Fruit Quality Responses Research Articles

Diurnal High Temperatures Affect the Physiological Performance and Fruit Quality of Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cv. Legacy.

In this study, the physiological performance and fruit quality responses of the highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) cultivar Legacy to high temperatures (HTs) were evaluated in a field experiment. Three-year-old V. corymbosum plants were exposed to two temperature treatments between fruit load set and harvest during the 2022/2023 season: (i) ambient temperature (AT) and (ii) high temperature (HT) (5 °C ± 1 °C above ambient temperature). A chamber covered with transparent polyethylene (100 µm thick) was used to apply the HT treatment. In our study, the diurnal temperature was maintained with a difference of 5.03 °C ± 0.12 °C between the AT and HT treatments. Our findings indicated that HT significantly decreased CO2 assimilation (Pn) by 45% and stomatal conductance (gs) by 35.2% compared to the AT treatment. By contrast, the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) showed higher levels (about 6%) in HT plants than in AT plants. Fruit quality analyses revealed that the fruit weight and equatorial diameter decreased by 39% and 13%, respectively, in the HT treatment compared to the AT treatment. By contrast, the firmness and total soluble solids (TSS) were higher in the HT treatment than in the AT treatment. Meanwhile, the titratable acidity showed no changes between temperature treatments. In our study, Pn reduction could be associated with stomatal and non-stomatal limitations under HT treatment. Although these findings improve our understanding of the impact of HTs on fruit growth and quality in V. corymbosum, further biochemical and molecular studies are need.

Response of Fruit Growth and Quality to the Spray of Plant Growth Regulator in Yellow-fleshed Kiwifruits

Response of Fruit Growth and Quality to the Spray of Plant Growth Regulator in Yellow-fleshed Kiwifruits

The fruit quality and nutrient content of kiwifruit produced by organic versus chemical fertilizers.

Currently, organic farming has become a feasible approach for the production of high-quality fruits. To evaluate the response of fruit quality and mineral nutrition contents of Hayward Kiwifruit affected by different organic and inorganic fertilizers, the present study was conducted in Citrus and Subtropical Fruits Research Center, Iran, in 2017-2021, as a randomized block design with three replications. The studied treatments were organic fertilizers (cow, vermicompost and Azolla) and chemical fertilizers. After 4 years of fertilization, the fruit's nutritional elements content and some fruit bioactive compounds were evaluated after 3 months of cold storage and then analyzed by the principal component analysis (PCA) method. The use of organic amendments boosted the calcium, phosphorus, potassium and iron content of the kiwifruits compared to chemical fertilizers. The highest fruit potassium and phosphorus content were recorded in the cow manure treatment. The lowest amount of nitrate and the highest calcium, zinc, copper and manganese accumulation were recorded in the fruits treated with vermicompost. In addition to mineral nutrients, the dry matter, total soluble solids, total phenolic and antioxidant capacity of kiwifruit were improved by the application of vermicompost amendment compared to the other fertilizer sources. However, the highest fruit vitamin C and total soluble carbohydrates were measured in the cow manure treatment. The PCA results of the fruit quality indices indicated that fertilization treatments were ranked as vermicompost (1.88) > cow manure (1.63) = chemical (1.60) > Azolla (1.54). It is concluded that the application of 40 kg of vermicompost or 40 kg of cow manure in the next rank in Hayward kiwifruit orchards in March (growth stage beginning of bud swelling) may be a more suitable approach for improving the nutritional quality of the fruit. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Silicon on the Fruit Quality and Disease Response to Gummy Stem Blight in Cucumber

