Fruit Nutritional Quality Research Articles

Manipulation of artificial light environment improves plant biomass and fruit nutritional quality in tomato

IntroductionThe yield and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum. L) are often decreased when plants suffer from low light intensity and short-photoperiod in winter. Manipulation of the artificial light environment is a feasible technology to promote off-seasonal production and improve fruit nutritional quality in the greenhouse. ObjectivesHere we aim to investigate the appropriate balance between red (R) and blue (B) light to improve tomato yield and quality traits. MethodsBiochemical, molecular and genetic analysis were used to study the photosynthetic traits, pigments, sugar and volatile accumulation pathway genes. ResultsTomato plants subjected to R1B0.8, a ratio between monochromatic red (R) and blue (B) light, for 16 h photoperiod showed significantly increased chlorophyll and biomass accumulation compared to white (W) light treatment. R1B0.8 light treatment enhanced electron transfer efficiency and photosynthetic capacity by improving the light energy utilization rate and inducing photosystem core subunit genes (SlPsaC, SlPsaB, SlPsaA) and light-harvesting complex genes (SlLHCB/A). Compared to W light, R1B0.8 light also induced carotenoid accumulation and accelerated fruit ripening, which was associated with the upregulation of carotenoid biosynthesis genes (SlPSY1, SlPDS) and ethylene biosynthesis genes (SlACS2, SlACO2) in tomato fruits. Moreover, fruits exposed to R1B0.8 light treatments significantly improved fructose and glucose accumulation and the expression of the volatile-related gene (SlAADC1a) and flavor-related gene (SlGORKY). ConclusionOur results showed that R1B0.8 light with a 16 h photoperiod could prominently promote photosynthetic traits, pigments, sugar and volatile accumulation in tomato. Our findings on the manipulation of artificial light environments in protected horticulture offer possibilities for enhancing crop yield and quality to meet the increasing global demand for food.

Impact of season and maturity stage on biochemical parameters of Averrhoa carambola fruits

The nutritional quality of fruits can be affected by changes in physiological indicators during fruit ripening, which is why it is important to identify the stage of maturity and the appropriate season for harvesting. Based on this observation, this study was carried out to evaluate the influence of the two different seasons and the stage of maturity on the nutritional parameters of Averrhoa Carambola. The results showed a significant effect (p<0.0001) of the two seasons and maturity stage on the biochemical parameters of A. carambola fruits. Ash contents and pH were significantly high in rainy seasons and at the ripe stage. Their values ​​were respectively (6.80±0.59%) and (3.54±0.27). Moisture and titratable acidity concentrations decreased significantly during maturation while total sugars, reducing and non-reducing sugars, and total soluble solids increased significantly during maturation. vitamin C and phenolic compounds were more abundant in the dry season and at the green stage. The values ​​were Vitamin C (15,869.64±0.03 mg/g), polyphenols (30.92±0.03 mg GAE/mg), flavonoids (30.59±0.28 mg EQ/g) and tannins (21-.02±0.01 mg GAE/g). This study suggests that there are differences in the biochemical parameters of starfruit between seasons depending on the maturity stage. The data provided useful information on the season and ideal stage of maturity for harvesting and their use in food products.

A comprehensive review of integrating biostimulants and biopesticides for organic berry farming: exploring challenges and opportunities for Africa

