Hard Fruit Research Articles

Biological and Molecular Characterization of a New Isolate of Tomato Mottle Mosaic Virus Causing Severe Shoestring and Fruit Deformities in Tomato Plants in India

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), the second most important vegetable crop globally, faces a significant threat from various viral diseases. A newly emerging disease, characterised by distinctive shoestring symptoms on leaves and the development of unripe, small, and hard fruit, poses a serious challenge to tomato cultivation in India. An initial survey in an experimental field revealed more than 50% of the plants displayed symptoms of the shoestring disease, resulting in substantial reductions in fruit yield and quality. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and molecular analyses identified an isolate of the tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV) in the affected plants. When the partially purified virus was mechanically inoculated into tomato cv. Pusa Ruby plants, it reproduced the characteristic shoestring symptoms, confirming its causal relationship with the disease. Notably, the present shoestring isolate of ToMMV (ToMMV-Tss) was found to induce similar shoestring symptoms in most of the major commercial tomato varieties when inoculated under controlled experimental conditions in the glasshouse, indicating its aggressive nature. Host range studies demonstrated that the ToMMV-Tss can infect several solanaceous species, while cucurbitaceous hosts remained unaffected. Moreover, the virus was found to be seed-transmissible, with a small percentage of seedlings from infected plants displaying symptoms. These findings underscore the significant impact of ToMMV on tomato production in India and emphasise the need for reliable diagnostic tools and effective management strategies to curb the spread and mitigate the impact of this virus on commercial tomato cultivation.

Analysis of Microstructure, Cell Wall Polysaccharides, and Candidate Cell Wall-related Genes in Clingstone-type and Freestone-type Stony Hard Peaches during Ripening

Stony hard (SH) peach (Prunus persica) fruits produce no ethylene and clingstone-type SH peaches have a crispy flesh texture; however, freestone-type SH peach fruits ripen to a soft, mealy state. During this study, we compared and analyzed changes in the microstructure, cell wall polysaccharides, and candidate cell wall-related genes of freestone-type SH ‘Zhongtao 14’ (‘CP14’), ‘Zhongtao White Jade 2’ (‘CPWJ2’), clingstone-type SH ‘Zhongtao 13’ (‘CP13’), and ‘Zhongtao 9’ (‘CP9’) during fruit ripening. The parenchyma cells of mealy freestone-type SH peaches became detached, were single, dried, and irregularly arranged, and remained intact in comparison with the nonmealy clingstone-type SH peaches. Methyl-esterified homogalacturonan was strongly immunolabeled in the cell wall of clingstone SH peaches; however, nonmethylated homogalacturonan was weakly immunolabeled in freestone SH peaches. A transcriptome analysis was performed to investigate the molecular mechanism of the mealiness process. A principal component analysis indicated that ‘CP14’ S4 III (mealy) could be distinguished from the samples of ‘CP13’ (S4 I, S4 II, S4 III) and ‘CP14’ (S4 I, S4 II). The highly coexpressed gene modules linked with firmness were found using a weighted gene coexpression network analysis; 189 upregulated genes and 817 downregulated genes were identified. Six upregulated cell wall-related genes (PpPG1, PpPG2, PpAGP1, PpAGP2, PpEXT1, and PpEXP1) and one downregulated cell wall-related gene (PpXET2) were involved in the mealiness process during freestone-type SH fruit ripening. These findings will improve our understanding of the relationship between clingstone, freestone, and stony hard fruits and lay the foundation for further exploration of the mechanisms underlying the softening of peach fruits.

