Commercial Apple Varieties Research Articles

Influence of storage on Mal d 1 content in traditional and commercial apple varieties

Influence of storage on Mal d 1 content in traditional and commercial apple varieties

A non-invasive method for phenotyping scab-tolerant apple plants using volatile organic compounds.

One of the most devastating diseases of apples is scab, caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis. Most commercial apple varieties are susceptible to this disease; only a few are resistant. Breeding approaches are being used to develop better apple varieties that are resistant to scab. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contribute greatly to a plant's phenotype, and their emission profile largely depends on the genotype. In the non-destructive phenotyping of plants, VOCs can be used as biomarkers. In this study, we assessed non-destructively the scab tolerance potential of resistant (cv. 'Prima') and susceptible (cv. 'Oregon Spur') apple cultivars by comparing their major leaf VOC compositions and relative proportions. A comparison of the leaf VOC profiles of the two cultivars revealed 16 different VOCs, with cis-3-hexenyl acetate (3HA) emerging as a biomarker of cultivar differences. V. inaequalis growth was significantly inhibited in vitro by 3HA treatment. 3HA was significantly effective in reducing scab symptoms on V. inaequalis-inoculated leaves of 'Oregon Spur.' The resistant cultivar 'Prima' also exhibited higher lipoxygenase (LOX) activity and α-linolenic acid (ALA) levels, suggesting that V. inaequalis resistance is linked to LOX activity and 3HA biosynthesis. This study proposes 3HA as a potential biomarker for rapid non-destructive screening of scab-resistant apple germplasm of 'Prima' based on leaf VOCs.

Influence of Some Fruit Traits on Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella L.) Preference among Apple Varieties in Two Contrasted Climatic Conditions

Codling moth, Cydia pomonella L., is a major pest of pome fruits and walnuts worldwide. Screening the susceptibility of apple varieties to C. pomonella infestation is an important step to develop a sustainable management program against this pest. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore potential correlations between pest damage and several physical (firmness, weight, and diameter), chemical (pH, SSC, and TA), and biochemical (polyphenols) fruit properties collected from two sites with distinctively twelve and seven commercial apple varieties. The study was conducted in two distinct Moroccan regions to highlight whether the traits influencing the insect’s preference could be similar for different varieties under contrasted climates. In both regions, results revealed that the pest damage varied significantly across apple varieties as well as between observation dates. The late and medium maturing varieties had similar damage patterns and were heavily attacked compared to early maturing ones. The preferred varieties were Galaxy Gala, Obro Gala, Golden Smoothee, Black Staymen, and Idared, while the least preferred ones were Anna, Dorsett, and Stark Delicious. Some physical and chemical fruit properties seemed to be associated with the insect behavior, in particular, firmness and pH were positively correlated to pest damage. Moreover, the research suggested that infestations might be influenced by diameter, weight, and polyphenol content of fruits.

Characterization and Quantification of Mal d 1 Isoallergen Profiles and Contents in Traditional and Commercial Apple Varieties by Mass Spectrometry

The apple allergy in Northern Europe is a cross-reaction to the birch pollen allergy. No correlation between the allergenicity of an apple variety and the content of the major apple allergen Mal d 1, a homologue to the Bet v 1 allergen in birch, could be found using ELISA, so far. Therefore, an impact of polyphenols and/or differences in the isoallergen profile are discussed. To allow a more detailed analysis of the Mal d 1 content and the isoallergen profile, a mass spectrometric method was applied to investigate differences in the flesh and peel of 10 traditional varieties and 10 commercial breeds. The data revealed often, but not always, lower Mal d 1 contents in traditional varieties grown in orchard meadows, which was more obvious in the flesh. Differences among the peels were less pronounced. A closer look at the individual isoallergens 1.01, 1.02, 1.03, and 1.06 reveals an increased impact of the minor isoallergens 1.03 and 1.06 on the allergenic potential, since commercial breeds like Braeburn, Santana, and Holstein Cox, which are considered to have reduced allergenic potentials, were characterized by low levels of these isoallergens.