Agriculture plays a pivotal role in Africa, contributing significantly to sustainable farming practices and the establishment of resilient food systems. Within this context, the use of various types of biostimulants, including microbial biostimulants such as Plant Growth-Promoting microorganisms (PGPM) and non-microbial products like Algal extract, humic acid, and protein hydrolysates, as well as biopesticides, emerges as a promising strategy to bolster sustainable agriculture, particularly in the realm of organic berry production. These substances have the potential to enhance crop growth, fortify stress tolerance, and optimize nutrient absorption, benefiting both human health and the environment. This paper aims to explore the opportunities and challenges associated with incorporating plant biostimulants into organic berry production within the African agricultural sector. To achieve this objective, an extensive and comprehensive review encompassing scientific literature, policy documents, and global data was conducted. The primary focus of this review was to investigate the current state of biostimulant adoption in organic berry farming within the African agricultural sector, with a specific emphasis on identifying potential opportunities and discussing the benefits derived from their application. Additionally, we addressed the challenges encountered and proposed practical approaches to achieving sustainable agriculture. The findings and conclusions of our review reveal the transformative potential of biostimulants in organic berry production. The evidence points to remarkable advancements in plant growth, plant health, overall yield, and fruit nutritional quality. By implementing these substances, we can also minimize the ecological footprint of agricultural practices. However, several challenges remain, including limited accessibility, insufficient awareness and knowledge regarding biostimulant usage, and a shortage of research specific to African agriculture. To overcome these challenges and achieve sustainable agriculture, this paper recommends practical approaches such as raising awareness, investing in research and development, and promoting the use of biostimulants through policy interventions and capacity-building programs. We underscore the importance of stakeholder participation and local adaptations for effectively integrating biostimulants in African agriculture. The significance of integrating plant biostimulants in organic berry production lies in advancing sustainable agriculture. This paper aims to explore the opportunities and challenges associated with incorporating plant biostimulants into organic berry production within Africa.

Multispecies Trichoderma in Combination with Hydrolyzed Lignin Improve Tomato Growth, Yield, and Nutritional Quality of Fruits

The application of biological pesticides as alternatives to chemical phytosanitary products is a natural and innovative method to improve environmental protection and sustainable agricultural production. In this work, the compatibility between Trichoderma spp. and a commercial lignin extract was assessed in vitro and in vivo. The beneficial effects of lignin in combination with different Trichoderma consortia were evaluated in terms of improved growth and quantitative and qualitative tomato productivity. T. virens GV41 + T. asperellum + T. atroviride + lignin formulation was the most effective in growth promotion and increased root and stem dry weight compared to control (45.4 and 43.9%, respectively). This combination determined a 63% increase in tomato yield compared to the control, resulting in the best-performing treatment compared to each individual constituent. Consistent differences in terms of lycopene, GABA, ornithine, total, essential, and branched-chain amino acids were revealed in fruits from tomato plants treated with Trichoderma–lignin formulations (T. asperellum + T. virens GV41 + lignin) or with the microbial consortia (T. asperellum + T. virens GV41, T. atroviride + T. virens GV41). The developed bioformulations represent a sustainable biological strategy to increase yield and produce nutritional compound-enriched vegetables.

Variability in strawberry tunnels impacts fruit quality and limits melatonin effects.

Fluctuations in environmental conditions within fields and crop plant performance can greatly affect production and quality standards. These factors are particularly relevant for producers, who require sustained optimal production to profit from small margins. Fluctuations might be exacerbated at the end of the crop season, where neither of the aforementioned factors are optimal. In the present integrated study, we assess strawberries' nutritional quality and the impact of harvest timing, tunnel conditions and inter-individual variability in a Mediterranean production tunnel divided into blocks, where two harvests were performed 3 weeks apart. In addition, the effects of sprayed melatonin at the end of productive season were also evaluated. End-season harvesting negatively impacted fruit hydration, antioxidant capacity and ripening-related hormones in strawberry fruits. Additionally, tunnel distribution influenced fruit nutritional quality, with light radiation being the main variable factor disturbing antioxidant contents. Nutrients exhibited high inter-individual plant variability, accounting for 20% variation, and were strongly correlated with fruit hydration and ripening-related phytohormones. Finally, melatonin applications affected neither fruit production, nor nutritional parameters, for which the effects were masked by the intrinsic strawberry variability. Overall, the results underline the limitations of this type of application for field implementation. Fruit quality variation in strawberry fields is explained by environmental and inter-individual variability. Likewise, the implementation of regulatory molecules such as melatonin in field applications relies on crop homogeneity and might have limited applicability in heterogeneous productive systems. Consequently, identifying and reducing microclimate variability in productive fields is paramount for advancing agricultural practices to uphold unwavering standards on fruit quality. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