구석기시대 사용된 자갈돌의 시론적 연구

Paleolithic people made and used tools from a variety of materials, including stone, bone, antler, and wood. In particular, based on stone tools found in Paleolithic sites, many researchers have made an effort to reveal the function of the site and the life and culture of the people. It has found not only cores, flakes, retouched tools, but also pebbles that were not retouched but had traces by use in Paleolithic sites. Although utilized pebbles have been continuously used in the Paleolithic, they have not been treated much as a subject of research. So we will try to understand various functions of utilized pebbles through use-wear analysis, experiments, and ethnographic research. There are many different types of utilized pebbles in Paleolithic sites, but they can be largely categorized as hammer stones, anvil stones, pitted stones, and ground stones. Hammer stones can be used alone or in combination with other tools. It is generally assumed that they were used to make stone tools, but they were used for a variety of purposes. Anvil stones were used alone as hammer stones for knapping big stones, or such as bipolar debitage in combination with hammer stones, or to crack bones or hard fruits. Pitted stones have the function of both a hammer and an anvil. Depending on the size and depth of the pits formed on the pebble, it can be assumed that it was used for various functions, such as making stone tools and breaking hard fruits, nuts. Ground stones have grinding or stripe traces on the surface, and it is likely that they were used to work with leather, bone, and antler. Utilized Pebbles had been used as tools by people for a long time since the Paleolithic and reflected the technology, activities, and culture of the people at that time. Various types of utilized pebbles, including hammer and anvil stones, have been identified in Paleolithic sites on the Korean Peninsula. If studies on the utilized pebbles are accumulated, it is expected that we have dynamic interpretations related to the technological and economic activities of Paleolithic people.

PENGARUH KONSENTRASI DAN LAMA PERENDAMAN ATONIK TERHADAP PERKECAMBAHAN BENIH ROTAN JERNANG (Daemonorops draco Blume.)

Jernang rattan is produced from a palm species surface layer of fruit by resine with dark red. Jernang rattan cultivation has several obstacles due to limiteation of seed availability, low seed production, and has technical problems in the form of hard fruit skin. This study aimed to studied the effect of the interaction of atonic concentration and soaking time for jernang rattan seeds on their germination. There were two factors in this study: Atonic concentration treatment (5 levels) and soaking time (3 levels). The results show that increasing the germination of Jernang rattan seeds can be done using an atonic concentration of 15 ppm and soaking for 1 hour. This is because it provides better results on research variables.

Marker–Trait Association for Protein Content among Maize Wild Accessions and Coix Using SSR Markers

Teosinte is the closest wild ancestor of maize and is used as a valuable resource for taxonomical, evolutionary and genetic architectural studies of maize. Teosinte is also a repository of numerous diverse alleles for complex traits, including nutritional value and stress adaptation. Accessions including teosintes, maize inbred lines and coix were investigated for kernel protein and its association with DNA markers. The proposed investigation assumed that wild accessions had different genic/allelic content and consequently expression profile than modern maize because of the domestication syndrome and bottleneck effects. Total protein content in hard stony fruit case teosinte accessions were assessed from kernels with and without seed coats, while protein content from coix and maize lines was evaluated from kernels only. The accessions were also subjected to molecular profiling using 84 SSR markers, and obtained genotypic data were used for population structure and association analysis. The results emphasize that teosintes have higher protein content (18.5% to 26.29%), followed by coix (18.26%), and the least among maize lines (9% to 11%). Among teosintes, without-seed-coat samples had 3–6% higher protein content than with-seed-coat samples. When compared to other teosinte species, Z. mays subsp. mexicana accessions showed higher protein content, ranging from 18.62% to 26.29%. All evaluated accessions were divided into four subpopulations with K = 4, and seven significant (p < 0.01) marker–trait associations were seen with umc1294, umc1171, phi091, umc2182 and bnlg292 markers, which are distributed across chromosomes 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9, respectively. We have observed that the wild relatives carry protein content-enhancing alleles and can be used as productive donor parents in pre-breeding efforts to increase the protein content of maize.

The metagenomics of soil bacteria and fungi and the release of mechanical dormancy in hard seeds.

