – 52,0 mg/kg. Key words: cucumber, hybrid, vertical trellis, absorbents, mulching materials, biometric indicators, yield, fruit marketability, crop quality.

New technologies of cultivation of watermelon as a key to development of the melon industry

Relevance. The appearance on the market of water-soluble fertilizers, growth regulators, biological products requires a detailed study of these drugs to determine their effectiveness in increasing yields and optimizing costs. Therefore, the issue of developing environmentally friendly elements of the technology for growing varieties of table watermelon of different ripening periods with the use of new types and forms of water-soluble fertilizers becomes urgent.Materials and methods. The object of research is varieties of watermelon of domestic selection of early and medium ripening. The studies were carried out in 2018-2020 on the basis of the Bikovskaya cucurbits breeding experimental station (Bykovskiy district, Volgograd region). The methods of using the preparation Potassium Humate (liquid) were studied: Treatment of plants twice, Soaking the seeds before sowing. The passage of the main periods of plant growth and development, biometric parameters of plants, biochemical composition of fruits and productivity of table watermelon were determined. The purpose of the research: to determine the effectiveness of methods of using potassium humate (liquid) in increasing yields, to reveal their influence on the quality of table watermelon fruits of different ripening periods.Results. The experimental data obtained showed a fairly high efficiency of the use of humic fertilizer in the cultivation of table watermelon both in early-maturing varieties and in varieties of late ripening. The maximum yield of the late-ripening watermelon variety Ikar was obtained when using the preparation Potassium Humate for treating plants – 17.1 t/ha, which is 25.7% more than control. The same method of using the humic preparation was noted as the most promising in the early ripening variety of watermelon Triumph, where the yield exceeded the control values by 21.8% and the method of use was by 18.0% – soaking the seeds before sowing. Studies have determined that the use of the preparation Potassium Humate in the technology of growing table watermelon allows to obtain fruits of good quality with a content of nitrates significantly lower than the maximum permissible concentrations for this culture (MPC – 60 mg/kg).

The content of the main chemical elements in sweet cherry fruits of different ripening periods

The level of biochemical composition of sweet cherry fruits of different ripening periods was investigated. It has been established that the content of chemical elements in sweet cherry fruits depends on a number of factors. Fruits ripening period is listed frstaming the features of the pomological variety. Weather conditions during the formation and ripening of sweet cherry fruits have a signifcant effect on the content of chemicals. The variety Melitopolskaya krapchastaya was revealed to have a high content of dry soluble substances among all the studied varieties. In the group of late-ripening varieties, the smallest difference in the amount of acidifed acids in fruits between varieties is observed. The high content of organic acids was recorded for the Donetsk Ember variety, and the lowest one for the Turquoise variety. On average, for the varieties of different ripening periods, the highest content of organic acids was noted for early ripening varieties, and the lowest one for late ripening varieties. Having considered all the studied varieties as a whole, it can be asserted that the content of titratable acids was the highest in the fruits of the mid-ripening variety Alenushka, in relation to all other varieties; the lowest amount of organic acids was recorded for the late-ripening varieties Amazonka. The sugar content in the fruits of late-ripening sweet cherry varieties exceeded the average values of the groups of early-ripening and mid-ripening varieties. The mid-ripening variety Mirage was characterized by a high content of vitamin C, and the lowest value of this component of the chemical composition was obtained for the early-ripening variety Mlievskaya yellow. Taste qualities and biochemical composition of fruit and berry crops largely depend on the characteristics of the variety and climatic conditions of cultivation.The early ripening varieties Dar Mliyeva and Zoryana received the maximum tasting assessment. In the group of mid-ripening varieties, the Melitopolskaya krapchastaya variety was highly appreciated, and among the late-ripening varieties, the Turyuza variety. Key words: cherry varieties, dry soluble substances, sugars, organic acids, vitamin C, sugar-acid coefcient.