Gumm y stem blight (GSB) caused by Stagonosporopsis cucurbitacearum is the most destructive fungal disease affecting cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) production. In Thailand, cucumber is one of the most popularly marketed vegetables and the cultivation of cucumbers or Cucurbitaceae often face impact epidemics and insect infestation. Furthermore, global climatic or climate change affects crop production too, which increases the frequency and severity of disease and pest outbreaks. Silicon (Si) enhances plant resistance against insect pests and fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases although Si is not the only beneficial element for plants but also it does play an important role in improving plant health and increasing resistance against pests and diseases. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of Si-application at two levels i.e., 50 ppm, and 100 ppm on yield, yield components, aroma, Si-concentration and disease response of cucumber under greenhouse condition in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Results, when compared with control, depicted that the highest fruit weight, marketable yield, fruit length, fruit width, and pith length were found under 50 ppm Si. Moreover, higher Si-levels resulted in increased aroma in rind (exocarp) and increased percentage of Si-concentrations in rind (exocarp), leaves, and shoot. Further in this research, the response of Gummy stem blight disease (GSB) in cucumber was also investigated the response of. The taxonomic identification of Stagonosporopsis cucurbitacearum was confirmed based on the evidence from morpho-molecular analyses and the pathogenicity test was performed to confirm its potential pathogenicity. The results showed that the varying treatments of Si affects the disease development. The 50 ppm Si caused the lowest disease response on cucumber fruits. This study can be used as a guideline for modifying Si-fertilizer application inputs to plants to increase disease resistance and fruit quality.

Transcriptome analysis of sugar and acid metabolism in young tomato fruits under high temperature and nitrogen fertilizer influence.

Environmental temperature and nitrogen (N) fertilizer are two important factors affecting the sugar and organic acid content of tomato fruit. N is an essential nutrient element for plant growth and development, and plays a key role in regulating plant growth, fruit quality and stress response. However, the comparative effect of different N fertilizer levels on the accumulation of soluble sugar and organic acid in tomato young fruit under high temperature stress and its mechanism are still unknown. Three N fertilizer levels (N1, N2, N3) combined with two temperatures (28/18°C, CK; 35/25°C, HT) were used to study the effects of N fertilizer, HT and their interaction on the soluble sugar and organic acid components, content, metabolic enzyme activity and the expression level of key genes in tomato young fruit, revealing how N fertilizer affects the sugar and organic acid metabolism of tomato young fruit under HT at physiological and molecular levels. The content of soluble sugar and organic acid in tomato young fruit under HT exposure was increased by appropriate N fertilizer (N1) treatment, which was due to the accumulation of glucose, fructose, citric acid and malic acid. High N (N3) and HT exposure had a negative impact on soluble sugar and reduce sugar accumulation. Further studies showed that due to the up-regulation of the expression of sucrose metabolizing enzyme genes (CWINV2, HK2, SPS, PK) and sucrose transporter (SUT1, SUT4, SWEETs) in tomato, N fertilizer increased the accumulation of soluble sugar by improving the sucrose metabolism, absorption intensity and sucrose transport of fruit under HT exposure. Due to the increase of PEPC gene expression, N fertilizer increased the accumulation of citric acid and malic acid by improving the TCA cycle of fruit under HT exposure. Nitrogen fertilizer can improve the heat tolerance of tomato young fruits by improving sugar metabolism under HT exposure. The results can provide theoretical support for the correct application of N fertilizer to improve the quality of tomato fruit under HT exposure.

Ethylene perception influences the chilling injury and SlCBF1 gene expression during cold storage of tomato fruit

Endogenous and exogenous ethylene were reported to positively regulate the cold tolerance, and mitigate the chilling injury (CI) damage of stored tomato fruit. However, the involvement of ethylene perception in cold resistance is still unclear and needs further investigation in postharvest fruit. Here, we used Never ripen (Nr) and wild-type (WT) tomato fruit as inhibited- and normal-ethylene perception models to investigate how inhibiting ethylene perception affected fruit quality and cold responses of stored tomato fruit. Results showed that inhibiting ethylene perception deteriorated fruit quality and aggravated cell membrane damage of tomato fruit during cold storage. In comparison with WT fruit, Nr fruit accumulated higher relative oxygen species but maintained lower activities of antioxidant enzymes. Besides, endogenous abscisic acid, methyl jasmonate, and gibberellin levels in Nr fruit were lower, whereas brassinolide contents were higher than those in WT fruit. Moreover, a lack of ethylene perception was preceded by the decrease in cold-induced upregulation of SlCBF1 gene expression, while no significant difference in the transcription of SlICE1 gene was observed between WT and Nr fruit. This study demonstrated that inhibiting ethylene perception increased the cold susceptibility of tomato fruit, suggesting that ethylene perception played a crucial role in maintaining fruit quality during cold storage.

