Fresh Fruit Production Research Articles

APPLICATION OF EDIBLE FILM AND COATING BASED ON ALOE VERA GEL FOR PRESERVATION OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF PHYSALIS PERUVIANA L. FRUITS

The calyx removing of Physalis peruviana fruits for production of fresh cut fruit makes its shelf life shorter. So, Aloe vera gel (AV) used as edible film and coating for increasing the fruit shelf life of fresh cut Physalis fruit. The physical parameter of prepared AV films was investigated such as: Thickness, water vapor permeability (WVP) and water solubility. The current study evaluates the effect of AV film and coating for maintain the Physalis peruviana fruits without calyx at 5±1°C and 95 % RH for 30 days. AV gel film was effective in controlling the fungal decay. which recorded the lowest value (4%) and reduced deterioration in all other physicochemical properties of Physalis fruit comparing with control. This study showed that the AV gel could be suitable for producing an edible film and coating with good physical characteristics such as low WVP (0.0037g/m2.h.mmHg). AV's low WVP appeared to have a great impact on maintaining post-harvest quality especially reducing the percentage of weight loss of coated fruit during storage.

Use of Natural Products on the Control of Aspergillus flavus and Production of Aflatoxins In Vitro and on Tomato Fruit.

Aspergillus flavus affects fresh and dry fruit and vegetable products, and its toxic metabolites, namely aflatoxins, cause serious damage in humans. The objective of this research study was to evaluate the effect of commercial natural products as well as edible and nanostructured chitosan coatings on the development of A. flavus and on the production of aflatoxins in vitro and in tomato. Treatments were as follows: chitosan 1%, chitosan coating, chitosan nanostructured coating, Citrocover 1% (citrus seed extract), Resinadher 0.5% (pine resin extract), mancozeb 2%, and water. The variables were as follows: halo inhibition, spore production, and aflatoxins content. In fruit, the following were evaluated: disease incidence, mycelial growth, and aflatoxin production. An ANOVA (Tukey: p < 0.05) was used. In vitro results showed that Citrocover and Resinadher reduced sporulation (0.2 and 0.9 × 105 spores mL−1, respectively), while chitosan inhibited the production of aflatoxins. With Resinadher and Citrocover, tomato fruit had the lowest incidence, mycelial growth, and aflatoxin production with corresponding values of 0%, 0.0 cm2, and 0.95 ppb, respectively, and 7%, 0.2 cm2, and 1.77 ppb, respectively. The use of Citrocover and Resinadher could be a viable alternative to decrease the development of A. flavus in tomato fruit.

Development of an Irrigation Water Quality Database to Identify Water Resources and Assess Microbiological Risks During the Production of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

An Irrigation Water Quality Database was developed to help assess the microbiological quality of irrigation water used in fruit and vegetable production in 15 counties in New York (NY) State. Water samples from Tennessee (TN) were also included in the database. Four water quality parameters, quantified generic Escherichia coli, specific conductance, pH, and turbidity, were tested. Ground, reservoir, and running water were sampled over 2 years (2009 and 2010), covering three seasons each year (spring, summer, and fall). TN data are for all three seasons in 2010 only. Overall in NY (254 total samples), ground water had a geometric mean of 1 most probable number (MPN)/100 ml, reservoir water had a geometric mean of 8 MPN/100 ml, and running water had a geometric mean of 52 MPN/100 ml. Overall in TN (63 total samples), ground water had a geometric mean of 1 colony forming unit (CFU)/100 ml, reservoir water had a geometric mean of 5 CFU/100 ml, and running water had a geometric mean of 38 CFU/100 ml. These values are all below the 126 MPN/100 ml United States Environmental Protection Agency's Ambient Water Quality Standards (AWQS) standard for fresh water. The presence of E. coli had very weak but sometimes statistically signficiant correlatation with water specific conductance, pH, and turbidity, depending on the water source but the r-squared effect was not strong enough to make the other measurements a substitute for testing specifically for E. coli in water.

