Large Fruit Research Articles

Wholesale fruit and vegetable market in Milan: Turning food surpluses into environmental gains

Food redistribution is increasingly recognized as a key strategy for tackling food waste and improving food security. However, a comprehensive assessment of its environmental impacts remains a challenge. This study fills this gap by investigating the role of food redistribution in minimizing waste, reducing production pressures, and mitigating the environmental impacts of the agri-food chain. In particular, this research focuses on mapping the flow of recovered food within the Ortomercato system, Italy's largest fruit and vegetable wholesale market, by third sector associations.A comprehensive cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment was conducted to quantify the recovered fruit and vegetable products, assess their environmental impact, and estimate the associated environmental credits through the prevention of food waste.The findings indicate that the production phase has the largest environmental impact, accounting on average for 63% of the total impact. The study employs a net balance approach to demonstrate the success of food recovery efforts, which have saved over 136 tonnes of food from the market over a 49-day period and generated environmental credits equivalent to 169 tonnes of CO2 eq. per year. These results highlight the environmental impact of food redistribution and provide insights for operational optimization and the establishment of an environmental budget for the system. Furthermore, the potential for regulating these environmental credits and promoting the benefits of food redistribution through public channels is highlighted.While the research addresses the mapping of food flows and their environmental impacts, there is a significant gap in the assessment of the socio-economic impacts associated with food redistribution. Further research is needed to understand how this practice affects local communities, economies and social dynamics, and to contribute to a more comprehensive assessment of its effectiveness.

Neonicotinoid insecticides in well-developed agricultural cultivation areas: Seawater occurrence, spatial-seasonal variability and ecological risks

Neonicotinoids (NEOs) are widely used insecticides and have been detected in aquatic environments globally. However, little is known about NEOs contamination in the coastal environments under the terrestrial pressure of multiple planting types simultaneously. This study investigated the occurrence, spatial-seasonal variability, and ecological risks of NEOs along the coast of the Shandong Peninsula during the dry and wet seasons, where located many largest fruit, vegetable, and grain production bases in China. The concentrations of ∑NEOs in seawater were higher in wet seasons (surface: 195.46 ng/L; bottom: 14.56 ng/L) than in dry seasons (surface: 10.07 ng/L; bottom: 8.45 ng/L). During the wet seasons, NEOs peaked in the northern and eastern areas of the Shandong Peninsula, where the inland fruit planting area is located. While dry seasons had higher concentrations in Laizhou Bay, influenced by rivers from vegetable-growing areas. Grain crops, fruit, and cotton planting were major NEOs sources during wet seasons, while wheat and vegetables dominated in dry seasons. Moderate or above ecological risks appeared at 53.8% of the monitoring sites. Generally, NEOs caused high risks in the wet seasons mainly caused by Imidacloprid, and medium risk in the dry seasons caused by Clothianidin, which should be prevented and controlled in advance.

‘100 large fruit trees cut down by ISAF’: land, infrastructure and military violence

This article examines the military violence of land use and infrastructure. The analysis discusses the case of the British Army’s Royal Corps of Engineers in 1860s British Columbia and in Helmand, Afghanistan following the post-2001 invasion. It charts how across British colonial and liberal military projects, military infrastructure activities have mobilised towards the goal of capitalist development. Drawing analytic lines between the Royal Engineers’ activities establishing the settler colony and colonial capitalism in British Columbia and their role in imposing liberal social, political and economic norms in Helmand, the article puts forward an account of why, how and with what effect military violence can include things such as the felling of trees, the issuing of private land title, the use of topsoil for road fill or prohibiting local farmers from growing tall crops near a roadway. The central argument of this article is that we should conceptualise and understand military activities such as these as violence. This analysis develops understandings of violence within scholarship addressing coloniality, liberal war, settler colonialism; and land, territory and infrastructure. Beyond the immediate analysis of specifically military violence, this discussion has broader implications for understanding the nexus of infrastructure, land and violence.

