Fruit Cracking Research Articles

Combined Transcriptome- and Proteome-based Analyses for Mining of Genes Associated with Fruit Cracking in Chinese Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.)

Combined Transcriptome- and Proteome-based Analyses for Mining of Genes Associated with Fruit Cracking in Chinese Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.)

Evaluation of drought tolerance in three commercial pomegranate cultivars using photosynthetic pigments, yield parameters and biochemical traits as biomarkers

Drought stress during the ripening phenological period has adverse effects on pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit productivity, characteristics and composition, depending on the drought severity and specific cultivar. This fact underlines the importance of understanding the physiological and biochemical responses of pomegranate under drought stress to improve the quality of fruits. The responses of three commercial Iranian cultivars (‘Malase Saveh’, ‘Mikhosh’ and ‘Rabab-Neyriz’) to slight, moderate or intense drought stress were evaluated, considering yield-related (fruit yield, number of fruits per tree, fruit weight and fruit cracking), metabolite [glucose, fructose, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity, total phenolics (TPC), ellagic acid, total anthocyanins (TAC), abscisic acid (ABA), indole acetic acid (IAA), proline, ascorbic (Asc) and carboxylic acids], and physiological parameters (oxidative stress indexes and activities of key antioxidant enzymes in leaves). Significant decreases in fruit yield (58–68%), number of fruits per tree (39–44%), fruit weight (30–41%), and leaf photosynthetic pigments (23–39%) were observed among cultivars in response to intense drought. On the other hand, significant increases in the levels of ABA, IAA, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), as well as the activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) antioxidant enzymes were observed in the leaves of all cultivars under intense drought stress. With respect to fruit juice quality, intense drought caused a considerable decrease in the contents of sugars, TAC, TPC, ellagic acid, Asc, TSS, and TA relative to control conditions, while carboxylic acids increased. Slight drought caused small increases in the concentrations of sugars, TPC and ellagic acid in juice. The ‘Malase Saveh’ cultivar showed a better adaptive response to drought stress than the ‘Rabab-e-Neyriz’ and ‘Mikhosh’ ones, suggesting that this pomegranate cultivar could be used in breeding programs to develop new ones with beneficial water stress-adaptive traits and better fruit quality.

Thermal-RGB imagery and in-field weather sensing derived sweet cherry wetness prediction model

Rain-induced cracking of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) fruit causes substantial economic loss to tree fruit growers annually. Increased fruit surface wetness triggers absorption of water in maturing fruits and leads to fruit cracking. This study was undertaken to develop and evaluate thermal-RGB imagery and in-field weather sensing derived wetness prediction models as tools to help mitigate cracking. We developed two cultivar-specific cherry wetness prediction models, one with only the weather data and other combined with the imagery data derived fruit surface temperature (FST). The suitability and accuracy of such models was validated for two cherry cultivars (cv. ‘Selah’ and ‘Skeena’). The FST and weather data derived model indicated an improved wetness prediction for both the cultivars. Strong relations (R2 = 0.80 and 0.86) and marginal prediction errors (Root Mean Squared Error = 8.7% and 3.5%) were observed between measured and predicted wetness for ‘Selah’ and ‘Skeena’ cultivars, respectively. However, weaker relations (R2= 0.66 and 0.53) were observed, when a model for a particular cultivar was validated against other cultivar, indicating the need of cultivar specific models. Such models can be integrated with a decision support system and crop protection (e.g. rainwater removal, chemical spraying) techniques, for improved crop loss management.