A three‐year field experiment of faba bean var. minor effects on soil health and production of pepper grown under conventional farming system

AbstractSoil management using natural‐based approaches is becoming essential to minimize the use of synthetic agrochemicals and to ensure sustainability and resiliency of agriculture production. In this study, faba bean (Vicia faba L.) var. minor was used during three consecutive cropping years as green manure to restore soil fertility and biology and to improve the growth, yield and fruit quality parameters of pepper cv. ‘Baklouti’. Following green manuring with faba bean, significant enhancements in the total nitrogen (N), the available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) contents, the soil organic carbon (SOC) and the soil organic matter (SOM) levels were recorded. The alkaline phosphatase activity was also increased by 30.04% after faba bean var. minor incorporation into the soil in the third year. The β‐glucosidase and urease activities were increased by 26.8%–34.03% and 47.01%–71.7% in faba bean‐amended soil during the three‐year trials. Green manuring also enriched soil with total cultivable bacteria, Pseudomonas fluorescens, actinobacteria, total fungi and Aspergillus spp. as compared to control soil. Pepper growth and yield parameters were improved by 16.5–33.7% and 27.5% following green manure amendment, respectively. Vitamin C content, total soluble solids (TSS) and titrable acidity of green and red pepper fruits were 39.1%–50.7% and 7.2%–13.4% higher in green manured soil than in control. The calcium, potassium and phosphorus contents were significantly 4.7%–9.6%, 16.4%–18.1% and 41.2%–42.9% higher in red fruits of pepper plants grown on green manured soil. The plant growth and yield parameters together with the fruit biochemical and mineral characteristics were positively linked to NPK soil levels, SOC, SOM and soil microbial population's density and activity. This study clearly demonstrated the efficiency of green manuring using faba bean var. minor residues as potential alternative to agrochemicals for the enhancement of soil health status and the improvement of pepper growth, yield and fruit nutritional quality.

Effect of postharvest cold storage and subsequent shelf-life on fruit quality and endogenous phytohormones in nectarine fruit

Cold storage is the main approach to extend the postharvest storage period of nectarines. The objective of this study was to investigate fruit quality (flavor and nutrition) and endogenous phytohormone changes and their related transcriptional changes in nectarine fruit after cold storage and subsequent shelf-life, which was performed metabolome, transcriptome and physiological analysis. Cold storage led to irreversible flavor loss due to the inhibition of aroma biosynthesis genes at low temperature. Sugar and organic acid content was affected, with an increase in glucose, fructose and malic acid, and a decrease in sorbitol and citric acid after cold storage or shelf-life. For fruit nutritional quality, total flavonoids or total carotenoids was not significantly affected by cold storage, whereas shelf-life process enhanced their accumulation. The activities of key enzymes for flavonoid biosynthesis, PAL and C4H, were enhanced during the shelf-life process, resulting in a significant increase in flavonoids and enhanced free radicals scavenging capacity. Meanwhile, shelf-life process increased carotenoids content by improving the expression of carotenoid biosynthesis genes PSY, ZDS and ZISO. Additionally, cold storage significantly increased the IAA content and ethylene production, thereby inducing the up-regulation of related signaling transduction genes. The shelf-life process further increased ethylene production, as well as salicylic acid and jasmonic acid content. This study unravels these crucial physiological and associated transcriptional changes of nectarines after cold storage, and may provide a theoretical foundation for improving fruit quality of peaches after cold storage.