Consumer learning behavior in adoption Tani Hub e-commerce

As e-commerce develops in Indonesia, sales of fresh fruit and vegetable products move from physical stores to virtual markets through technological innovation. The adoption of e-commerce is marked by changes in purchasing behavior of fresh fruits and vegetables that originally relied on the senses, now mediated by a screen measuring at least 7 inches. Interaction between seller and buyer, or buyer with buyer also mediated. This condition does not require consumers to be able to see, hold and smell the product they want directly. When compared with conventional methods, the purchase of fresh vegetables and fruit through e-commerce has risks, namely uncertainty such as the physical quality of the product, taste or freshness. Consumers need knowledge and experience to reduce this uncertainty, where this knowledge and experience is obtained through a consumer learning process. This study describes the forms of consumer learning behavior starting from the beginning to get acquainted with adopting e-commerce. The research method used is qualitative with descriptive research type, and the method of data collection in the form of in-depth interviews with informants who are adopters of the Surabaya branch of the E-Commerce Tani Hub. This informant consists of a group of friends who have the same values, namely implementing a lifestyle and eating healthy food. The results of this study are in the form of learning behaviors shown by Tani Hub consumers through the process of information exchange with information sources that they consider credible, namely friendship circles and also primary information from the Tani Hub’ company itself.

Impacts of lockdown on dietary patterns among youths in China: the COVID-19 Impact on Lifestyle Change Survey.

To assess changes in dietary patterns among youths in China after COVID-19 lockdown. This study was based on the COVID-19 Impact on Lifestyle Change Survey (COINLICS), a national retrospective survey established in early May 2020. The questionnaire was distributed through social media platforms. The sociodemographic information and routine dietary patterns before and after lockdown of participants were investigated. t tests and χ2 tests were used to compare the differences in consumption patterns of twelve major food groups and beverages between sex and across educational levels before and after lockdown. Factor analysis was employed to obtain the main dietary patterns. China. A total of 10082 youths. A significant decrease was observed in the average weekly frequency of rice intake, while significant increases were observed in the frequency of intake of wheat products, other staple foods, fish, eggs, fresh vegetables, preserved vegetables, fresh fruit and dairy products (all P values < 0·01). Heterogeneities of average weekly frequency existed between sex and across educational levels to different extents. The three main dietary patterns derived were loaded most heavily on dairy products, rice and wheat products, separately; the rice pattern became more dominant than the wheat products pattern after lockdown. The frequency of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption had decreased, while the frequency of other beverages had increased. Our timely survey would inform policymakers and health professionals of these significant changes in youths' dietary patterns after lockdown, with heterogeneities observed to different extents between sex and across educational levels, for better policy-making and public health practice.

Influence of Mineral Particle Films and Biomaterials on Guava Fruits and Implications for the Oviposition of Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Simple SummaryAmong the main phytosanitary problems that affect the production and commercialization of fresh fruits, the occurrence of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) is one of the main obstacles. The control of these tephritids is mainly performed through the use of toxic baits. The use of mineral films and biomaterials may constitute a viable alternative in relation to the traditional insecticide method, mainly because they do not contaminate the environment and do not leave toxic residues harmful to humans and animals in treated products. Therefore, by modifying the color and texture of the fruit cuticule that covers the plant tissues, kaolin affects the perception of arthropod pests, impairing the localization process and acceptance of the host plant and, consequently, its feeding and oviposition. In this study, we hypothesized that the color changes of guava fruits because of mineral particle films and biomaterials can affect the oviposition of fruit flies. The results obtained are promising and show that mineral films and biomaterials interfering with the color of guavas inhibited the oviposition of A. obliqua. Therefore, they can be used to protect guava fruits from the damage caused by this pest. Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart, 1835) is an important pest of tropical fruits, especially Anacardiaceae and Myrtaceae, in the Americas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of mineral films and biomaterials on the coloring of guava fruits (Psidium guajava L.) and implications for the oviposition of A. obliqua. Before the bioassays, color, firmness characteristics, total soluble solids, pH, and titratable acidity were determined to characterize the maturation stage of the fruits. Pieces of guava fruit covered in aluminum foil were immersed in suspensions of mineral particles (Surround® WP kaolin; kaolins 605, 607, 608, and 611; and talc) and biomaterials (chitosan, cassava and potato starch, and guar gum) and distilled water (control). After drying, the fruits were exposed to two A. obliqua pairs for 48 h in choice and non-choice tests, and the numbers of eggs per fruit were counted. Mineral films (Surround® WP kaolin, and kaolins 605, 607, 608, and 611) and biomaterials (cassava and potato starch) interfered with the color of guava (luminosity, chroma, and hue angle), inhibiting the oviposition of A. obliqua. Talc, chitosan, and guar gum did not influence the oviposition of A. obliqua in guava.