Fruit quality and photosynthetic response of three cultivars of mango (Mangifera indica L.) in a greenhouse in south of Italy

Fruit quality and photosynthetic response of three cultivars of mango (<i>Mangifera indica</i> L.) in a greenhouse in south of Italy

Integrated model simulates bigger, sweeter tomatoes under changing climate under reduced nitrogen and water input.

When simulating the response of fruit growth and quality to environmental factors and cultivation practices, the interactions between the mother plant and fruit need to be considered as a whole system. Here, we developed the integrative Tomato plant and fruit Growth and Fruit Sugar metabolism (TGFS) model by coupling equations describing the biophysical processes of leaf gas exchange, water transport, carbon allocation, organ growth and fruit sugar metabolism. The model also accounts for effects of soil nitrogen and atmospheric CO2 concentration on gaseous exchange of water and carbon by the leaf. With different nitrogen and water input values, TGFS performed well at simulating the dry mass of the tomato leaf, stem, root, and fruit, and the concentrations of soluble sugar and starch in fruit. TGFS simulations showed that increasing air temperature and CO2 concentration has positive effects on fruit growth, but not on sugar concentrations. Further model-based analyses of cultivation scenarios suggest that, in the context of climate change, decreasing N by 15%-25% and decreasing irrigation by 10%-20% relative to current levels would increase tomato fresh weight by 27.8%-36.4% while increasing soluble sugar concentration by up to 10%. TGFS provides a promising tool to optimise N and water inputs for sustainable high-quality tomatoes.

Response of fruit yield, fruit quality, and water productivity to different irrigation levels for a microsprinkler-irrigated apple orchard (cv. Fuji) growing under Mediterranean conditions

Irrigation management strategies based on soil–plant–climate interactions are the key to improving water productivity and maintaining optimum yield and quality for apple orchards growing under Mediterranean conditions where water availability for irrigation is significantly decreasing. Thus, an experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different irrigation levels on the yield, fruit quality, and water status of microsprinkler-irrigated apple trees (Malus domestica ‘Fuji’) located in a Mediterranean region in the central part of Chile. Four irrigation treatments were applied to a commercial orchard during the 2011/12 and 2013/14 growing seasons as follows: 125%, 100%, 75%, and 50% of actual evapotranspiration (ETa). Fruit yield (Y), crop load (fruits per tree, FP), fruit size (fruit weight (FW) and fruit diameter (FD)), fruit quality (firmness (FF), contents of soluble solids (SS), and starch (ST)), water productivity (WP), midday stem water potential (Ψstem), and water stress integral (WSI) were measured in each growing season. The results indicate that trees at 125% and 100% ETa reached an average Ψstem near − 1.0 MPa, whereas trees at 75% and 50% ETa reached Ψstem ∼ − 1.5 MPa. With the exception of FP, irrigation treatment had significant effects on Y, FW, FD, FF, SS, ST and WP. In this regard, the apple trees irrigated at 50% ETa produced fruits with the highest SS, FF, and WP, but the Y and fruit size (FW and FD) were significantly reduced because of severe water stress (average Ψstem ranged from −1.35 to −1.88 MPa). Apple trees with the 100% and 125% ETa treatments produced higher Y, FW, and FD than those with the 75% ETa treatment. In addition, the irrigation amount for apple trees irrigated at 125% ETa was 15% greater than for those irrigated at 100% ETa, but the yield and fruit quality were similar in both treatments. Finally, this study suggested that irrigation scheduling based on 100% ETa and Ψstem closed to − 1.5 MPa could be a suitable strategy for microsprinkler-irrigated apple (cv. Fuji) orchards growing in Mediterranean climate areas.