Global analysis of spatio-temporal variation in mineral nutritional quality of pepper (Capsicum spp.) fruit and its regulatory variables: A meta-analysis

Pepper (Capsicum spp.) is an important fruit vegetable worldwide, and it is a rich dietary source of minerals for human being. Yet, the spatio-temporal distribution of pepper fruit mineral composition and the factors influencing such variations at global scale remain unknown. A global meta-analysis of 140 publications providing 649, 562, 690, 811 datapoints was conducted to quantify and evaluate the nutritional quality, comprising potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), of pepper fruits and its influencing variables. The analysis showed that the global average of K, Mg, Fe and Zn content in pepper fruits was 20–25 g kg−1, 1–1.5 g kg−1, 80–100 mg kg−1, and 20–40 mg kg−1, respectively. There had been a downward trend in pepper fruit nutritional quality over the last decade, especially for Fe and Zn. And, the concentration of all these four nutrients were at lower levels in less developed regions, especially in Africa. Our results showed that the vegetable “green pepper” contains more K, Mg, Fe and Zn than the “hot pepper” used as spice. The concentration of K, Mg, Fe and Zn were increased with fruit yield but that of Fe and Zn were decreased with increase in single fruit weight. Nutritional quality was optimal at mean annual temperature of 10 ℃ − 20 ℃, and was adversely affected when mean annual precipitation was < 500 mm. Pepper fruits produced at pH 6.5–7.5 had higher fruit K concentration while acidic soils (pH<6.5) favored higher Fe and Zn concentrations. The higher soil organic matter (SOM) generally improved the nutritional quality of the pepper. Our results suggest that systematic selection of superior varieties and soil amelioration (adjusting pH and SOM) of the soil-crop system are needed to achieve higher nutritional quality of pepper fruit.

Soil pH and organic matter: Key edaphic factors in sustaining optimum yield and quality of pomelo fruit

Identifying the soil properties associated with crop yield and quality variation is crucial for developing sustainable agronomic strategies. However, such information on pomelo production is scarce. Hence, forty independent sites in the primary pomelo production areas of Pinghe County were selected to investigate the influence of soil properties on pomelo yield and quality, and to provide reference for future soil management strategies. The results showed positive correlations between pomelo yield and soil pH, along with exchangeable calcium and magnesium, but this comes at the expense of fruit flavor quality. Meanwhile, soil organic matter positively influenced fruit flavor quality. Furthermore, a significant positive effect on fruit nutritional quality was noted across various soil properties, except for organic matter and available phosphorus concentration. A random forest model was used to predict pomelo yield, flavor quality, and nutritional quality based on soil properties and yielded R2 values of 0.50, 0.60, and 0.50, respectively. Partial least squares regression and structural equation modeling identified soil pH and organic matter as pivotal pomelo yield and quality determinants. The categorization of samples into four groups based on differences in pH and organic matter highlighted that integrating soil acidification remediation with organic matter increased is essential for sustainable pomelo production. Overall, this study offers comprehensive insights into the effects of holistic soil management on achieving both high yield and quality in pomelo cultivation. Furthermore, these findings serve as valuable reference for advancing sustainable production practices across large fruit types beyond the pomelo.

Effects of Ripening Phase and Cultivar under Sustainable Management on Fruit Quality and Antioxidants of Sweet Cherry

Sweet cherry grown under sustainable management produces highly valuable fruits, whose quality shows important biochemical and morphological changes during ripening. Research was carried out in Iasi (Romania), with the aim to assess the quality characteristics of the sweet cherry fruits of three cultivars (Van, Andreiaș, Margonia), grown in an inner or outer position inside the tree crown, at the pre-ripening or full ripeness phase. In 2022, the colour component a* showed higher values in cv. Van and Andreias red fruits and in an inner position, whereas the components L* and b* at the full ripeness phase were highest in cv. Margonia. The dry matter and total soluble solids contents increased from the pre-ripening to the full ripeness phase and were highest in cv. Van sweet cherry fruits; the DM of fruit from the outer part of crown was higher than that of fruit from the inner part at the pre-ripening phase. The content of phenolics was the highest in cv. Margonia fruits at the pre-ripening stage and in cv. Van at the full ripeness phase and higher in the inner tree crown zones. The cultivar Margonia generally showed the highest vitamin C content in both years and development phases. The yellow fruit cv. Margonia mostly showed the highest values of chlorophyll a and b. The fruit’s content of carotene, lycopene, and anthocyanins was generally the highest in the red fruits of cv. Andreias. The examined sweet cherry cultivars showed a high variability in fruit nutritional quality and proved to be a rich source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant potential.