Persistence in the soil is a function of seed physiology, particularly non-germination and inherent lifespan. However, for seeds with mechanical dormancy, non-germination is also a function of the composition and activity of the soil microbiota. We attempted to screen out microorganisms in the soil that can specifically and rapidly decompose the hard fruit pericarps of Tilia miqueliana Maxim., a unique native tree species in China. Using the classical replica plating method, more than 100 different culturable microorganisms that could rapidly erode the pericarp were collected from the surface of pericarps under different culture conditions. At the same time, we successfully extended the concept of metagenomics and applied it to the identification of mixed artificial cultures. The decomposition process of the pericarps in soil was also simulated artificially. The physical and chemical data suggested a potential mechanism of microbial scarification and cracking in pericarp, whilst the embryos inside the eroded fruits retained good viability. Our discoveries could pave the way for the removal of physical and mechanical obstacles that prevent hard coat seeds from germinating. We anticipate that the use of this technology will improve the germination of other hard coat seeds. More research is needed to investigate the impacts on other seeds. The findings of this research can inform the design of experiments on the seed ecology of persistence.

Multiproxy approach to reconstruct fossil primate feeding behavior: Case study for macaque from the Plio-Pleistocene site Guefaït-4.2 (eastern Morocco)

The genus Macaca belongs to Cercopithecidae (Old World monkeys), Cercopithecinae, Papionini. The presence of Macaca in North Africa is well known from the Late Miocene to the Late Pleistocene. However, the diet of fossil Macaca has been poorly described in the literature. In this study, we investigated the feeding habits of Macaca cf. sylvanus (n = 4) from the Plio-Pleistocene site Guefaït-4.2 in eastern Morocco through multiproxy analysis combining analyses of stable carbon and oxygen isotopes from tooth enamel, buccal microtexture, and low-magnification occlusal dental microwear. For both microwear analyses, we compared the macaques with a new reference collection of extant members of Cercopithecoidea. Our occlusal microwear results show for the fossil macaque a pattern similar to the extant Cercocebus atys and Lophocebus albigena, African forest-dwelling species that are characterized by a durophagous diet based mainly on hard fruit and seed intake. Buccal microtexture results also suggest the consumption of some grasses and the exploitation of more open habitats, similar to that observed in Theropithecus gelada. The δ13C of M. cf. sylvanus indicates a C3 based-diet without the presence of C4 plants typical of the savanna grassland in eastern Africa during this period. The high δ18O values of M. cf. sylvanus, compared with the contemporary ungulates recovered from Guefaït-4.2, could be associated with the consumption of a different resource by the primate such as leaves or fresh fruits from the upper part of trees. The complementarity of these methods allows for a dietary reconstruction covering a large part of the individual’s life.

SLAF marker based QTL mapping of fruit-related traits reveals a major-effect candidate locus ff2.1 for flesh firmness in melon

Flesh firmness (FF) is an important and complex trait for melon breeders and consumers. However, the genetic mechanism underlying FF is unclear. Here, a soft fruit melon (P5) and a hard fruit melon (P10) were crossed to generate F2, and the FF and fruit-related traits were recorded for two years. By performing quantitative trait locus (QTL) specific-locus amplified fragment (SLAF) (QTL-SLAF) sequencing and molecular marker-linkage analysis, 112 844 SLAF markers were identified, and 5 919 SNPs were used to construct a genetic linkage map with a total genetic distance of 1 356.49 cM. Ten FF- and fruit-related QTLs were identified. Consistent QTLs were detected for fruit length (FL) and fruit diameter (FD) in both years, and QTLs for single fruit weight (SFW) were detected on two separate chromosomes in both years. For FF, the consistent major locus (ff2.1) was located in a 0.17-Mb candidate region on chromosome 2. Using 429 F2 individuals derived from a cross between P5 and P10, we refined the ff2.1 locus to a 28.3-kb region harboring three functional genes. These results provide not only a new candidate QTL for melon FF breeding but also a theoretical foundation for research on the mechanism underlying melon gene function.

Morphological specialization to nectarivory in Phyllostomus discolor (Wagner, 1843) (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae).