How Chinese demand for fresh fruit and vegetables is creating new landscapes of rural development and vulnerability in Southeast Asia: Insights from the Myanmar melon frontier

Mainland Southeast Asia has become an increasingly important source for Chinese imports of fresh fruit. But how have these activities contributed to patterns of regional development in sites of production? This paper uses insights from China-centric melon production in Myanmar to generate new insights into this question. We argue that the expansion of this trade has created a structural form of strategic coupling in which benefits have flowed to a relatively small number of participants. Whereas these outcomes have some similarities to fresh fruit and vegetable export chains elsewhere in the world, what makes this case special is their creation through a form of value chain governance quite unlike the retailer-led arrangements typically associated with export fresh fruit and vegetable production. In the Myanmar-China melons trade, brokers, not retailers, exercise lead firm functions. These arrangements have generated distinctive and highly uneven distributions of risk and reward that have inhibited value chain upgrading and created substantial environmental despoliation. The vulnerabilities associated with these processes were brought into sharp relief with the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, which led to local farmers bearing huge costs and debts when the border trade was abruptly curtailed.

Is It What They Eat or How Much They Eat That Matters More in Adults with Food Insecurity in a Wealthy-Country Context?

This study aimed to investigate whether dietary quantity and/or quality differ according to food security levels in the Korean adult population. Dietary adequacy and quality were evaluated by the Korean Dietary Reference Intake and the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) for adults, respectively, according to three food security levels, i.e., food security, low food security, and very low food security. A total of 7144 Korean adults (aged 19 to 64 years) were selected from cross-sectional data from the 2013–2015 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. The risk of inadequate nutrient intakes of protein (p trend = 0.021) and phosphorus (p trend = 0.002) increased according to food insecurity levels after adjustment for putative risk factors. The total KHEI scores (p < 0.001) as well as scores of having breakfast (p < 0.001) were lowest in the very low food security group. Among KHEI components, adults with food insecurity were less likely to get full scores from intakes of mixed grains (p trend = 0.016), total fruit (p trend = 0.039), fresh fruit (p trend = 0.043), and breakfast (p trend < 0.001). In addition, food-insecure adults were more likely to get zero score from intakes of fresh fruit (p trend = 0.020), milk and dairy products (p trend = 0.049), breakfast (p trend < 0.001), % of energy from sweets and beverages (p trend = 0.002), and total energy (p trend = 0.033). In conclusion, food security levels were associated with how much they ate, as well what they ate, in adults in South Korea. These results implied that the diet adequacy as well as moderation and balance could be carefully treated with food assistance or nutrition intervention once nutritional adequacy has mostly been met. In addition, targeted intervention programs tailored to diverse contexts for improving food insecurity may prevent unintended consequences due to easy access to inexpensive obesogenic foods in adults with food insecurity.

Status of Rooftop and Homestead Gardening in Bogura

A survey was conducted to assess the status of rooftop and homestead gardening in Sadar upazila of Bogura in Bangladesh. The study revealed that 66% rooftop gardeners and 70% homestead gardeners preferred gardening for production of healthy and fresh food. According the survey there were about 80 type of plants in rooftop gardens and 87 types in homestead gardens. These plants were fruits (97%), vegetables (86%), flowers (64%), spices (72%), medicinal plants (64%), ornamental plants (23%) and plantation crops (12%). The amount of time they had to invest for gardening ranged from only less than half-an-hour to an hour. About 28% homestead gardeners received training on gardening from GOs and NGOs while most of the rooftop gardeners gained knowledge from agro-based television programs. The study revealed that a very few gardeners (18%) considered rooftop gardening for economic benefit while a remarkable number of homestead gardeners (24%) considered gardening for economic return on top of producing fruits and vegetables for family consumption. Finally this study concluded that both rooftop and homestead gardening can be complementary means for increasing the production and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and thus can contribute in achieving food security and safety.&#x0D; Environ. Sci. &amp; Natural Resources, 12(1&amp;2): 157-164, 2019

Agrifood field analysis and sociocultural brokerage. Mexico and the United States: 1950–2016

AbstractIn this work, we propose the heuristic and explicative possibilities of agrifood fields analysis (AFFA) for the historical study of capitalism in agriculture and food. This approach considers the agroclimatic conditions of the territories and the sociocultural plurality of the actors who inhabit them. This phenomenological and eco‐territorial approach allows to study, on many scales, the networks of social relations in which actors take part who are competing for the benefits that are created by human labor applied to producing certain foods and making them accessible to consumers. To show the value of the AFFA, we present a historical study of the agrifood field that was developed from the production of fresh fruits and vegetables in the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas and several regions of Mexico for the market in the United States and Canada. The concept of sociocultural brokerage allowed us to take into account the social and cultural plurality in the AFFA and the role played by the creativity and skills of the actors in managing the resources of knowledge, society, technology, and capital at their disposal. This way we were able to explain the dynamics of power and the changes in agrifood governance in the field.