Surface modified ZnO NPs by betaine and proline build up tomato plants against drought stress and increase fruit nutritional quality

Drought stress is a serious challenge for global food production. Nanofertilizers and nanocomposites cope with such environmental stresses and also increase nutritional contents of fruits. An in vitro experiment was designed to use Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) primed with Proline and Betaine (ZnOP and ZnOBt NPs) at 50 and 100 mg/kg soil against drought stress in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants. Plant morphological, biochemical, and fruit nutritional quality were accessed. Maximum plant height was observed under the treatment of ZnOP50 (1.09 m) and ZnO 100 (1.06 m). ZnOP and ZnOBt also improved the chlorophyll content up to 86% and 87.16%, respectively. Application of ZnOP NPs also demonstrated maximum tomato yield (204 g tomato/plant) followed by ZnO NPs and ZnOBt NPs. Nanocomposites decreased phenolics and flavonoids contents in drought stressed plants demonstrating the mitigation of oxidative stress. Nanofertilizer also increased the concentration of phenolics and flavonoids in fruits that increased the nutritional contents. Furthermore a significant accumulation of betaine, proline, and lycopene in fruits on nanocomposite treatment made it nutritional and healthy. Lycopene content increased up to 2.01% and 1.23% in presence of ZnOP50 and ZnOP100, respectively. These outcomes validate that drought stress in plant can be reduced by accumulation of different phytochemicals and quenching oxidative stress. The study deems that nano zinc carrying osmoregulators can greatly reduce the negative effects of drought stress and increase nutritional quality of tomato fruits.

Metabolomics reveals how ethylene‐auxin interaction delays tomato ripening maintaining fruit nutritional and sensorial quality

SummaryThe antagonistic roles of ethylene and auxin are well established, although the exact role of auxin in ripening regulation remains unclear. A metabolomic approach can be a strategy to understand the role of this phytohormone in improving tomato quality. This study used metabolomic approaches to investigate how the interaction between ethylene and auxin affects tomato fruit nutritional and sensorial quality, with a particular emphasis on aroma metabolites. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro‐Tom) fruits were randomly grouped according to treatment with ethylene (ETHY), auxin (IAA), or both (ETHY + IAA) phytohormones. Fruits without treatment were grouped in CTRL. Ethylene and auxin treatments affected carbohydrates (fructose, sucrose, and glucose), organic acids (citric and malic acids), and amino acids (valine, asparagine, and GABA), with the main volatile organic compounds precursors positively impacting ETHY + IAA aroma compounds. In conclusion, the comparison of metabolome profiles suggests that auxin regulation may overlap the ethylene regulatory system. Furthermore, tomato fruits treated with both phytohormones maintained metabolic profiles similar to those of untreated fruits in delayed ripening conditions, besides the improved tomato aroma.

An Alarming Decline in the Nutritional Quality of Foods: The Biggest Challenge for Future Generations' Health.

In the last sixty years, there has been an alarming decline in food quality and a decrease in a wide variety of nutritionally essential minerals and nutraceutical compounds in imperative fruits, vegetables, and food crops. The potential causes behind the decline in the nutritional quality of foods have been identified worldwide as chaotic mineral nutrient application, the preference for less nutritious cultivars/crops, the use of high-yielding varieties, and agronomic issues associated with a shift from natural farming to chemical farming. Likewise, the rise in atmospheric or synthetically elevated carbon dioxide could contribute to the extensive reductions in the nutritional quality of fruits, vegetables, and food crops. Since ancient times, nutrient-intense crops such as millets, conventional fruits, and vegetables have been broadly grown and are the most important staple food, but the area dedicated to these crops has been declining steadily over the past few decades and hastily after the green revolution era due to their poorer economic competitiveness with major commodities such as high-yielding varieties of potato, tomato, maize, wheat, and rice. The majority of the population in underdeveloped and developing countries have lower immune systems, are severely malnourished, and have multiple nutrient deficiency disorders due to poor dietary intake and less nutritious foods because of ignorance about the importance of our traditional nutrient-rich diets and ecofriendly organic farming methods. This critical review emphasizes the importance of balance and adequate nutrition as well as the need to improve soil biodiversity and fertility: those are main causes behind the decline in nutritional density. There is also emphasis on a possible way out of alleviating the decline nutritional density of food crops for the health and well-being of future generations.