The Main Morphological Characteristics and Chemical Components of Fruits and the Possibilities of Their Improvement in Raspberry Breeding

Raspberry is a delicious fruit with important nutritional and health properties for consumers. The efficiency of achieving raspberry breeding aims such as productivity, fruit quality, and adequate response to stressors, etc., depends directly on knowledge of the inheritance of traits and genetic factors of influence and their pragmatic use. In this study, the main morphological characteristics and chemical components of fruits of 24 raspberry genotypes were studied in a comparative field trial; 14 were promising selections and the other 10 included their parental forms (Autumn Bliss, Glen Moy, Glen Prosen, Opal, Pathfinder, Titan, Tulameen, Veten, Willamette) and Glen Ample cultivar, which was used as control. The results highlighted significant differences and a large variation among the genotypes (between 2.40 and 4.90 g for fruit weight, 0.19–0.47 kg/cane for yield, 50–106 for drupelets/fruit, 10.0–12.7% for dry matter, 0.23–2.00% pectin, 1.61–2.72% glucose, etc.). The inheritance of the analyzed traits, considered quantitative, was different, but a low heritability was recorded for non-marketable fruits and the number of drupelets in fruit. In several hybrid selections, negative heterosis prevailed, highlighting the breeding difficulties of the important desired traits of the species. The values of heterosis and the broad-sense and narrow-sense heritability of some traits demonstrate that, through judiciously choosing parents, raspberry breeding in the desired direction can be successful.

Response of Fruit Productivity and Quality, Soil Physicochemical Properties and Microbiota to Nitrogen Reduction and Grass Mulching in Pomelo Orchard

Response of Fruit Productivity and Quality, Soil Physicochemical Properties and Microbiota to Nitrogen Reduction and Grass Mulching in Pomelo Orchard

Yield and Fruit Quality Response of Pomegranate (Punica granatum) to Foliar Spray of Potassium, Calcium and Kaolin

To study the effect of potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate and kaolin (Aluminum silicate) on pomegranate cv. Wonderful, this study was conducted during 2020–2021 to investigate the possibility of minimizing the percentages of sunburn and fruit cracking and ameliorating the yield and fruit quality of pomegranate during the aforementioned period. Four sprays consisting of potassium nitrate at 1%, 2% and 3%, calcium nitrate at 2%, 3% and 4%, kaolin at 2%, 4% and 6% and water only (control) were sprayed on pomegranate trees during May, July, and August. The results showed that through spraying the fruit at set percentages, fruit yield was greatly increased through the spraying of potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate and kaolin, particularly the application of potassium nitrate at 3% and 4% and kaolin at 6% as opposed to than the other percentages. In addition, the percentages of fruit cracking and sunburn were markedly lessened by the application of calcium nitrate at 4% and 6% and also by kaolin at 6%. Moreover, the fruit content from TSS, total sugars and anthocyanin, was improved through the spraying of potassium nitrate at 2% and 3%, whereas the fruit weight and firmness were improved by the application of calcium nitrate at 4% and kaolin at 6%.

Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Fruit Quality Response of Blueberry to Different Mulches