Biological and ecological characteristics of representatives of the genus Rosa L. (introduction, fruit characteristics, use)

In the steppe region an increase in the level of environmental pollution inevitably leads to a deterioration in the ecological condition of all components of ecosystems and leads to growth in the incidence of diseases among the population of the territory. It is possible to strengthen the natural immunity of the human body due to the introduction into the diet of products that contain biologically active compounds obtained from fruits, leaves, roots, etc. of representatives of the flora. Such plants include, first of all, representatives of the genus Rosa L. The high prophylactic and therapeutic effect of rose hips is confirmed by modern research by scientists. Among the vitamins that are part of the fruit, the highest content of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Physiological and ecological studies of plants of the genus Rosa, in particular, indicators of success of introduction and vitamin C content, were carried out on the territory of the Botanical Garden of Oles Honchar Dnipro National University (DNU). It was found that due to their decorative properties and high-vitamin fruits, these plants are indispensable in the conditions of the steppe Dnieper region. Representatives of the genus Rosa are characterized by a variety of life forms and the specifics of the architectonics of the crown, the shape and color of the leaves and abundant flowering. It is shown that the climatic conditions of the new place of growth directly affect the growth and formation of shoots, and the annual cycle of plant development has its own characteristics, which are manifested during the growth of shoots, differentiation, the phase of physiological rest or forced dormancy depending on the geographical origin of species. Rose hips also differ in the size of fruits and seeds. Large fruit sizes and a significant number of seeds were observed both in the local species R. canina and in some introduced species of R. micrantha, R. iberica, R. hugoni. In the species R. multiflora and R. borboniana, small fruits and a small number of seeds were found. In this group of plants significant interest is associated with the high content of vitamin C in their fruits, which should not be destroyed during storage. As a result of our many years of research, it has been found that during fruit drying, there is a certain loss of ascorbic acid depending on the species characteristics of plants. The vitamin is best preserved in the fruits of R. rugosa (up to 58%) and R. hugonis (up to 55%). Other types are recommended to be used fresh. In addition, rose hips are highly decorative plants with long flowering and brightly colored fruits, which allows you to use this group of plants when creating compositions in modern landscape design.

New productive pear variety Favoritka

The results of the selection and variety study of pears in the conditions of the Southern Urals are considered. At the South Ural Research Institute of Horticulture and Potato Growing, a branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution Urfanits Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, breeding work was carried out to improve the assortment of pears for the Ural region. As a result of many years of breeding work, the range of fruit and berry plants was replenished with a new pear variety, Favoritka, which in 2022 was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements approved for use. In the process of breeding work, the winter hardiness of pear varieties in the harsh climatic conditions of the Chelyabinsk region was studied, as a result it was noted that infield conditions when the temperature dropped to -40 ° C, freezing of trees of local varieties did not exceed 1 point. An assessment was made of the yield of local varieties, among which the following varieties stand out: Vekovaya, Myth, Favoritka, and Zolotoy Shar, with an average yield of 24 - 28 kg per tree. The economic indicators of the Favoritka pear variety (profitability level of 253.5%) indicate its suitability for cultivation in both industrial and amateur gardening in the Ural region. A pomological description and assessment of the economic usefulness of the new Favoritka pear variety are presented, which combines large fruit (fruit weight can reach 340 g), high winter hardiness, productivity, resistance to abiotic and biotic stressors (not affected by scab, resistant to pear gall mite), has fruits of excellent taste, suitable for fresh consumption, as well as for processing (preparing jams, preserves, compotes, etc.). The variety is in demand among the population and is of interest as a source of giant fruit in further breeding work.

Selection assessment of promising forms of natural Hippophae rhamnoides (Elaeagnaceae) populations and their offspring in the Kazakhstan Altai Mountains

Abstract. Vdovina TA, Isakova EA, Lagus OA, Sumbembayev AA. 2024. Selection assessment of promising forms of natural Hippophae rhamnoides (Elaeagnaceae) populations and their offspring in the Kazakhstan Altai Mountains. Biodiversitas 25: 1809-1822. This article presents the results of studying the genetic diversity of sea buckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides L. in natural populations of the East Kazakhstan region. This made it possible to identify valuable forms based on which targeted breeding work was carried out. Selection work has shown that this species has a unique gene pool. As a result of the analytical selection of H. rhamnoides in the first, second, and third generations, promising seedlings were obtained: ´Podarok Bajtulinu Sh-9-81 (4-6) II´, ´Jubilejnaja Kotuhova T-2-82 (2-22) III´, ´Dolgozhdannaja ?5 (3-24) III´, ´Shetlastinka ?7 (2-24) III´, ´Nesravnennaja Sh-9-81 (3-27) III´, ´Krasavica Sh-9-81 (3-30) III´, ´Solnyshko Sh-12-81 (1-18) III´ with high yield, large fruits, long stalk and low fruit tearing force. Among the male plants, the following forms are distinguished: ´Gustoj Tuman T-2-82 (1-24) III´, ´Ljubimec T-17-82 (2-20) III´, ´Krasavchik K-8-82 (1-34) III´, ´Bogatyr' T-17-82 (2-20) III´ with high winter hardiness and pollen productivity. A scale has been developed for the force of fruit separation and the density of the “cob” for local forms. A selection achievement (variety) patent was received for the ´Jubilejnaja Kotuhova´ form. The next two forms (´Shetlastinka´ and ´Podarok Bajtulinu´) pass the state test for economic usefulness. The richest gene pool of sea buckthorn in the Altai mountainous country indicates its high heterogeneity.