Preharvest Foliar Salicylic Acid Sprays Reduce Cracking of Fig Fruit at Harvest

Peel cracking and ostiole-end splitting (collectively termed cracking) are common disorders in ripe fig fruit, downgrading fruit quality and thus limiting marketability. This two-year field study addressed the possibility of alleviating cracking at harvest by two foliar salicylic acid (SA) sprays prior to harvest (8 and 5 d). Three SA concentrations (0, 1, and 2 mM) were employed in the first year, and based on the obtained results two (0 and 2 mM) in the second year. A local variety (‘Vasilika’) with excellent organoleptic profile, and high sensitivity to cracking was evaluated. Fruit was harvested at commercial maturity. Fruit marketability was mainly based on the incidence and severity of cracking. Fruit weight, peel color, flesh total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), and pH were estimated for fig quality. The contents of total anthocyanins (TAN), cyanidin-3-rutinoside (c-3-rut; the major anthocyanin in fig), and the expression of four genes coding for regulatory enzymes (phenylalanine ammonia lyase, anthocyanidin synthase, UDP-flavonoid glucosyl transferase 1, and UDP-flavonoid glucosyl transferase 2) of the phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway were also determined in the peel. Preharvest SA application (2 mM) increased the percentage of fruit without cracking (sound fruit) by 1.4–2.6-fold, and of marketable fruit (sound and slightly cracked) by 2-fold. SA application (2 mM) was associated with increased flesh TSS and TA, as well as with decreased flesh pH and peel red coloration in stripe. The treatment (2 mM SA) decreased both TAN and c-3-rut contents, which were highly associated (r = 0.978). Responses of transcription level of the four genes to SA application varied, and did not correlate with the other variables in the study. In conclusion, SA appears to be a low-cost and environmentally-safe agent for improving fig fruit quality and marketability, and facilitates harvesting and postharvest management of figs.

Interactive Impacts of Plant Growth Regulators And Fertigation on Quality of Pomegranate (Punica Granatum L.) In Sub-Humid Agro Ecological Zone of Rajasthan

Individual and interaction effects of plant growth regulators and fertigation on quality of pomegranate were investigated. Maximum mean polar diameter (9.59 cm), equatorial diameter (8.10 cm), fruit weight (206.06 g),fruit volume (190.86 cc), number of arils per fruit (416.81), aril weight per fruit (146.35 g), weight of 100 arils (35.86 g) and aril per cent (70.92 %) along with minimum specific gravity (1.090), rind thickness (5.15 mm), rind per cent (29.09%) and fruit cracking (5.58%) were recorded in F2 (100 per cent RDF through fertigation). Similarly, spray of 100 ppm NAA (N2) and 250 ppm ethrel (E2) significantly influenced the above characteristics of fruit. Treatment combination of 100 ppm NAA + 150 ppm ethrel + 100% RDF through fertigation (N2E1F2) gave better quality fruit over other treatments including control. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(3): 623-631, 2021 (September)

Genetic variation in melon (Cucumis melo L.) landraces and wild relatives of Karnataka state of southern India

AbstractMelon (Cucumis meloL.) is an economically important vegetable crop worldwide. Karnataka state of southern India is rich in melon landraces and wild relatives, which are potential sources of genetic diversity for crop improvement. Here we report on the collection, characterization and documentation of previously unexplored landrace and wild material to broaden the availability of this genetic diversity for use in melon improvement. Accessions of botanical groups,momordica,kachri,chandalak,reticulatus,acidulusandindicus, intermediate forms ofacidulusandmomordica, and three melons of an unknown group were sourced directly from farmers of eight agro-ecological regions. Twenty-three representative melon landraces and wild relatives, along with four reference varieties of different botanical groups, were evaluated for agronomic traits during the year 2016. Very wide and distinctive genetic variations were observed among the melon accessions for ovary characters, sex expression, days taken to first fruit maturity, external and internal fruit traits, and fruit cracking (splitting). The remarkable variability displayed among the melon accessions as observed from the study demonstrates the importance of them as a valuable genetic reservoir for melon improvement.