Dedicated nectarivory is a derived feeding habit that requires specialized cranial and soft-tissue morphologies to extract nectar from flowers. Nectarivory has evolved many times in terrestrial vertebrates, and in four bat families (Pteropodidae, Phyllostomidae, Vespertilionidae, and Mystacinidae). Within phyllostomids, specializations to nectarivory have been well documented in two subfamilies, Glossophaginae and Lonchophyllinae. However, nectarivory has also evolved independently in the genus Phyllostomus (subfamily Phyllostominae). Since Phyllostomus species have an omnivorous diet with a high consumption of nectar, they can be used to explore the basic morphological modifications linked to evolving a nectarivorous habit. Here, we focused on describing and comparing the morphological features potentially associated with nectarivory in Phyllostomus discolor. We present the first detailed tongue and palate morphological descriptions for P. discolor and perform skull morphometric analysis including 10 species. We found hair-like papillae on the tongue of P. discolor, a convergent feature with Glossophaginae and nectarivorous Pteropodids; these papillae likely confer an advantage when feeding on nectar. P. discolor does not show skull morphological features characteristic of nectarivorous bats, such as a long and narrow snout. We pose that the consumption of a variety of food, such as hard insects and fruits, and the large size of P. discolor relative to specialized nectarivores may create trade-offs against morphological specialization of the skull towards nectarivory. In contrast, a long and mobile tongue with hair-like papillae may be an evolutionary solution for nectar extraction that does not have a major impact on this species' ability to feed on other resources.

Aux/IAA gene Cla004102, is involved in synergistic regulation of various endogenous hormones, regulating flesh firmness in watermelon

Fruit flesh firmness is the key trait of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) that affects fruit texture, commerciality, and shelf life. However, the knowledge about the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for variations in fruit flesh firmness is still limited. We constructed a near-isogenic line HWF with high fruit flesh firmness by crossing a wild watermelon PI 271769 as the donor parent and an inbred line 203Z as the recurrent parent. An F2 sub-segregation population was developed by crossing 203Z and HWF for bulked segregant analysis (BSA-seq). The results revealed a candidate region of 6.1Mb (Chr6: 11557845–17658672) containing the genes related to watermelon flesh firmness. RNA Sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis of the candidate region led to the identification of a candidate gene, Cla004102 (Aux/IAA), an auxin-responsive protein. The expression of Aux/IAA decreased with fruit developmental stages and a reduction in fruit flesh firmness was observed. Moreover, correlation analysis showed a high positive correlation of Aux/IAA with Cla004120, an ethylene-responsive factor1 (ERF1). The RT-qPCR analysis revealed a higher expression of Aux/IAA and ERF1 consistent with flesh firmness. Higher contents of abscisic acid (ABA) were observed in soft fleshed fruits than hard fleshed fruits. Further, applying exogenous ethylene to watermelon fruit reduced flesh firmness, and ABA content was increased much faster in ethylene-treated fruits than in the control. Interestingly, Aux/IAA expression was also decreased with the reduction in flesh firmness and inclined ABA contents. These findings add considerably to the existing knowledge about watermelon fruit flesh firmness. A more in-depth study would better understand watermelon's genetic mechanisms underlying flesh firmness.

Susceptibility of 'Malama' Avocados to Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Hawai'i and a Proposed Systems Approach for Market Access.