CRISPR/Cas9 edited SlGT30 improved both drought resistance and fruit yield through endoreduplication.

There is often a trade-off effect between different agronomic traits due to gene pleiotropy, leading to a negative correlation between yield and resistance. Consequently, using gene-editing techniques to develop superior traits becomes challenging. Genetic resources that defy this constraint are scarce but hold great potential as targets for improvement through the utilisation of CRISPR. Transcription factors are critical in modulating numerous gene expressions across diverse biological processes. Here, we found that the trihelix transcription factor SlGT30 plays a role in drought resistance and tomato fruit development. We edited the SlGT30 gene with CRISPR/Cas9 technology and found that the knockout lines showed decreased stomata density in the leaves and large fruits. Subsequent examination revealed that cell ploidy was impacted in the leaves and fruits of SlGT30 knockout lines. SlGT30 knockout affected cell size through the endoreduplication pathway, manifested in decreased stomata density and reduced water loss. Consequently, this resulted in an enhancement of drought resistance. For the fruit, both cell size and cell number increased in the fruit pericarp of knockout lines, improving the fruit size and weight accordingly. Therefore, SlGT30 represents a promising candidate gene for gene editing in breeding practice.

Phenotypic Selection to Avoid Discarding Target Genotypes for Four Fruit Traits Based on Environmental Variances in a Pineapple Cross-seedling Population

Early ripening [earlier than 1 Aug during fruit harvest time (FHT)], large fruit weight (FW; >1000 g), high sugar content [>17% soluble solids content (SSC)], and low acidity in fruit juice (<0.7%) are important breeding targets of pineapple for table fresh fruit use in Japan. We investigated the efficiency of primary selection based on the four fruit traits using 129 first-fruiting F1 offspring population of ‘Yugafu’ × ‘Yonekura’ without replicates. Separately, environmental variances were estimated by an analysis of variance using evaluation data from 50 or 49 offspring in three replicates and two-year repeats. The phenotypic distribution in the 129 F1 population approached a normal distribution (P > 0.05). The genotypic distribution was obtained as a normal distribution with the population mean as the mean and genotypic variance obtained by subtracting the environmental variance from the phenotypic variance. The target genotypes were estimated at 14.4%, 58.7%, 5.0%, and 50.0% of the F1 population for FHT, FW, SSC, and acidity, respectively. Critical phenotypic values were established as the upper (FHT and acidity) and lower (FW and SSC) limits of the critical genotypic values at the 95% probability level. The phenotypic selection was made based on the critical phenotypic value, resulting in 45.0%, 88.4%, 27.1%, and 79.1% of the offspring selected for FHT, FW, SSC, and acidity, respectively, and 12.4% simultaneously for all four fruit traits. The results showed that the phenotypic primary selection reduced the population size to 12.4%, avoiding the discarding of target genotypes with a low risk. If breeders intend to further reduce the population size, then increasing the number of traits subject to primary selection would be effective.

Phylogenetic analysis among five medicinally significant Phyllanthus L. Species in Bangladesh based on taxonomic and molecular approach

A combination of taxonomical and molecular technique had done for authentic characterization of medicinally important five Phyllanthus species viz. P. acidus, P. emblica (small and large fruit form), P. niruri, P. reticulatus and P. urinaria. They were analyzed with several taxonomical parameters such as branching pattern, morphology of bark, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds. A dichotomous bracketed key is created for easy identification of the species. RAPD analysis of five Phyllanthus species displayed that P. emblica and P. reticulatus were closely related whereas P. acidus and P. emblica were genetically distantly related. The genus Phyllanthus are diverse, as seen by the 71.68% polymorphism among the five studied species determined by RAPD analysis. The two forms (small and large fruit forms) of P. emblica showed similarity as well as dissimilarity in taxonomic and molecular features. Thus, a subtle revision is necessary in the taxonomical point of view to update their taxa. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 33(1): 121-131, 2024 (January)

Physicochemical characterization of four varieties of prickly pear (Opuntia spp.)