Evidencing the importance of the functional unit in comparative life cycle assessment of organic berry crops.

LCA methodology provides the best framework to evaluate environmental impacts in agriculture systems. However, the interpretation of LCA results, in particular when the objective was to compare different production systems, could be affected by the selection of the functional unit (FU). That is why an accurate definition of the FU, in agreement with the function considered for the systems analysed, is essential. In this work, the organic production at small scale of blueberry, raspberry, blackberry and cape gooseberry in North Spain has been analysed following LCA methodology. Although a different distribution of environmental loads was obtained for each crop, in all cases, the main contributions to most of the considered environmental categories were electric and fertiliser consumptions. The different production systems have been compared on the basis of the environmental impacts associated considering different FUs, i.e. based on fruit mass, cultivated area, farm-gate price and nutritional quality of fruits. Carbon footprints (CF) have been also calculated. It was observed that the order of the crops with respect to their environmental performances was the same for the blueberry and raspberry crops (with the lowest and the highest CF, respectively), independently of the selected FU, whereas the order of the blackberry and cape gooseberry crops was interchanged, depending on the FU used. This work supports the need of being aware of the final objective of the orchards when choosing the FU (i.e. producing fruits, cultivating an area, economic benefits or nourishing people), so that valid conclusions can be achieved from the environmental comparison, even for different agricultural products.

Nutrients Uptake and Fruit Yield of Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum Mill.) Produced Using Home Sorted and Municipal Organic Materials as Nutrient Sources.

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of the most popular crops with a unique role in human diets especially in Nigeria. Nutritional quality of fruit is a reflection of uptake by the plant. The study investigated the uptake of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium uptake by tomato with incorporation of home and municipal sorted solid waste. Screenhouse experiment was carried out at the College of Plant Science and Crop Production, while field experiment was conducted at the Directorate of University Farms, Federal University of Agriculture (Latitudes 7°13ʹN and 7°20ʹN and Longitudes 3°20ʹE and 3°28ʹE) during the early and late seasons of 2019. Roma VF and Ibadan-local varieties as test crop. The screenhouse experiment was factorial in Completely Randomized Design. The treatments were: composted municipal solid waste; composted home sorted waste; pyrolyzed municipal solid waste and pyrolyzed home sorted waste at the rate of 0, 5, 10 and 20 tha-1 each. The field experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with incorporation of waste treatments at 10 t ha-1, all in three replicates. The treatments mentioned above for screenhouse were also used for field experiment. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance and the means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (p&lt;0.05). The study was carried out in the wet and dry seasons. Nutrients (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) uptakes by plants were determined after laboratory analysis using nutrient concentration x dry matter (kg ha-1). Treatments had significant effects on the fruit yield of tomato. Composted home sorted waste at 5 t ha-1 resulted in highest uptake of nitrogen (5.32 mg kg-1), phosphorus (2.87 mg kg-1), potassium (26.10 mg kg-1) and magnesium (9.74 mg kg-1) in screenhouse compared with control and other treatments. Pyrolyzed wastes enhanced the fruit yield and nutrient uptake by plant relative to composted wastes in both seasons on the field. Pyrolyzed home sorted waste (PHSW) enhanced nitrogen uptake at early (186 kg ha-1) and late (108 kg ha-1) seasons. Pyrolyzed wastes (PHSW and PMSW) increased phosphorus uptake of 573 kg ha-1 and 507 kg ha-1 respectively in the early season while the highest phosphorus uptake of 339.6 kg ha-1 was observed with PHSW in the late season. Pyrolyzed municipal solid waste (PMSW) increased potassium uptake in both early (22.21 kg ha-1) and late (12.55 kg ha-1) seasons compared to control and other treatments applied. It was concluded that composted and pyrolyzed home sorted wastes improved the fruit yield and nutrient uptake in organic tomato production, and thus recommended for optimal production of tomato.