Avocados are generally poor hosts or nonhosts for tephritid fruit flies, which can influence the type of mitigation measures required by export protocols for trade. We conducted experiments to determine the susceptibility of the avocado, Persea americana, cv. 'Malama' to infestation by Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), in Hawai'i using laboratory and field no-choice cage tests, together with field sampling. In no-choice cage tests, infestation rates increased with decreasing fruit firmness over time after harvest. Although risk of infestation was negatively correlated with fruit firmness, about 50% of mature hard fruit exposed immediately after harvest became infested. In field cage tests, mature hard fruit on the tree at the 25% purple color stage were not infested, whereas fruit at the 50, 75, and 100% purple color stages were infested at relatively low rates. Field sampling of fallen 'Malama' fruit over two seasons showed no natural infestation by B. dorsalis and trap captures in avocado orchards using McPhail traps containing protein bait lures averaged 0.13 ± 0.03 (mean ± SE) flies per trap per week, underscoring the low prevalence of fruit flies in avocado orchards and the poor host quality of this cultivar. A systems approach based on poor host status, low prevalence, and a limited harvest period (October to March) and distribution area (northern tier states) is proposed to export 'Malama' avocados from Hawai'i to the continental United States.

The biochemical and physiological basis for hard cider apple fruit quality

Societal Impact StatementFermented “hard” cider is currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity. While there is a long history of cultivating apple trees with fruit quality characteristics intended specifically for cider production, there is a dearth of cider‐specific apple production in many emerging cider producing regions, such as North America. To help bolster the emerging cider industry and identify topics that warrant further research, this review article describes the biochemistry and physiology of apple fruit quality from a cider producing perspective.SummaryThe United States and Western Europe have a long history of alcoholic “hard” cider production made from the fermented juice of apples (Malus spp.), especially in regions where cultivation of European grapevines (Vitis vinifera) for wine was climatically limited. While all apples contain fermentable sugars, in many regions, cultivars were selected, named, and propagated specifically for fermentation. This review highlights fruit quality attributes that are important for cider production and that are distinct from fresh‐market apple fruit and wine grapes. Polyphenol profiles, yeast assimilable nitrogen composition, carbohydrates, organic acids, pectin, and volatile aroma compounds are discussed as they relate to cider quality.

1-methylcyclopropylene or methyl jasmonate-induced chilling tolerance in a stony hard peach cultivar

Chilling injury (CI) is a severe problem for peach fruit during cold storage. Application of 1-methylcyclopropylene (1-MCP) or methyl jasmonate (MeJA),can alleviate CI in melting flesh peach fruit. However, no information was available about 1-MCP or MeJA on chilling tolerance in stony hard peach fruit and their regulatory mechanisms. In this study, the effects of 10 μmol L−1 1-MCP or 10 μmol L−1 MeJA treatment on CI development, sucrose metabolism, and energy metabolism in stony hard peach fruit cv. ‘Yingshuanghong’ (YSH) were investigated during cold storage. The results showed that 10 μmol L−1 1-MCP or MeJA significantly inhibited the CI index, while MeJA was more effective. Also, both 1-MCP and MeJA treatments had a noticeable impact on energy and sucrose metabolisms. However, 1-MCP treatment was more effective in maintaining a stable and high energy status during cold storage, which might be contributed to alleviating CI. In contrast, MeJA treatment was more effective in regulating sucrose metabolism via activating sucrose synthesis and suppressing sucrose degradation at both the enzymatic and the transcript levels, which might play a crucial role in MeJA-induced cold tolerance. In general, ‘the 1-MCP or MeJA-induced chilling tolerance in stony hard peach fruit cv. ‘YSH’ was attributed to the activation of sucrose and mitochondrial energy metabolisms.

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Hard and Tender Fruit Spines of Cucumber to Identify Genes Involved in the Morphological Development of Fruit Spines.