Mulch is widely used in blueberry cultivation for weed control; however, there is still uncertainty as to how the use of different types of mulch alters leaf photosynthetic behavior and the quality and productivity of blueberry fruit. The objective of our research was to evaluate the effect of different types of mulch on the physiological, quality and yield characteristics of blueberries. Three treatments were established: T1 (control), T2 (pine bark) and T3 (geotextile) in two cultivars: Ochlockonee and Legacy. The parameters measured were: the photochemical quantum yield of photosystem II (YII), the maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), electron transport rate (ETR), fruit quality and yield parameters. The results show lower soil temperature in T1 during the morning (p &lt; 0.05) compared to the two mulch treatments, which was the opposite during the afternoon, the temperatures were more stable and closer to the optimum (21 °C) in T2 and T3, with mulch favoring root and foliar development. On the other hand, the treatments with mulch favored a higher photosynthetic efficiency of photosystem II (YII) at the end of afternoon and were associated with an increased firmness of the fruit; the firmness of all fruits was higher than that in the control treatment (p &lt; 0.05) in the Legacy cultivar, but without differences between them, with values of 73 and 75 gf mm−1 for T2 and T3, respectively, and 67 gf mm−1 for the Control. In addition, it was observed that the use of mulch only increased the fruit yield in the Legacy cultivar, both in T2 and T3, with both being superior to T1 (p &lt; 0.05). It can be concluded that the use of mulch decreases soil temperature in the midday and late afternoon, improving the edaphoclimatic conditions during the development of the blueberry. In addition, plants with mulch have lower stomatal conductance, which promotes greater photosynthetic efficiency during the day, increasing both firmness and fruit yield.

Comparative proteomic analysis of wild-type and a SlETR-3 (Nr) mutant reveals an ethylene-induced physiological regulatory network in fresh-cut tomatoes

Ethylene plays a crucial role in regulating fruit ripening, quality, and defense response. However, the mechanism(s) responsible for wound-induced ethylene regulation of fruit physiology at a network level is unclear. We used mass spectrometry (MS) to identify differences in the physiological response between fresh-cut fruits of wild-type (WT) tomato and an ethylene receptor mutant (SlETR-3) (also referred to as Nr) during storage. We found that Nr mutants exhibited better appearance and quality, as well as higher ethylene levels during the first 3 d of storage at 4 °C. Thirty-seven (0 h), eighty-two (12 h) and twelve (24 h) differentially abundant proteins were identified between the fresh-cut slices of the two genotypes during storage at the designated timepoints. In particular, antioxidant enzymes, such as ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and peroxiredoxin were highly expressed in WT fruit, which was associated with higher H2O2 production, and high levels of transcription of cell-wall degrading enzymes. Leucine aminopeptidase, a marker enzyme for response to wounding exhibited higher levels in the Nr mutant, which is consistent with its higher production of ethylene. Collectively, our results provide a deeper insight into the ethylene-induced physiological regulatory network that is activated in fresh-cut tomatoes.

Response of Yield and Fruit Quality to Foliar Application of Micronutrients in Lemon [Citrus limon (L.) Burm.] cv. Assam Lemon

Assam lemon [Citrus limon (L.) Burm.], an indigenous lemon cultivar of Assam, is widely cultivated in warm southern slopes of the Himalayas in North-Eastern India. Since this cultivar of lemon is having a prominent trait of bearing fruits in several flushes throughout the year, it is essential to provide sufficient nutrition for obtaining optimum yield with good quality fruits. In the current experiment, a randomized block design having twelve treatments with three replications was followed to find out the response of lemon fruit yield and quality to foliar application of micronutrients during the year 2019. Among all, the treatment ZnSO4 (0.2%) + FeSO4 (0.2%) + Borax (0.2%) + CuSO4 (0.2%) gave the best performance in improving the yield and quality of fruits. The highest number of fruits per plant at the time of harvesting (73), yield per plant (11.5 kg), fruit fresh weight (158 g), fruit length (9.60 cm), fruit diameter (5.80 cm), juice content (152 mL/fruit), TSS (6.40 °B), ascorbic acid (49.10 mg/100g), total sugar (6.30%), reducing sugar (3.90%), non-reducing sugar (2.40%) with lowest titratable acidity(3.13%) were obtained which revealed that the yield and fruit quality of lemon depends on the application of different micronutrients.