Investigating the tolerance of different strawberry cultivars to Botrytis cinerea infection and its relation with fruit quality

BACKGROUND: Strawberries are a delicate, high nutritional value fruit with an extremely short shelf life and high susceptibility to tissue infection, mainly by Botrytis cinerea. Control of the disease requires an extensive amount of fungicide that is applied in varying complexes because the pathogen easily develops resistance against the active compounds. Planting tolerant cultivars seems to be a promising alternative for fruit growers, but there are currently no cultivars available combining tolerance to B. cinerea with attractive horticultural traits. OBJECTIVE: In this study, four well-defined strawberry cultivars (‘Romina’, ‘Cristina’, ‘Silvia’, and ‘Sibilla’) were selected and tested under treatment with Botrytis cinerea to determine the tolerance of each cultivar and its association with fruit quality. METHODS: Fruits were harvested and then stored for four days after inoculation (treatment) or not (control) with spores of B. cinerea; then, every day the level of decay was detected, and fruits were frozen for successive evaluation of fruit quality. RESULTS: The ‘Silvia’ cultivar is the one that demonstrated a higher level of tolerance to Botrytis infection during the treatment, and the ‘Romina’ cultivar was the cultivar most susceptible to the treatment. The results of the study also highlighted qualitative changes in all strawberry cultivars infected with Botrytis cinerea, by a decrease in the soluble solids content and an increase of acids. Generally, in all cultivars, phenolic acids, and vitamin C decreased in both control and infected but there was a strong decrease in infected fruit compared to control. Anthocyanin content increased in control fruits but strongly decreased in infected. CONCLUSION: As a preliminary outcome, a positive correlation was obtained between fruit nutritional quality and tolerance to decay, as a high amount of nutritional compound content provides lower susceptibility of fruits to Botrytis cinerea. To confirm this result more studies need to be done.

Response of Tomato Quality and Yield to Elevated Temperatures under Controlled Environment

The experiment was carried out during 2020-2021 at the Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University. The experiment was carried out with the aim of characterization of contrasting tomato genotypes for high temperature tolerance under high temperature condition and control condition to identify key quality and yield traits controlling high temperature tolerance in tomato. The experiment was designed in completely randomized design (CRD) with 2 treatment levels- control and high temperature conditions (36+/-2oC) wherein 3 tolerant and 3 susceptible genotypes were selected for the study. These genotypes were selected from the summer varietal screening experiment performed during the summer months of 2021 from March to May. The best performing genotypes were selected in terms of pollen viability, leaf membrane thermo-stability, chlorophyll fluorescence, number of fruits, fruit set %. One set of treatment was maintained under ambient condition and the other set with high temperature stress was maintained under polyhouse facility from transplanting stage to the harvesting stage. The quality parameters and yield traits were analysed at the harvesting stage of the crop. From this study it can be understood that many of the quality parameters like lycopene content, total sugars, flavanol content was found decreasing in both tolerant and susceptible genotypes but the extend of this reduction was considerate in tolerant ones. In case of ascorbic acid content and firmness of fruit at the time of ripening these were found to be improved in heat stress (HS) conditions. Yield related qualities like number of fruits, yield per plant, and root-shoot ratio was found decreasing whereas root dry weight, total dry weight and intensity of fruit drop and flower drop was increased under HS. Therefore, this study focused on tomato genotypes reported to be resilient to high-temperature stress, and comparing them to the susceptible cultivars under stress and control settings for analyzing the variations in terms of quality and yield traits in tropical hot climate regions of India. The study performed here highlights the possibility for future breeding programs utilizing the key quality and yield traits enhancing thermo-tolerance in tomato and to develop new genotypes that can combine good yield performances and fruit nutritional quality at high temperatures.