Canopy Spraying of Abscisic Acid to Improve Fruit Quality of Different Sweet Cherry Cultivars

Abscisic acid (ABA) plays a major role in promoting ripening in sweet cherry, a non-climacteric fruit. Exogenous application of ABA has been performed to study fruit ripening and cracking, but this growth regulator is not used for commercial production. To determine the potential of this growth regulator to improve sweet cherry fruit quality, ABA canopy spraying was assayed in four cultivars. Canopy spraying of S-ABA significantly: (1) enhanced sweet cherry fruit color in ‘Glenred’, ‘Lapins’ and ‘Bing’ cultivars, but not in ‘Royal Rainier’ (a bi-colored cultivar), and (2) decreased fruit size and firmness in ‘Lapins’, ‘Bing’ and ‘Royal Rainier’. Seasonally reproducible effects were seen in ‘Lapins’ (mid/late-maturing) but not in ‘Glenred’ (early-maturing). Canopy spraying of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) decreased color and increased fruit size in ‘Lapins’, but not in ‘Glenred’. Direct application of ABA on fruits attached to the tree, without application to the foliage, increased ‘Lapins’ fruit color without reducing size. These results suggest a localized fruit response to exogenous ABA application on fruit color development, but that a decrease in fruit size may be due to the effects of exogenous ABA on the tree canopy foliage.

Physiological disorders of selected Citrus fruit species in Sri Lanka and their effect on fruit quality

PurposeThis study was conducted to identify the physiological disorders and their symptoms of selected Citrus fruit species (C. sinensis, C. limon and C. crenatifolia). Furthermore, it was aimed to determine whether physicochemical and sensory properties were affected by physiological disorders.Research methodCitrus fruits with physiological disorderswere observed separately for visible changes and characters were recorded and photographed. Moreover, Citrus fruits with physiological disorders were analyzed for physicochemical and sensory properties.FindingsMany physiological disorders were recorded from three Citrus fruit species including chilling injury, sun burn, stem-end rind breakdown, oleocellosis, rind disorder, puff and crease, granulation, wind injury, peteca, fruit splitting and fruit cracking. Based on the overall result of sensory analysis, it can be concluded that most of the physiological disorders in studied Citrus species appear on the peel but not adversely affect the edible internal portion of the fruits. Physicochemical properties of C. limon are not adversely affected by physiological disorders whereas C. sinensis and C. crenatifolia are affected by physiological disorders.Limitations: Availability of selected Citrus fruit species throughout the year is limited due to their seasonality.Originality/Value: This study provides novel information about the physiological disorders of some Citrus species in Sri Lanka and other parts of Asia and a future potential exists in controlling these disorders to provide healthy and quality fruits to the market.

Effect of Plant Growth Regulators and Micro-nutrients on Vegetative Growth, Flowering and Yield Attributes of Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)

The experiment was conducted to observe the effect of plant growth regulators (GA3 and NAA) and micro-nutrients (ZnSO4 and Borax) on vegetative growth, flowering and yield attributes of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.). ZnSO4 applied @ 0.4% resulted in maximum per cent increase in plant height and canopy spread, i.e. 5.78% and 6.65% respectively. Whereas, application of Borax @ 0.4% exhibited maximum per cent increase in plant girth (8.72%). NAA @ 2.5 ppm was effective in improving the flowering parameters of litchi. With respect to physical parameters of fruit and yield component, application of borax @ 0.4% resulted in maximum fruit set (43.76%), number of fruits per tree (1128.67), fruit yield (25.11 kg/tree), fruit weight (22.24 g), aril weight (15.65 g) and minimum fruit cracking (5.08%). Lowest fruit drop percentage (60.91%) was however caused by application of ZnSO4 @ 0.4%.

Fruit cracking: a review

Fruit cracking is a common physiological disease. Many fruits such as tomato, sweet cherry, apple, jujube, pomegranate, and litchi are liable to crack, causing considerable economic loss and agricultural resources waste. The mechanisms of fruit cracking are comprehensive. Some correlations have been observed between susceptibility of fruit cracking and some fruit traits (genetic, fruit size, fruit shape, fruit growth rate, water content, fruit skin characteristics, related gene expression, etc). Also, environmental condition (temperature, light, rainfall, etc) and orchard management (irrigation, sun-shade, mineral, growth regulator, etc) can influence fruit cracking. Here, progress in studies on fruit cracking is reviewed to provide a reference for prevention and control of fruit cracking.