Динамика валовых сборов орехов в мире и в основных странах-производителях

In most food classifications, nuts are usually included in the fruit and berry group. In this scientific article, we examined the issue of the production of tree nuts in the world as a whole, and in the countries that are the main producers of this type of plant products. This term was borrowed from the terminology of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, originally referred to as “Treenuts”. This group does not include all fruits that we, in our traditional understanding, classify as nuts. In particular, it does not include peanuts (groundnut) and coconuts. In the course of the study, we identified that during 1961-2019 the volume of world production of tree nuts increased by 6.68 times, while the “Fruit, Total” group increased by 4.34 times, and that of peanuts and coconut by 3.45 times and 2.63 times, respectively. However, the gross harvest of tree nuts is significantly inferior to most of the types of fresh fruit and berry products obtained. In the structure of their global production in 2019, walnuts were in the first position (25.75%), in the second - cashew nuts (22.67%), in the third - almonds (20.02%). In the context of the main countries-producers of tree nuts, the five leaders include such states as China (27.03%), USA (17.40%), Turkey (7.51%), Iran (4.90%), Cat- d’Ivoire (4.60%). In general, the importance of tree nuts in both production and consumption is increasing. For producing countries, their cultivation and supply to international trade is one of the sources of employment for part of the population and obtaining foreign exchange earnings, and in the countries importing them, the population gets the opportunity to diversify their diet with useful food products throughout the entire calendar year.

Application of ionizing radiation for increasing of microbiological safety and shelf life of cultivated garden berries

Healthy nutrition must include fresh fruit and vegetable products containing several nutrients, which are necessary to healthy human body maintaining. Healthy foods, such as fresh cultivated berries, can have dangerous levels of microbiological contamination after their harvesting. There are several methods, including various types of ionizing radiation, which can achieve the safety of plant raw materials safety without damaging their native structure. Thus, environmentally friendly ionizing β-radiation was used in our experiments. Freshly cultivated garden berries were packed into plastic bags and sealed in a vacuum packaging machine in a passive mode. Then packed samples were processed with ionizing radiation with a dose from 1 to 3 kGy. After irradiation, the samples were stored for 21 days at 4 ºC. The optimal radiation doses were established for all studied types of cultivated garden berries for increasing their microbiological safety and extend their shelf life. During the experiment, an organoleptic assessment of irradiated berries was carried out in comparison with control samples. It is established that ionizing radiation is an effective way to reduce contamination of berries with pathogenic microorganisms. The research results can be applied for practical purposes to increase the quality and safety of fresh products of plant origin.

Fresh and dry fruit production in Himalayan Kashmir, Sub-Himalayan Jammu and Trans-Himalayan Ladakh, India

Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are two union territories (UT's) famous for their beauty and cool climate. Both the UT's are familiar with their horticulture production at the national and international level. Jammu & Kashmir offers enough scope for cultivation of all types of horticulture crops covering various sub-tropical fruits like mango, guava, citrus, litchi, temperate fruits like apple, pear, peach, plum, apricot, almonds, cherry, and apricot. Horticulture has emerged as a fast-growing sector in Jammu & Kashmir and to some extent in Ladakh, offers a wide range of opportunities to farmers for crop diversification. Horticulture has proved its credibility in improving income through increased productivity, creating employment, and strengthening exports. Jammu & Kashmir comprises 20 districts and Ladakh two districts, and both having comparative advantages in some specific types of fruit cultivation due to variations in soil fertility, soil matter, topography, and variable to harsh weather. In this survey, we analyze the district wise contribution and improvement of horticulture production of fresh fruits and an increase in their growing area. The survey-based on secondary data sources collected from the Directorate of Horticulture of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The data is analytical and empirical, directly contributing to the horticulture production of India. The area and production of apple are maximum in district Baramulla, a temperate region of J&K. While, maximum area as well as the production of apricot is in district Leh, a high altitude and cold arid region of Ladakh.