Non-destructive near infrared spectroscopy externally validated using large number sets for creation of robust calibration models enabling prediction of apple firmness

Non-invasive flesh firmness prediction using near infrared spectroscopy has been perfected and validated on three apple varieties. Three novel calibration models were developed following three year's of repeated large-scale sampling of stored commercial apple varieties ‘Gala’, ‘Red Jonaprince’ and ‘Jonagored’. The spectroscopic results were compared directly with those obtained using the invasive method. Increased accuracy of calibration models was achieved with the newly established data collection model. The results exhibited coefficient of determination for calibration, R2, and ratio of prediction to deviation (RPD) in excess of 0.91 and 2.3, respectively, thus enabling excellent prediction of flesh firmness via a non-invasive and fast spectroscopic approach. The highest R2 obtained was 0.94, RPD 2.6, root mean square error of calibration 5.87 N, and root mean square error of cross-validation (internal) 6.75 N for variety ‘Red Jonaprince’. Our complex long-term study provided excellent external validated calibration models and the approach can help developing calibration models for commercial sorting lines using near infrared spectroscopy.

Quantification of soluble solids and individual sugars in apples by Raman spectroscopy: A feasibility study

This study reports the feasibility of using Raman spectroscopy for quantification of soluble solids and individual sugars in apples. Six different commercial apple varieties were measured by Raman spectroscopy at three different steps: 1) Intact apples with skin, 2) apples without skin and 3) juices obtained from apples. Results indicated that it is possible to measure Raman signals to a depth of 8 mm into the apple with a wide area Raman probe. Multivariate calibration models were established to evaluate how well Raman spectra can be used to estimate the quality parameters SSC (%), total sugars, glucose, fructose and sucrose. Estimation accuracy for SSC was comparable with what is achievable with near-infrared spectroscopy: Root mean square error of cross-validation (RMSECV) = 0.66, 0.46 and 0.72 % and coefficients of determination (R2) = 0.70, 0.85 and 0.63 for intact apples, apples without skin and juices, respectively. Sucrose and glucose were well estimated with RMSECV of 2.8, 1.9, 2.1 mg/mL for glucose and 5.8, 3.9 and 3.7 mg/mL for sucrose, for the three sample cases, respectively. Coefficient of determination was higher than 0.82 for all models. Regression coefficients for all calibration models highlighted identifiable Raman bands that could be related to the target sugars.

Molecular, Physico-Chemical, and Sensory Characterization of the Traditional Spanish Apple Variety “Pero de Cehegín”

The “Pero de Cehegín” is an ancient local variety of apple grown in Murcia (Spain). In this study, microsatellites markers showed evidence of a unique profile that has never been reported before in other Spanish apple germplasm collections. Five “Pero de Cehegín” clones were evaluated and compared with two commercial apple varieties, “Fuji” and “Golden Delicious”, to assess its marketing potential. For this, the physical (weight, height, and width of the fruit, moisture content, firmness, and color of the fruit, among others), and chemical (total soluble solids, total acidity, and maturity index) properties of the fruits were evaluated. In addition, the content of bioactive compounds such as total polyphenol content, total antioxidant activity using the ABTS+, DPPH•, and FRAP methods, and the sugar profile were analyzed, and their sensory profile was also evaluated. Physico-chemical differences were found within the “Pero de Cehegín” clones and between the commercial varieties. “Pero de Cehegín” had a high firmness, high total soluble solids, very low total acidity, high FRAP antioxidant capacity, and more sucrose content in comparison with “Fuji” and “Golden Delicious”. These distinctive characteristics and the good appearance of the fruit make this variety a marketable product that will increase the offering of traditional, local, but underutilized fruit varieties.

Peel of Traditional Apple Varieties as a Great Source of Bioactive Compounds: Extraction by Micro-Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion.