Light quality regulates plant biomass and fruit quality through a photoreceptor-dependent HY5-LHC/CYCB module in tomato

Abstract Increasing photosynthesis and light capture offers possibilities for improving crop yield and provides a sustainable way to meet the increasing global demand for food. However, the poor light transmittance of transparent plastic films and shade avoidance at high planting density seriously reduce photosynthesis and alter fruit quality in vegetable crops, and therefore it is important to investigate the mechanisms of light signaling regulation of photosynthesis and metabolism in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Here, a combination of red, blue, and white (R1W1B0.5) light promoted the accumulation of chlorophyll, carotenoid, and anthocyanin, and enhanced photosynthesis and electron transport rates by increasing the density of active reaction centers and the expression of the genes LIGHT-HARVESTING COMPLEX B (SlLHCB) and A (SlLHCA), resulting in increased plant biomass. In addition, R1W1B0.5 light induced carotenoid accumulation and fruit ripening by decreasing the expression of LYCOPENE β-CYCLASE (SlCYCB). Disruption of SlCYCB largely induced fruit lycopene accumulation, and reduced chlorophyll content and photosynthesis in leaves under red, blue, and white light. Molecular studies showed that ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (SlHY5) directly activated SlCYCB, SlLHCB, and SlLHCA expression to enhance chlorophyll accumulation and photosynthesis. Furthermore, R1W1B0.5 light-induced chlorophyll accumulation, photosynthesis, and SlHY5 expression were largely decreased in the slphyb1cry1 mutant. Collectively, R1W1B0.5 light noticeably promoted photosynthesis, biomass, and fruit quality through the photoreceptor (SlPHYB1 and SlCRY1)-SlHY5-SlLHCA/B/SlCYCB module in tomato. Thus, the manipulation of light environments in protected agriculture is a crucial tool to regulate the two vital agronomic traits related to crop production efficiency and fruit nutritional quality in tomato.

Effect of wild genotype on strawberry fruit nutritional quality in UNIVPM breeding program

Effect of wild genotype on strawberry fruit nutritional quality in UNIVPM breeding program

Foliar spraying magnesium promotes soluble sugar accumulation by inducing the activities of sucrose biosynthesis and transport in citrus fruits

Accumulation of soluble sugars promotes the formation of fruit nutritional quality and flavor while proper application of Magnesium (Mg) can increase the sugar content in citrus fruits. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. In the present study by using ‘Huagan No.2′ (Citrus reticulate cv. Huagan No.2) as research material, foliar spraying of MgSO4 with two or three times was performed during the fruit expansion period. Results indicated that foliar spraying of Mg significantly increased the total soluble solids (TSS), as well as the contents of sucrose, fructose and glucose in fruits; moreover, the activities of sucrose metabolizing enzymes including sucrose synthase (SS), sucrose phosphate synthesis (SPS) and acid invertase (AI), as well as the transcript levels of SS2, SPS1–3 and vacuolar acid invertase gene (VINV) were significantly increased in the Mg-treated fruits. In addition, the transcript levels of the sucrose transport-related gene (SUT3) and the vacuolar pyrophosphate proton pump type I genes (CsVPP-1 and CsVPP-2) in the fruits were also significantly increased by Mg treatment. These results were further verified by soaking the fruit-bearing branches in 0.5% MgSO4 solution. In conclusion, foliar spraying Mg with two or three times promotes soluble sugar accumulation in fruits through enhancing the sink strength by inducing the activity of sucrose synthase via inducing SS2 transcript level, and improving sucrose transport ability by inducing transcript levels of SUT3, CsVPP-1, CsVPP-2 and VINV.