The efficacy of acetylsalicylic acid, spermidine and calcium preharvest foliar spray applications on yield efficiency, incidence of physiological disorders and shelf-life performance of loquat fruit

The effect of preharvest foliar spray applications at fruit colour breaker stage with acetylsalicylic acid (synthetic salicylate), spermidine (polyamine), their combination and a commercial calcium supplement on loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl cv. ‘Karantoki’) fruit at successive harvests and subsequently during maintenance at room temperature (shelf-life) for 3 and 6 days respectively, were investigated. Yield efficiency, qualitative attributes, textural properties and the incidence of physiological disorders, namely purple spot and fruit cracking, were determined. Loquat fruit quality parameters were affected by spraying treatments, harvesting day and shelf-life periods applied. Acetylsalicylic acid is recommended as an efficient and cost-effective treatment that needs to be further explored towards production of loquat fruit with enhanced quality properties. However, spermidine application alone, or in combination with acetylsalicylic acid, did not show any beneficial and/or synergistic effect on loquat fruit quality parameters to justify its application. All foliar applications did not affect fruit growth and yield efficiency. The current study shed some light on the potential use of foliar spraying with acetylsalicylic acid, alone or in combination with a calcium supplement, towards enhancement of fruit quality properties of an added value product as loquat. To this aim, further studies need to be implemented to test their efficacy under different environmental conditions that may accelerate the incidence of physiological disorders and/or multiple applications over the growing season.

Brassinosteroids Application Responses in Fruit Crops – A Review

Brassinsteroids (BRs) are a class of novel plant hormones gaining importance as potential allies of agricultural development worldwide. Research findings on influences of exogenous BRs application on various aspects of growth and development like vegetative growth, flowering, fruit set, fruit growth, ripening, storage, and tolerance to various biotic and abiotic stresses in fruit plants’ have been reviewed and discussed. The molecular or biochemical aspects of BRs responses to modulate growth and productivity by activating or withholding enzymatic reaction of different biochemical pathways of fruit plants have been elaborated. BRs are involved in ripening and fruit quality development of climacteric and non-climacteric fruits; as per reports of many researchers, they improve fruit color, phenolics, anti-oxidant activities and post-harvest life of many fruits. Fruit cracking in litchi has been found to be significantly reduced due to BRs application. This group of plant hormones possess the capacity to negate genetoxicity and pesticidal residues in many horticultural crops; it reflects the extension of their uses in producing consumer-friendly fruits through BRs application. One of the biggest advantages of BRs application is controlling favorable plant responses under abiotic and biotic stresses; plants have been reported to manage these stresses through modifications in various gene expressions and physiological processes under the influence of the BRs. The need for in-depth studies has been speculated for optimizing the concentration of BRs application together with the standardization of critical stages for harnessing the benefit of quality orchard productivity under varied growing conditions.

Study on the Effect Difference of Two Kinds of Control Techniques on Cracking Fruit of Qingcui Plum

In this experiment, Qingcui plum in Xuanhan County of Dazhou City was used as the material. Aiming at the problem of fruit cracking, the cracking rate of different prevention measures was investigated by surface mulching, root irrigation, and foliar spraying of three different Ca fertilizers. The cell growth rate and cell wall composition were determined. The results showed that surface mulching and foliar spraying had significant effects on reducing fruit cracking rate; root irrigation greatly aggravating fruit cracking; the effect of foliar spraying calcium glycol was significantly better than that of foliar spraying calcium nitrate and calcium amino acid. During the second rapid fruit expansion period, the growth rate of pulp cells was always higher than that of pericarp cells, the pectin content of the fruit showed a downward trend, and the pectin content of the cracked fruit was significantly lower than that of the normal fruit; the cellulose content of the cracked fruit was significantly lower than that of the normal fruit. Therefore, the fruit cracking may be caused by the uncoordinated growth of pulp and peel, and the lack of pectin and cellulose.

Multi-year analyses on three populations reveal the first stable QTLs for tolerance to rain-induced fruit cracking in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.)