Micro matrix solid phase dispersion (micro-MSPD) was optimized by response surface methodology for the extraction of polyphenols from the peel of twelve traditional and eight commercial apple varieties grown in Croatia. The optimized micro-MSPD procedure includes the use of 0.2 g of sample, 0.8 g of dispersant, a 57% solution of methanol in water as the solvent and 5 mL of extract volume. The total polyphenolic index (TPI) and antioxidant activity (AA) were measured by spectrophotometric assays. Eighteen polyphenolic compounds were identified in all investigated apples by HPLC-DAD and LC-(ESI)-MS. The peel of traditional apple varieties had higher contents of all investigated polyphenols. Calculated relative contribution of polyphenol groups indicated non-flavonoids (28.6%) and flavanols (46.2%) as the major contributors to the total polyphenolic content in traditional and commercial apple varieties, respectively. The most abundant polyphenol in traditional apple peel was chlorogenic acid, procyanidin B2 and epicatechin (1143 ± 755 µg/g dw, 954 ± 343 µg/g dw and 560 ± 362 µg/g dw, respectively). The peel of varieties ‘Apistar’, ‘Bobovac’ and ‘Božićnica’ could be highlighted as an important source of polyphenols.

Preliminary evaluation of quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) fruit as extraction source of antioxidant phytoconstituents for nutraceutical and functional food applications

Quince (Cydonia oblonga) fruits can be considered as starting material for the extraction of health-promoting phytochemicals, to be exploited in food and nutraceuticals. In the present work, liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and tandem mass spectrometry analysis allowed the study of the phytochemical composition of quince fruits and to compare it with those of six commercial apple varieties. The distribution and quantification of secondary metabolites in peel and pulp were studied and compared with six commercial apple varieties. Furthermore the in vitro antioxidant activity was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Quince fruit presented significant amounts of shikimic and quinic acid derivatives, as well as flavonoids and procyanidins. Compared with apple, quince fruit composition was characterized by the presence of 4-caffeoylshikimic acid, 4-caffeoyl quinic acid, quercetin-3,7-diglucoside, kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside and kaempferol-7-O-glucoside, and the dihydrochalcones were not detectable. The peel showed the highest contents of phenolics, whereas 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid was the most abundant compound in the quince pulp. The Pearson correlation index was calculated considering the quantitative amount of the phenolic constituents and the radical scavenging activity toward DPPH· both for peel and pulp extracts. This study highlighted the presence of significant amounts of valuable secondary metabolites in quince fruit, in particular the procyanidins and caffeoyl esters with shikimic and quinic acid. Notably, owing to the higher content in phenolic compounds and the stronger antioxidant capacity compared with the other fruits considered, the use of C. oblonga as a source of antioxidant can be valuable in nutraceuticals, revealing new possible applications of quince fruit. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of Commercial Apple Varieties on Human Gut Microbiota Composition and Metabolic Output Using an In Vitro Colonic Model.

Apples are a rich source of polyphenols and fiber. A major proportion of apple polyphenols escape absorption in the small intestine and together with non-digestible polysaccharides reach the colon, where they can serve as substrates for bacterial fermentation. Animal studies suggest a synergistic interaction between apple polyphenols and the soluble fiber pectin; however, the effects of whole apples on human gut microbiota are less extensively studied. Three commercial apple varieties—Renetta Canada, Golden Delicious and Pink Lady—were digested and fermented in vitro using a batch culture colonic model (pH 5.5–6.0, 37 °C) inoculated with feces from three healthy donors. Inulin and cellulose were used as a readily and a poorly fermentable plant fiber, respectively. Fecal microbiota composition was measured by 16S rRNA gene Illumina MiSeq sequencing (V3-V4 region) and Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and polyphenol microbial metabolites were determined. The three apple varieties significantly changed bacterial diversity, increased Actinobacteria relative abundance, acetate, propionate and total SCFAs (p < 0.05). Renetta Canada and Golden Delicious significantly decreased Bacteroidetes abundance and increased Proteobacteria proportion and bifidobacteria population (p < 0.05). Renetta Canada also increased Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, butyrate levels and polyphenol microbial metabolites (p < 0.05). Together, these data suggest that apples, particularly Renetta Canada, can induce substantial changes in microbiota composition and metabolic activity in vitro, which could be associated with potential benefits to human health. Human intervention studies are necessary to confirm these data and potential beneficial effects.