The spines of cucumber fruit not only have important commercial value but are also a classical tissue to study cell division and differentiation modes of multicellular trichomes. It has been reported that CsTs (C-type Lectin receptor-like kinase) can influence the development of fruit spines. In this study, we took a pair of cucumber materials defined as hard (Ts, wild type) and tender spines (ts, mutant) and defined the developmental process of fruit spines as consisting of four stages (stage I to stage IV) by continuously observing by microscope and SEM. Comparisons of transcriptome profiles at different development stages of wild-type spines showed that 803 and 722 genes were upregulated in the stalk (stage II and stage III) and base (stage IV) development stages of fruit spines, respectively. The function analysis of DEGs showed that genes related to auxin polar transport and HD-ZIP transcription factor are significantly upregulated during the development of the stalk. bHLH transcription factors and cytoskeleton-related genes were significantly upregulated during the development of the base. In addition, stage III is the key point for the difference between wild-type and mutant spines. We detected 628 DEGs between wild type and mutant at stage III. These DEGs are mainly involved in the calcium signaling of the cytoskeleton and auxin polar transport. Coincidentally, we found that CsVTI11, a factor involved in auxin signal transmission, can interact with CsTs in vivo, but this interaction does not occur between CsVTI11 and Csts, further suggesting that CsTs may regulate the development of fruit spines by influencing cell polarity. These results provide useful tools to study the molecular networks associated with cucumber fruit spine development and elucidate the biological pathways that C-type Lectin receptor-like kinase plays in regulating the development of fruit spines.

Functional Properties of Fruits of Common Medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) Extract

Common medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) is a long-lived plant with hard fruits, which are harvested in the fall and stored in cold and dark places. The aim of the work was to obtain the extract from freeze-dried fruits of medlar. Then, the samples were purified on a column with Amberlite XAD-16 ion exchange resin (two fractions were obtained and tested in further steps: methanol (MF) and water (WF)). A quantitative analysis of the polyphenolic compounds and selected elements was performed. In addition, in vitro tests of antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of the extracts were carried out. The applied methodology included the determination of antidiabetic activity by diffusion method, antioxidant activity by ABTS and FRAP methods, elemental analysisby atomic spectrometry, and quantitative and qualitative determination of phenolic composition by UPLC method. The highest antioxidant activity was observed in the MF of the medlar preparation, which was 245.31 μM Trolox/g (in ABTS test). Both fractions showed positive antidiabetic effects. For WF, even a small concentration of 1 mg/mL DMSO, the percentage of α-amylase inhibition was 35%. The WF dominated in terms of the total content of phenolic compounds (mainly gallic, procatechic, chlorogenic, and ferulic acids).

Functional packaging of seeds.

SummaryThe encapsulation of seeds in hard coats and fruit walls (pericarp layers) fulfils protective and dispersal functions in many plant families. In angiosperms, packaging structures possess a remarkable range of different morphologies and functionalities, as illustrated by thermo and hygro‐responsive seed pods and appendages, as well as mechanically strong and water‐impermeable shells. Key to these different functionalities are characteristic structural arrangements and chemical modifications of the underlying sclerenchymatous tissues. Although many ecological aspects of hard seed encapsulation have been well documented, a detailed understanding of the relationship between tissue structure and function only recently started to emerge, especially in the context of environmentally driven fruit opening and seed dispersal (responsive encapsulations) and the outstanding durability of some seed coats and indehiscent fruits (static encapsulations). In this review, we focus on the tissue properties of these two systems, with particular consideration of water interactions, mechanical resistance, and force generation. Common principles, as well as unique adaptations, are discussed in different plant species. Understanding how plants integrate a broad range of functions and properties for seed protection during storage and dispersal plays a central role for seed conservation, population dynamics, and plant‐based material developments.

Tartary Buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) NAC Transcription Factors FtNAC16 Negatively Regulates of Pod Cracking and Salinity Tolerant in Arabidopsis.