Rain-induced fruit cracking is a major problem in sweet cherry cultivation. Basic research has been conducted to disentangle the physiological and mechanistic bases of this complex phenomenon, whereas genetic studies have lagged behind. The objective of this work was to disentangle the genetic determinism of rain-induced fruit cracking. We hypothesized that a large genetic variation would be revealed, by visual field observations conducted on mapping populations derived from well-contrasted cultivars for cracking tolerance. Three populations were evaluated over 7–8 years by estimating the proportion of cracked fruits for each genotype at maturity, at three different areas of the sweet cherry fruit: pistillar end, stem end, and fruit side. An original approach was adopted to integrate, within simple linear models, covariates potentially related to cracking, such as rainfall accumulation before harvest, fruit weight, and firmness. We found the first stable quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for cherry fruit cracking, explaining percentages of phenotypic variance above 20%, for each of these three types of cracking tolerance, in different linkage groups, confirming the high complexity of this trait. For these and other QTLs, further analyses suggested the existence of at least two-linked QTLs in each linkage group, some of which showed confidence intervals close to 5 cM. These promising results open the possibility of developing marker-assisted selection strategies to select cracking-tolerant sweet cherry cultivars. Further studies are needed to confirm the stability of the reported QTLs over different genetic backgrounds and environments and to narrow down the QTL confidence intervals, allowing the exploration of underlying candidate genes.

Advances in Mechanisms and Omics Pertaining to Fruit Cracking in Horticultural Plants

Fruit cracking is a physiological disease that occurs during fruit development, which limits the quality and marketability of the fruit and causes great economic losses. Fruit cracking is affected by physiological, genetic and environmental factors. In this paper, the mechanism of fruit cracking was elaborated from cutin and cell wall, especially the gene families related to cell wall metabolism, including the polygalacturonase (PG) gene family, xylologlucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH) gene family and expansin gene family. In addition, due to the advancement of high-throughput sequencing technology, an increasing number of horticultural plants have completed genome sequencing. This paper expounds the application of omics, including transcriptome, proteome, metabolomics and integrative omics in fruit cracking. The measures to reduce fruit cracking include using plastic rain covers and bagging, and spraying mineral and plant growth regulators. In this paper, the mechanisms of fruit cracking are reviewed at the molecular level, and the problems needing to be solved in fruit cracking research are put forward.

Causes of fruit cracking in the era of climate change. A review

The objective of this review was to report on advances in environmental, cultural, and physiological aspects of fleshy fruit cracking to reduce or avoid this disorder, which affects many fruit species. Cracking is a physiological disorder that limits the production and quality of fleshy fruits because it affects the exocarp and mesocarp, especially with climate change and variability. Fruit cracking is generated by external factors (agronomic and environmental) and internal factors, several of which require exhaustive study. The incidence of cracking varies widely according to climatic characteristics during fruit development, different fruit species and varieties, growth sites, and crop management. This physiological disorder is aggravated by increases in rain intensity, especially after a dry season or in areas with increased temperatures. Knowledge on causes of cracking has generated management strategies that involve genetic improvement, ecophysiological conditions, agronomic practices such as pruning, irrigation, and fertilization (mainly with Ca, Mg, B, and K), applications of plant growth regulators, and use of plastic covers, etc. For several fruit trees, these strategies are effective, but in species such as the cape gooseberry, cracking remains without a full explanation or effective management.

Transcriptome and metabolite profiling reveal that spraying calcium fertilizer reduces grape berry cracking by modulating the flavonoid biosynthetic metabolic pathway

Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most widely cultivated fruit crops globally. Fruit cracking during fruit growth and development severely affects yield and quality, resulting in significant economic losses. Currently, calcium fertilizer application is used to prevent berry cracking. However, the mechanisms by which calcium fertilizer treatment reduces berry cracking are poorly understood. To explore this, transcriptomics and metabolomics were used to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially abundant metabolites in V. vinifera ‘90-1’. We found that secondary metabolic pathways were enriched during the veraison and maturity stages, including the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. Enrichment analysis indicated that most of the DEGs were enriched in the functional category of flavonoid biosynthesis. As secondary metabolites are largely antioxidants, the spraying of calcium fertilizers may improve the antioxidant capacity of the berries by regulating genes related to the flavonoid metabolism pathway, thus reducing the occurrence of berry cracking.