APPLICATION OF SENSORY, NUTRACEUTICAL AND GENETIC TECHNIQUES TO CREATE A QUALITY PROFILE OF ANCIENT APPLE CULTIVARS

ABSTRACTWith the diffusion of commercial apple varieties since the second half of the last century, hundreds of different local cultivars rapidly disappeared from orchards in Italy, and the particular quality attributes of these fruits are still at risk of being lost today. The aim of this research was to use sensory, nutritional and genetic techniques in order to define the overall quality of fruits from ancient apple cultivars grown in Northern Italy. Cluster analysis arranged the 10 genotypes into five groups; in most cases, the analyzed cultivars demonstrated higher sensory and nutritional qualities than the control (Golden Delicious cv). The cultivars showed higher values of total polyphenolic compounds and a stronger antioxidant activity. The vitamin C content also differed from the control. The sensory analysis, performed by the Fruit Tasters Italian Organization, was an effective characterization tool and genetic analysis further helped to characterize the identity of these interesting cultivars.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe characterization and valorization of old apple cultivars are essential to avoid loss of potentially useful germplasm. The reduction of biodiversity of cultivars found in agriculture could lead to problems such as higher susceptibility to widespread outbreaks of plant diseases and pests, and at the same time, the loss of precious source of nutrients. The conservation of apple biodiversity is valuable in order to maintain the gene pool of the species and to introduce superior quality traits into apple‐breeding programs.

Identification of wild apple germplasm (Malus spp.) accessions with resistance to the postharvest decay pathogens Penicillium expansum and Colletotrichum acutatum

With 3 figures and 4 tables Abstract Penicillium expansum and Colletotrichum acutatum cause blue mould and bitter rot of apples during storage which results in significant economic losses. Resistance to these pathogens in commercial apple cultivars has not been documented in the literature. An apple germplasm collection, from the centre of origin in Kazakhstan, is maintained in Geneva, New York. This collection represents a more diverse apple gene pool than commercial cultivars and was evaluated for resistance to the pathogens that cause blue mould and bitter rot. Resistance reactions were skewed towards susceptibility for both fungi and comprised the majority of accessions examined. However, resistance to P. expansum was confirmed in select accessions over multiple years. Maturation patterns and quality indices for soluble solids and acidity, which may also affect susceptibility, were highly variable and represent the genetic diversity of the germplasm collection. Resistance in four accessions to C. acutatum and two accessions resistant to both P. expansum and C. acutatum are reported here for the first time. Data from this study will serve as a foundation for conventional apple breeding programmes and molecular genetics investigations to provide resistance against blue mould and bitter rot in commercial apple varieties.

Mapping of quantitative trait loci for fire blight resistance in the apple cultivars ‘Florina’ and ‘Nova Easygro’

Fire blight is a devastating bacterial disease of rosaceous plants. Its damage to apple production is a major concern, since no existing control option has proven to be completely effective. Some commercial apple varieties, such as 'Florina' and 'Nova Easygro', exhibit a consistent level of resistance to fire blight. In this study, we used an F1 progeny of 'Florina'× 'Nova Easygro' to build parental genetic maps and identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) related to fire blight resistance. Linkage maps were constructed using a set of microsatellites and enriched with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. In parallel, progeny plants were artificially inoculated with Erwinia amylovora strain CFBP 1430 in a quarantine glasshouse. Shoot length measured 7days after inoculation (DAI) and lesion length measured 7 and 14 DAI were used to calculate the lesion length as a percentage of the shoot length (PLL1 and PLL2, respectively). Percent lesion length data were log10-transformed (log10(PLL)) and used to perform the Kruskal-Wallis test, interval mapping (IM), and multiple QTL mapping (MQM). Two significant fire blight resistance QTLs were detected in 'Florina'. One QTL was mapped on linkage group 10 by IM and MQM; it explained 17.9% and 15.3% of the phenotypic variation by MQM with log10(PLL1) and log10(PLL2) data, respectively. A second QTL was identified on linkage group 5 by MQM with log10(PLL2) data; it explained 10.1% of the phenotypic variation. Genotyping the plants of 'Florina' pedigree with the microsatellites flanking the QTLs showed that the QTLs on linkage groups 5 and 10 were inherited from 'Jonathan' and 'Starking' (a 'Red Delicious' sport mutation), respectively. Other putative QTLs (defined as QTLs with LOD scores above the chromosomal threshold and below the genome-wide threshold) were detected by IM on linkage groups 5 and 9 of 'Nova Easygro'.