Comprehensive assessment of red currant varieties in Altai

Red currant (Ribes rubrum L.) is a berry crop promising for cultivation in Siberia. The purpose of the work was to study the elements of productivity and biochemical composition of fruits in 17 varieties of R. rubrum of various origins of the VNIISPK breeding. This article presents the results of the study of red currant varieties selected by VNIISPK in the Altai. Most varieties are highly resistant to gall aphids, with the exception of ‘Valentinovka’, ‘Orlovskaya Zvezda’ and ‘Orlovchanka’ - in some years, their damage was noted to a very weak degree. As sources of valuable biochemistry, the following varieties were identified: with a high content of soluble dry substances - Asya, Bayana, Vika, Dar Orla, Marmeladnitsa, Osipovskaya; sugar - Asya, Bayana, Roza; vitamin C - Asora, Asya, Protein, Vika, Marmeladnitsa, sugar-acid index - Asora, Orlovchanka, Roza. The varieties Asora, Asya, Bayana, Valentinovka, Vika, Dana, Dar Orla, Marmeladnitsa, Orlovskaya Zvezda, Orlovchanka, Osipovskaya, and Roza were identified according to the complex of economically useful traits (yield, large-fruited, biochemical composition, resistance to harmful organisms), which can be recommended for cultivation in the conditions of the Altai Ob region.

СЕЛЕКЦИОННЫЕ НОВИНКИ ПЕРЦА ОВОЩНОГО И ОСНОВЫ ХРАНЕНИЯ ПРОДУКЦИИ

The purpose of the study is to study varieties of vegetable pepper of domestic selection: Big change (standard), Orange bull, Snow leopard, yellow Cockatoo and sweet Tooth for a number of economically valuable characteristics. Varietal differences in the biochemical composition of fruits, the timing of crop formation, and productivity were established. Fruits with red and yellow color are in high demand among the population, which is consistent with their richer biochemical composition. The yield of pepper in the conditions of film greenhouses showed a variation in varieties and hybrids in the range of 5.8-7.0 kg / m2 with an average fruit weight of 140-250 g. The varieties belonged to the group of early and medium - ripened varieties, which determines their feasibility for growing both in the open ground and in film greenhouses. The construction of storage facilities with CSG will facilitate import substitution of vegetable products and provide the population with fortified products throughout the year.

Performance of selected mango (Mangifera indica) varieties in West Garo Hills of North-East India

West Garo Hills is not a traditional mango growing region although the agro climatic conditions are conducive for its cultivation. Some local varieties are seen growing in the region which are not qualitatively at par with the commercial varieties grown in other parts of India. Reports on performance of different commercial varieties of mango in this region are negligible. Therefore, considering the nutritional value and export potential of mango fruit and suitability of the region for mango cultivation, an experiment was conducted during 2016-19 to evaluate the performance of three mango varieties Amrapali, Dashehari and Kesar in West Garo Hills of Meghalaya. Morphological characters of tree, leaf, inflorescence and fruits, bio-chemical composition of fruits and yield were recorded. Among the three varieties studied under West Garo Hills condition, variety Amrapali showed the most vigorous growth in terms of tree height, girth and spread (East-West and North-South directions) by registering the highest percent of increase after 1 year, 2 years and 3 years of start of experiment. The pooled values of 2 years revealed the highest leaf area (77.20 cm2), highest yield per tree (21.69 kg/tree), highest yield per hectare (8.69 MT/ha), with fruits of highest vitamin C content (33.62mg/100g pulp), and highest sugars (total sugar of 8.95%, reducing sugar of 3.62% and non-reducing sugar of 5.07%) in variety Amrapali. Variety Kesar produced fruits with highest fruit weight (224.30g), pulp weight (169.34g), pulp:stone ratio (5.95) and pulp% (75.40%), while variety Dashehari produced fruits with highest TSS:acid ratio of 47.99 closely followed by variety Kesar (44.49) and variety Amrapali (42.73).

Assessment of influence of the method of vegetative propagation of varieties of <i>Vaccinium corymbosum</i> L. on the biochemical composition of the fruits