Yield, Net Return and Fruit Quality Response of Melon to Deficit Irrigation

Yield, Net Return and Fruit Quality Response of Melon to Deficit Irrigation

Growth, yield, and fruit quality responses of three cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) varieties to different ethephon concentrations

The decline in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) production in Indonesia was correlated with sex ratio imbalance. Therefore, ethephon could be used to retard vegetative growth and modify the sex ratio of the cucumber plant towards femaleness to increase yield. This regulator also has the ability to increase fruit quality. The objective of this research was to investigate the growth, yield, and fruit quality responses of three cucumber varieties to different ethephon concentrations. A factorial randomized block design was used and consisted of cucumber variety (Vanesa, Mars, and Roberto) and ethephon concentration (no ethephon, 150 ppm, and 300 ppm). Each treatment was replicated three times. The results revealed that 150 ppm of ethephon reduced vegetative growth and increased the number of female flowers, sex ratio, fruit diameter, and marketable fruits. Roberto variety had the highest sex ratio, fruit length, total carotenoid, flavonoid, and phenolic content. The interaction effect showed that Roberto with 150 ppm of ethephon exhibited the best in male flower number and fruit weight per plant. Overall, the ethephon treatment at 150 ppm and Roberto variety were recommended to increase the yield and quality of cucumber.

S1-bZIP Transcription Factors Play Important Roles in the Regulation of Fruit Quality and Stress Response.

Sugar metabolism not only determines fruit sweetness and quality but also acts as signaling molecules to substantially connect with other primary metabolic processes and, therefore, modulates plant growth and development, fruit ripening, and stress response. The basic region/leucine zipper motif (bZIP) transcription factor family is ubiquitous in eukaryotes and plays a diverse array of biological functions in plants. Among the bZIP family members, the smallest bZIP subgroup, S1-bZIP, is a unique one, due to the conserved upstream open reading frames (uORFs) in the 5′ leader region of their mRNA. The translated small peptides from these uORFs are suggested to mediate Sucrose-Induced Repression of Translation (SIRT), an important mechanism to maintain sucrose homeostasis in plants. Here, we review recent research on the evolution, sequence features, and biological functions of this bZIP subgroup. S1-bZIPs play important roles in fruit quality, abiotic and biotic stress responses, plant growth and development, and other metabolite biosynthesis by acting as signaling hubs through dimerization with the subgroup C-bZIPs and other cofactors like SnRK1 to coordinate the expression of downstream genes. Direction for further research and genetic engineering of S1-bZIPs in plants is suggested for the improvement of quality and safety traits of fruit.

Impact of plant growth regulators spray on fruit quantity and quality of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars grown under plastic tunnels

The study aims to investigate the effect of foliar spray with three plant growth regulators (PGRs) p-Chlorophenoxyacetic acid (CPA) at 20 and 40 ppm; Gibberellic acid (GA3) at 20 and 30 ppm, 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) at 10 and 20 ppm on the response of fruit set, yield, and fruit quality of some hot pepper cultivars (Chillina, Parbirian, Shampion, and Hyffa) grown in sandy soil under plastic tunnels as compared to the control. Spraying Chillina cultivar GA3 at 30 ppm significantly increased the number of fruits/ plant and fruit set (%), yield/plant, and total yield/fad. In addition, the contents of TSS and Vit C, furthermore, maximum capsaicin content were observed in chili fruits in both seasons. However, the interaction between Chillina cultivar and spraying with GA3 at 20 ppm ranked second in yield and quality. The interaction between Parbirian cultivars and spraying with GA3 at 20 or 30 ppm increased the number of flowers/plants in both seasons. On the other hand, the interaction between Shampion cultivar and spraying with tap water (control) gave the lowest values of the number of flowers/ plants, the number of fruits/ plant and fruit set (%), yield, and its components, and fruit quality in both seasons.

Fruit quality response to varying leaf area to fruit ratio on girdled branches and whole trees of ‘Bellise’ sweet cherry (Prunus aviumL.)

ISHS IV International Symposium on Horticulture in Europe - SHE2021 Fruit quality response to varying leaf area to fruit ratio on girdled branches and whole trees of 'Bellise' sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.)