Identification of an RAPD Marker Linked to theVfGene for Scab Resistance in Apples

AbstractResistance toV. inaequalis, derived from the small‐fruited speciesMalus floribunda821, is determined by a major dominant gene, assigned asVf.The material used in this paper is based on the introgression of theVfgene fromM. floribundainto commercial apple varieties. Comparing RAPD patterns of a genomic DNA sample ofM. floribundawith a pooled DNA sample of resistant individuals and that of 10 susceptible commercial apple varieties, fragments were identified which are derived fromM. floribunda.One of them, the fragment OPD20/600, proved to be linked to theVfgene with a recombination value of about 0.20—0.25. It is the first DNA marker so far for scab resistance.

Identification of a RAPD marker linked to the Vf gene for scab resistance in apples

Apple scab, caused byVenturia inaequalis (Cke.) Wint., is the most serious disease of apple trees in many areas of the world. Resistance toV. inaequalis, derived from the small fruited speciesMalusfloribunda 821, is determined by a major dominant geneVf. Our objective was focused on the identification of RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) markers linked to theVf gene. The approach in this paper is based on the introgression of theVf gene fromM. floribunda into commercial varieties. Comparing RAPD patterns of a genomic DNA sample ofM. floribunda with a pooled DNA sample of resistant individuals and that of 10 susceptible commercial apple varieties, we identified fragments which are derived fromM. floribunda. One of them,OPD20/600, proved to be linked to theVf gene by cosegregation analysis with two backcross progenies. It is the first DNA marker so far for the scab resistance.

Leaf peroxidase and catechol oxidase polymorphism and the identification of commercial apple varieties

Abstract Isozyme electrophoresis, using poly‐acrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis has been applied to leaf extracts from 12 commercial apple varieties. The oxidative enzymes peroxidase and catechol oxidase show sufficient polymorphism to allow unique identification of most of the varieties tested.

Phenology and Host Relations of the Codling Moth in a Three-Generation Climate12

Seasonal population movement of Laspeyresia pomonella (L.) on unsprayed apple and pear trees were traced with the help of band traps, emergence cages, and a BL trap. The 1st generation was well synchronised with pear and early local apple, but not with introduced commercial apple varieties. Pears were harvested before the main onset of diapause at the end of July. The mean percent of infested fruit per tree was 69.5 and 57.0 for ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Orleans’ apple varieties, respectively, and the difference was highly significant. The coefficient of association for percent infested fruit on numbers of fruit per tree was 0.350 and 0.187 for Golden Delicious and Orleans, respectively. The mean relation of donor fruits to mature larvae trapped per tree was 0.5 and 0.6, and the coefficient of association between numbers of donor fruits and percent larvae trapped per tree was −0.11 and 0.29 for Golden Delicious and Orleans, respectively.