Physical and chemical properties, pectinases activity, and cell wall pectin of Acidulus, Momordica, Inodorus and Cantalupensis melons with different ripening degree at harvest

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the physical and chemical changes, pectinases activity, and cell wall pectin in melon varieties Acidulus (access 16), Momordica (access 2), Inodorus (cv. ‘Iracema’) and Cantalupensis (cv. ‘Olympic’), in the relation of ripening degree at harvest. Melon fruits were planted and evaluated with different ripening degree at harvest, from 15 to 35 days after anthesis (DAA). The fruits, arranged in a completely randomized design, had been evaluated on the harvest days to physical and chemical characteristics. We evaluate pectin methylesterase, polygalacturonase, beta-galactosidase, and pectin contents (water-soluble, chelate soluble, and sodium carbonate soluble). The ideal harvest for each melon was, 35 days after anthesis for cv ‘Iracema’, 30 days after anthesis for cv. ‘Olympic’, 30 days after anthesis for access 16, and 20 days after anthesis for access 2. High pulp firmness of access 16 is associated with the high levels of sodium carbonate soluble pectin and low levels of polygalacturonase and beta-galactosidase activity. Momordica melon fruit cracking is related to the high levels of pectinases activity, as well as pectin degradation.

Mitigation of the effect of drought on growth and yield of pomegranates by foliar spraying of different sizes of selenium nanoparticles.

Drought is a very important environmental stressor, which has negative effects on the growth of trees, decreasing their yield. The role of different-sized selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) in the mitigation of environmental stresses such as drought in crops has not yet been investigated. Trees treated with Se-NPs displayed higher levels of photosynthetic pigments, a better nutrient status, better physical parameters (especially fruit cracking) and chemical parameters, a higher phenolic content, and higher concentrations of osmolytes, antioxidant enzymes, and abscisic acid than untreated trees under drought stress. Foliar spraying of 10 and 50 nm Se-NPs alleviated many of the deleterious effects of drought in pomegranate leaves and fruits and this was achieved by reducing stress-induced lipid peroxidation and H2 O2 content by enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, the 10nm Se-NPs treatment produced more noticeable effects than the treatment with 50 nm Se-NPs. Results confirm the positive effects of nanoparticle spraying, especially the role of 10nm Se-NPs in the management of negative effects of drought not only for pomegranates but potentially also for other crops. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

The comparison of different irrigation methods on yield and water use efficiency of the jujube

Water shortage restricts the development of jujube plantation in southern Xinjiang, and the application of water–saving irrigation technology is the key to solve this problem. This study investigated the response of irrigation water use efficiency to various irrigation technologies (vertical tube irrigation and surface drip irrigation) and jujube yield and quality, and to choose a suitable irrigation method for Hui–jujube trees planting. The field experiment was conducted over 2 years. Vertical tube irrigation was implemented with three levels of water pressure by using water pressure heads 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 m. Additionally, surface drip irrigation was used as a control, and four treatments were used in total. The results indicated that vertical tube irrigation helped save approximately 37–70% of water, and its water use efficiency was 1.4–4.3 times that of surface drip irrigation. Compared with Hui–jujube trees watered by drip irrigation, those watered by vertical tube irrigation had slightly higher yield and decreased fruit cracking (25–83%). Moreover, the sugar–acid ratio increased significantly (P < 0.05). Besides, the continuous water supply used in vertical tube irrigation allowed the maintenance of relatively stable SWC in the main root layer (20–60 cm), can provided a good soil–water–air environment for jujube growth. Vertical tube irrigation saved water primarily because it sends water directly to the main root layer through the emitters buried in the soil, reducing the evaporation of water in the upper soil layer. The irrigation water amount of vertical tube irrigation was proportional to the water supply pressure head. Water use efficiency was the highest under the lowest water supply pressure (water pressure head 0.8 m). The present findings provide a scientific basis for the application of vertical tube irrigation in arid areas.