The thick and hard fruit shell of Fagopyrum tataricum (F. tataricum) represents a processing bottleneck. At the same time, soil salinization is one of the main problems faced by modern agricultural production. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that the F. tataricum transcription factor FtNAC16 could regulate the hull cracking of F. tataricum, and the function of this transcription factor was verified by genetic transformation of Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana). Phenotypic observations of the wild-type (WT), OE-FtNAC16, nst1/3 and nst1/3-FtNAC16 plant lines confirmed that FtNAC16 negatively regulated pod cracking by downregulating lignin synthesis. Under salt stress, several physiological indicators (POD, GSH, Pro and MDA) were measured, A. thaliana leaves were stained with NBT (Nitroblue Tetrazolium) and DAB (3,3’-diaminobenzidine), and all genes encoding enzymes in the lignin synthesis pathway were analyzed. These experiments confirmed that FtNAC16 increased plant sensitivity by reducing the lignin content or changing the proportions of the lignin monomer. The results of this study may help to elucidate the possible association between changes in lignin monomer synthesis and salt stress and may also contribute to fully understanding the effects of FtNAC16 on plant growth and development, particularly regarding fruit pod cracking and environmental adaptability. In future studies, it may be useful to obtain suitable cracking varieties and salt-tolerant crops through molecular breeding.

A new passeriform (Aves: Passeriformes) from the early Oligocene of Poland sheds light on the beginnings of Suboscines

The paper describes a complete specimen of a passerine bird from the early Oligocene of Poland, preserved as imprints of bones and feathers on two slabs. Crosnoornis nargizia gen. et sp. nov. is just the fifth passerine species described from the Paleogene worldwide and the fourth complete. The features preserved in the distal elements of the wing exclude Acanthisittidae and Oscines and indicate that this bird can be included in Suboscines, making it the second complete representative of this group in the Paleogene. A strong, straight beak indicates that this bird could feed on a variety of foods, including hard seeds, fruit and invertebrates, and, therefore, occupied a different foraging niche than the Oligocene passerines described so far. The wing proportions, a very short tail and relatively long legs indicate that this bird spent most of its time in the forest, close to the ground in dense shrubs or dense tree crowns.

Research of Functional and Technological Properties of Persimmon Fruits as an Object of Drying

Persimmon fruits should be initially quite hard, so that they can not only be easily peeled, but also fastened with a strong rope for the closely adjacent stems and dried for a month or two under a canopy. Despite the extensive nature of this process, farmers are used to this artisanal method and the small profit it can provide in those 3-4 post-harvest weeks, as long as the persimmon can remain firm. The aim of this work was to develop more efficient alternative drying methods that allow drying persimmons in an accelerated mode and at all stages of its post-harvest storage. The objects of the study were the fruits of the cultivars Hachiya and Hiakume, grown in the experimental farm of the Research Institute of Horticulture and Tea Industry (Guba, Azerbaijan). The method of creating the final products was used, based on taking into account the physical and chemical changes that occur in the persimmon during its maturation. It was found that the natural balance between lecoanthocyanins (the most tart among polyphenols), protopectin, which refers to insoluble dietary fiber and easily digestible carbohydrates, does not provide the best color and taste of 100% dried persimmon from early solid raw materials. Slicing slices of hard fruit into slices 2-3 mm thick and holding the slices for 10-15 minutes in solutions of table salt and sugar allows you to improve their color and taste initially. Aged softened fruits are amazingly delicious and without additives. Taking into account these and other revealed facts, technologies were developed for obtaining natural chips from solid persimmons, and 100% dried persimmons from softened persimmons. Calculations have shown that the proposed technologies are cost-effective and promising for wide application.

Characterization of Selected Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium L.) Varieties using DUS Test Guidelines

The present study was conducted to characterize and decipher the genetic variability among twenty sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) varieties. Different morphological traits namely, growth habit, foliage, flower, fruit and stone characteristics were studied for further improvement and utilization. Growth habit varied from upright (5 varieties) to semi-upright and spreading (15 varieties). Shape of leaves was observed as obovate and lanceolate. Most of the varieties were late in maturity early. Huge variation was recorded for quality determining traits namely, fruit size, shape, flesh and skin colour. Fruit shape was observed as reniform in fourteen varieties and elliptic in rest of the varieties except cordate in Rainier. Fruit firmness was found to be soft and intermediate for the most of the varieties, whereas, varieties viz., Lambert, Rainier, Red Heart, Stella and Sunburst had hard fruit firmness.