Incompatibility in the cross-pollination of apple varieties and their hybrids

A number of cross-pollination tests were carried out from 1959 to 1961 among 20 commercial apple varieties and 31 of their hybrids bred at our Station.Unfruitfulness was observed in the crosses between hybrids and their parents. The hybrid G. Y 44 or G. Y 53 (G. Y shows a hybrid obtained from the cross between Golden Delicious (_??_) and Yellow Newtown (_??_)) did not pollinize Yellow Newtown satisfactorily and the same was true of the reciprocal pollination. G. Y 44 also did not well pollinize G. Y 53. Pollination between either of these hybrids and Golden Delicious did not show unfruitfulness. Dr. KIKUCHI found in Japanese pear such an unfruitfulness in the cross-pollination between hybrids and their father. Most pear hybrids which were incompatible to their father were incompatible each other too. He called this phenomenon“patroclinal incompatibility”.Pollination was unsuccessful in the following pairs of the hybrids raised from the same parents: M. W 107 & M. W 30 (the cross between McIntosh and Worcester Pearmain); J. G 84 & J. G 51 (Jonathan× Golden Delicious); J. W 50 & J. W 32 (Jonathan× Worcester Pearmain) and R. D 329 & R. D 125 (Ralls× Delicious).Unfruitfulness was often observed in the crossing between certain hybrids having either same mother or father. Those pairs were as follows: Megumi (R. J) & J. G 51; Red Gold (G. D) & J. G 51. This phenomenon seems to be explained by the hypothesis of oppositional factors.Any cross between hybrids which descended from different parents is compatible each other, excepting a case in which R. J 259 (Ralls×Jonathan) pollinated with Red Gold bore only a few fruits for two successive years.Several hybrids and varieties poorly pollinized Early Red Bird variety. But this seemed to be caused by a certain mechanism other than cross- incompatibility, because in the reciprocal pollination high fruit set resulted.Pollen of any variety or hybrid employed in this work germinated well on artificial medium. Even the pollen of J. G 51 which failed to pollinize well Megumi and Red Gold, germinated normally. Yellow Newton pollinated by G. Y 44 and J. G 84 pollinated by J. G 51 set few fruits. But the seeds obtained from these fruits germinated well in sand bed and resulted in healthy seedlings.The hybrid seedlings obtained in this work had often three cotyledons. Frequency of such seedlings varied with cross-combinations. It was especially high in the crossing in which Orei was used as a female parent.

The Effect of Some Apple Viruses on the Growth ofMalusSpecies and Varieties

SummaryThe inoculation of 40 varieties of ornamental crab apple with viruses commonly carried latently in commercial apple varieties and rootstocks killed 10 of the varieties and impaired the growth of 27 others ; only 3 were unaffected. The ornamental crabs showed varying sensitivity to chlorotic leaf spot, and platycarpa dwarf viruses. The main symptoms were line and spot patterns and distortion of the leaves, tip die-back, bark necrosis and stunting.Viruses latent in some commercial apple rootstocks appear to be the main reason for the incompatibility between these stocks and the ornamental crabs. It is assumed that the same viruses also affect the compatibility of commercial apple varieties worked on ornamental crab seedlings.

VENTURIA INAEQUALIS (CKE.) WINT. XIII. PATHOGENICITY OF INDUCED BIOCHEMICAL MUTANTS

EARLIER PAPERS in this series and related papers have shown that wild-type lines of Venturia inaequalis (Cke.) Wint. differed in their pathogenicity to commercial apple varieties (Keitt and Palmiter, 1938; Keitt and Langford, 1941; Keitt et al., 1943, 1948; Boone and Keitt, 1957). Two main types of pathogenic reaction were reported; namely, (typically pathogenic with abundant sporulation of the fungus) and (nonor only slightly pathogenic with sporulation lacking or very sparse). It was shown that one gene conditioned the lesion reaction and an allele conditioned the fleck reaction with a given variety or group of varieties and that genes at other loci similarly controlled pathogenicity to other varieties or groups. The physico-chemical mechanisms of pathogenicity controlled by these genes are not yet known. One approach to elucidation of the mechanisms of pathogenicity has been through study of the role of nutrition of the fungus in the host-parasite relationship. Studies have been made of the nutrition in vitro of wild-type lines of V. inaequalis (Leben and Keitt, 1948; Pelletier and Keitt, 1954). The accomplishments of Beadle and associates (Beadle, 1945a, 1945b) and of others (cf. Catcheside, 1951) in genetic and physiologic studies with induced biochemical mutants of Neurospora suggested application of similar techniques to Venturia. Many biochemical mutants were induced in order that their genetic and nutritional changes might be studied in relation to pathogenicity (Boone et al., 1956; Keitt and Boone, 1954).