Страны Латинской Америки и Россия в международной торговле основными тропическими фруктами

The orientation of a part of the population of economically developed countries to a healthy diet, the spread of ideas of vegetarianism, concern for the environment, and relatively higher incomes contributed to an increase in demand for fruits, berries and nuts of tropical and subtropical origin. Some of them, in particular bananas, oranges, tangerines, lemons, have become common food products and practically everyday consumption for the majority of the population of developed countries in the last quarter of the 20th century. In the future, some other types of fresh fruit and berry products from the tropics and subtropics (for example, pineapple, kiwi, avocado) gradually, due to increased production and international trade, also became more economically available to the ordinary consumer. Based on the analysis of statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for 1961-2019, the article shows a number of trends in international trade (for exports) of major tropical fruits are reflected, with a deeper look at the participation of Latin American countries in this process. It was revealed that some states of this region, such as Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colombia, Honduras, Peru, Brazil, Chile, occupy significant positions in the supply of bananas, pineapple, avocado, mango, papaya to the world market. Currently, Russia is one of the largest countries in the world in terms of imports of fruit and berry products, therefore, the issue of its participation as a subject of demand in the world tropical fruit market is raised.

Conversion to organic farming: a dynamic opportunity for Pakistani smallholders of fresh fruit

ABSTRACT: Exporting the organic fresh fruit (FF) to Europe and America could be regarded as great opportunity for smallholders and suppliers of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. Yet, the global organic farmland and the number of organic producers are continued to grow. To date, little is known about the behavior of Pakistani farmers towards organic fresh fruit production. This study examined the factors that influence the decision-making of fresh fruit smallholders concerning the conversion to organic farming (COF). This study uses Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior (TPB) to predict the behavior of Pakistani smallholders of fresh fruit. Path analysis examined the utility of the extended version of the TPB model to anticipate 277 small-scale farmers’ behavioral intentions towards the adoption of organic farming (AOF) and their prospect of converting their farm to organic produce within the next three years. The present study reported that the smallholders’ attitude (ATT), subjective norms (SN), perceived behavior control (PBC), and farmer’s group participation (FGP) were positively correlated with farmer’s intention to adopt organic farming, while group participation of farmers has significant correlation with their behavior regarding production of organic fruits. The present study justifies using the model of farmers’ group participation in policies that deliberately cheer up smallholders of fresh fruit to adopt organic farming, to raise farm incomes and to alleviate poverty.

Structural Changes in Agricultural Cooperatives Following Bulgaria’s European Union Integration

The article aims to analyze the structural changes in agricultural cooperatives in Bulgaria, in terms of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union (EU) and, on this basis, outline the main trends in their development. The analysis is based on official statistical information from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Forestry (MAF) “Agrostatistics”, primary data “Agricultural and Accounting Information System” (FADN) National Strategic Institute (NSI). The trend of changing the following indicators is investigated: number of agricultural cooperatives in Bulgaria, changes in the utilized agricultural area (UAA,); changes in arable land, average size of UAA, labor force, dynamics of the production structure (crop and livestock) for the 2007-2016 period. The results show that, as a consequence of the implementation of the CAP for the 2007-2016 period, structural changes in agricultural cooperatives are reported. They are expressed in the lasting tendency to decrease both their number and the land they manage. The analysis shows that the incentives under the various CAP support schemes have positive effects on the diversification of crop production. In general, the areas with cereals and oilseeds have decreased over the years. In 2016, there was an increase in the production of fresh fruits and vegetables as a result of the implementation of CAP measures resulting from coupled payments. Despite the CAP subsidies to support the livestock sector, including the support of farms included in selection control schemes, at the end of the period the number of cooperatives developing cattle breeding was almost halved. Despite the negative results in general, at the level of the production unit the result is in the consolidation of production.