The results of a comparative study of the main characteristics of the biochemical composition of fruits of the same age of generative plants of 5 introduced varieties of V. corymbosum of different ripening dates – early ripening Weymouth, mid-ripening Bluecrop and Concord, late ripening Elizabeth and Atlantic obtained by traditional (stem-cuttings) and microclonal vegetative methods are presented. A significant effect of the propagation method on the biochemical composition of the fruits, the degree of which was determined by the chemical nature of its components and the plant genotype, was established. In the fruits of cloned plants, depending on the genotype, ambiguous changes in the range of 5–40 %, relative to traditional plants, in the content of solids, free organic, ascorbic and hydroxycinnamic acids, soluble sugars and pectin substances, as well as the index of sugar acid index, were revealed. For most varieties, a common trend in the nature of differences between cloned and traditional plants in the accumulation of bioflavonoids was shown, consisting in the increase in the first case of their total number by 5–27 %, including 6–34 % of anthocyanin pigments. The greatest positive effect of the microclonal propagation method on the content of P-vitamins in fruits of late ripening varieties, especially Atlantik, was found, with a 3–6 times lesser degree of similar influence in Weymouth and Concord varieties, against the background of the prevailing negative effect in mid-ripening Bluecrop. With the relative stability of the ratio of the components of the P-vitamin complex of blueberry fruits to the tested propagation methods, significant shifts were revealed in the composition of their anthocyanin complex in cloned plants of early ripening and especially mid-ripening varieties towards a decrease in the proportion of anthocyanins proper and an increase in that of leukoanthocyanins, compared to traditional plants, reaching 1.5–1.6-fold value in Concord variety with the opposite direction of less pronounced shifts in late-ripening varieties.In cloned plants (with the exception of the Bluecrop variety), the integral level of the nutritional and vitamin value of the fruits was found to be 2.6–4.4 times higher than their traditional counterparts by a total of 14 indicators of the biochemical composition when the varieties were arranged in accordance with a decrease in the degree of data differences in the series: Atlantik > Elizabeth > Weymouth > Concord > Bluecrop, in which late ripe varieties of blueberries were characterized by the greatest advantages.

Main results of apple breeding at the Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding

The intensive target work for apple assortment improvement is being carried out at the Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding (VNIISPK). A large interdisciplinary team of researchers takes part in creating cultivars. Promising areas of apple breeding for our institution are: 1. The development of triploid apple cultivars having more regular fruiting, high marketability of fruits and higher autogamy. 2. The development of cultivars immune and highly resistant to scab. 3. The development of triploid cultivars with immunity to scab. 4. Т he development of columnar cultivars for intensive and super intensive orchards. 5. Т he development of apple cultivars with improved biochemical composition of fruits. For the entire period of selection work, artificial pollination in the amount of 5.2 million flowers was carried out, 912 thousand annual apple seedlings were grown, 249 elite seedlings were produced and 54 apple cultivars were created and included in the State Register of breeding achievements admitted for use (zoned). Brief economical and biological descriptions of them are given in this paper. The best diploid apple cultivars Veteran, Orlik, Orlovskoye Polosatoye and Pamyt Voinu as well as triploid cultivars Avgusta, Ministr Kisilev, Orlovsky Partizan, Osipovskoye and Sinap Orlovsky adapted to local conditions are already widely known and introduced into production. Triploid cultivars having immunity to scab Vavilovskoye, Maslovskoye, Rozhdestvenskoye and Yablochny Spas as well as columnar cultivars Vostorg, Girlyanda, Orlovskaya Yesenia, Poezia and Priokskoye are of special interest. The cultivars with improved biochemical composition of fruits are of great interest. The widespread introduction of new promising apple cultivars of the Institute's breeding into industrial plantings will undoubtedly contribute to import substitution of fruit products in Russia.

Influence of meteorological factors on variability of biochemical composition of fruits of introduced species of Ericaceae and Actinidiaceae families in conditions of Belarus

The article describes results of a comparative study conducted in seasons of contrasting hydrothermic regimes of averaged variation coefficients of 14 indexes of biochemical composition of fruits of 4 species of introduced plants from families Ericaceae and Actinidiaceae – O. macrocarpus, V. corymbosum, A. arguta and A. kolomikta. It has been shown that the highest integral resistance of biochemical composition of fruits to the complex impact of meteorological factors among O. macrocarpus varieties is characteristic of the released Stevens variety, the lowest one – of Holistar Red, among V. corymbosum varieties – of Bluejay and Sunrise respectively. In the taxonomic row of A. arguta the highest resistance to abiotic factors is found in the natural form, the lowest one – in Sentjabrskaja variety, in the taxonomic row of A. kolomikta – in Aromatnaja and Sentjabrskaja varieties respectively. The greatest variability in all or most introduced varieties is characteristic of parameters of accumulation in fruits of dry substances, hydroxycinnamic acids, soluble sugars and the total amount of bioflavonoids, as well as the content of pectin substances for both species of Actinidiaceae family. At the same time, O. macrocarpus is characterized by high stability of the content of titrated acids and anthocyanin pigments in fruits, V. corymbosum – of catechins, flavonols and tannins, A. kolomikta – of titrated acids, leucoanthocyanins and catechins. Accordingly, the most distinct dependence on the seasonal hydrothermal regime has been found in O. macrocarpus for its sugar-acid index and the content of catechins in fruits, in V. corymbosum – for that of pectin substances and true anthocyanins, in A. arguta – for catechins content, for A. kolomikta – for that of ascorbic acid and flavonols.