Determination of Major, Minor, and Toxic Elements in Tropical Fruits by ICP-OES After Different Microwave Acid Digestion Methods

Fruits contain nutrients, minerals, trace elements, vitamins, and phytochemicals that are important in terms of human health. When fruits are consumed in a balanced diet, they have a positive effect with regard to reducing disease risk. As a result of heavy metal contamination of the environment, they can be a potential source of toxic elements so it is important to determine the toxic, essential, and trace elements in fresh fruit and commercial fruit products such as fruit juice, marmalade. This study aims to determine the concentrations of Al, B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Zn, P, and S in tropical fruits (tamarind (Tamarindus indica), star fruit (Averrhoa carambola), golden berry (Physalis peruviana), kumquat (Citrus japonica), dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus), passion fruit (Passiflora edulis)) by using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) after different microwave acid digestion procedures. The efficiencies of digestion in tropical fruit samples were investigated and compared. Six milliliters of HNO3 + 2 mL of H2O2, 6 mL of HNO3 + 2 mL of HCl, 8 mL of HNO3, 8 mL of HNO3 + 4 mL of H2O2 (30%), 8 mL of HNO3 + 4 mL of HCl, and 12 mL of HNO3 were used for microwave acid digestion procedures. Microwave digestion procedures were applied for the analysis of seventy-two tropical fruit samples purchased in triplicate for each tropical fruit and major, toxic, and minor element contents of tropical fruits were determined. The parameters of the merit evaluated were validated according to limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ), linearity, recovery, and precision. The highest results of LOD and LOQ were found for Ca, K, Na, Mg, and S. The recovery percentages are in the range from 71.01 to 117.31% in tropical fruits. The digestion efficiency was correlated with the residual carbon content, which was determined by total organic carbon analyzer (TOC). Six milliliters of HNO3 + 2 mL of HCl digestion method was chosen as the effective digestion method because of the lowest residual carbon contents and the accuracy results.

End‐user preferences for plantain food products in Nigeria and implications for genetic improvement

SummaryPlantain is an important food security crop for farming households in Nigeria. This study investigates the relative importance of plantain food products and their quality descriptors from the perspective of farmers in Southern‐Nigeria, to inform end‐user oriented and socially inclusive breeding strategies that drive hybrid adoption. Surveys were conducted in twelve rural communities in three states in the plantain belt of Nigeria, consisting of key informant interviews, sex‐disaggregated focused group discussions and individual interviews. Dodo (fried plantains), boli (roasted plantains), boiled plantain, plantain with beans and porridge were the most common food products identified in the study areas. Fruit size, pulp texture (firmness/softness), colour, maturity stage and taste were identified as the most critical characteristics, with impact on quality of processed food products. There were significant differences between states regarding the importance of plantain food products, but little interstate and gender differences for fresh fruit and food product quality characteristics.

Potato Virus Y (PVY) Isolates from Solanum betaceum Represent Three Novel Recombinants Within the PVYN Strain Group and Are Unable to Systemically Spread in Potato.

Tamarillo, or tree tomato (Solanum betaceum), is a perennial small tree or shrub species cultivated in subtropical areas for fresh fruit and juice production. In Ecuador, tamarillo orchards are affected by several viruses, with one previously identified as potato virus Y (PVY); however, the specific strain composition of PVY in tamarillo was not determined. In 2015 and 2016, eight tamarillo plants exhibiting symptoms of leaf drop, mosaic, and mottled fruit were sampled near Tumbaco and Quito, Ecuador. These tamarillo PVY isolates were able to systemically infect tobacco, Nicotiana benthamiana, naranjilla, and tamarillo. Seven of the eight PVY isolates from tamarillo exhibited N-serotype, while one of the PVY isolates studied, Tam15, had no identifiable serotype. One isolate, Tam17, had N-serotype but produced asymptomatic systemic infection in tobacco. In tamarillo, four tamarillo isolates induced mosaic and slight growth retardation and were unable to systemically infect pepper or potato. Tamarillo, on the other hand, was unable to support systemic infection of PVY isolates belonging to the PVYO and PVYEu-N strains. The whole genomes of eight PVY isolates were sequenced from a series of overlapping RT-PCR fragments. Phylogenetically, tamarillo PVY isolates were found to belong to the large PVYN lineage, in a new tamarillo clade. Recombination analysis revealed that these tamarillo PVY isolates represent at least three novel recombinant types not reported before. The combination of the biological and molecular properties found in these eight PVY isolates suggested the existence of a new tamarillo strain of PVY that may have coevolved with S. betaceum.

Challenges Associated with a Successful Management of Regulated Deficit Irrigation in Commercial Fresh-Fruit Production

Challenges Associated with a Successful Management of Regulated Deficit Irrigation in Commercial Fresh-Fruit Production