Objective: To characterize the physicochemical properties of the pulp from four varieties of prickly pear collected in three localities from the municipality of Salinas, San Luis Potosí. Design/Methodology/Approach: The following characteristics were recorded in 15 fruits of each variety: fruit size (equatorial and polar diameter), fresh biomass of total fruit, peel, and locule. Nine fruits per replicate were used (one fruit equals one replicate) to analyze moisture, ash content, total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, and total soluble sugars. Results: The physical differences of the fruits, total fresh weight, and equatorial and polar diameter match the typical characteristics of each variety. The largest fruits were (in descending order): Cristalina, Fafayuca, Naranjona, and Cardona. The highest moisture percentage (87.34%) was reported in Cristalina. Varieties such as Fafayuca from La Reforma and Naranjona from Salinas de Hidalgo had the highest and lowest concentration of total soluble sugars (25.84 and 11.46 g 100 g-1 FW, respectively). The fruits had a titratable acidity from 0.01 to 0.03% citric acid, while total soluble solids ranged from 11.60 to 15.84 °Brix. Study Limitations/Implications: Harvesting was based on the visual parameters established by the farmers. Findings/Conclusions: Fruits harvested from backyard orchards (<500 m2) had fruits of greater weight, which are used for self-consumption. The amount of total soluble solids and total soluble sugars per variety was different between localities, indicating that farmers from different localities have different harvesting criteria.

Screening candidate genes for fruit size based on QTL-seq in Chinese jujube.

Fruit size is an important economic trait affecting jujube fruit quality, which has always been the focus of marker-assisted breeding of jujube traits. However, despite a large number of studies have been carried out, the mechanism and key genes regulating jujube fruit size are mostly unknown. In this study, we used a new analysis method Quantitative Trait Loci sequencing (QTL-seq) (bulked segregant analysis) to screen the parents 'Yuhong' and 'Jiaocheng 5' with significant phenotypic differences and mixed offspring group with extreme traits of large fruit and small fruit, respectively, and, then, DNA mixed pool sequencing was carried out to further shortening the QTL candidate interval for fruit size trait and excavated candidate genes for controlling fruit size. The candidate intervals related to jujube fruit size were mainly located on chromosomes 1, 5, and 10, and the frequency of chromosome 1 was the highest. Based on the QTL-seq results, the annotation results of ANNOVAR were extracted from 424 SNPs (single-nucleotide polymorphisms) and 164 InDels (insertion-deletion), from which 40 candidate genes were selected, and 37 annotated candidate genes were found in the jujube genome. Four genes (LOC107428904, LOC107415626, LOC125420708, and LOC107418290) that are associated with fruit size growth and development were identified by functional annotation of the genes in NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information). The genes can provide a basis for further exploration and identification on genes regulating jujube fruit size. In summary, the data obtained in this study revealed that QTL intervals and candidate genes for fruit size at the genomic level provide valuable resources for future functional studies and jujube breeding.

Pomological and Biochemical Characteristics of Local Pomegranate Genotypes of Kahta (Adıyaman) Region

In the study carried out to determine the pomological characteristics of local pomegranate genotypes grown in Kahta district center and Bostanli, Eceler, Balli, Kilisk, Sarica, and Narince villages of Adıyaman province, one orchard belonging to a grower in each region and 1 genotype in each orchard were determined. 10 fruits in each genotype were harvested, and pomological measurements and biochemical analyses were performed. The largest fruit was obtained with the Sarıca genotype and Narince was the genotype with the smallest fruit. In genotypes, the fruit weight was between 196.300-328.909 g, the fruit length 61.528-72.801 mm, and the fruit width between 73.047-86.613 mm. Total aril weight was between 94.144-203.567 g and the fruit volume was between 188.333-327.000. The Sarıca genotype had the highest juice volume and the lowest juice ratio was recorded in the Eceler genotype. Calyx length was longer in the Sarıca genotype and the highest values in terms of calyx radius were recorded with the Kilisk genotype. The Eceler genotype had thicker shells and the Narince genotype had thinner shells. The number of chambers in the genotypes was between 5 and 6. There were significant differences between genotypes in terms of fruit skin and aril color. The soluble solids content (SSC) in genotypes was determined between 12.011-17.267, pH was 3.583-4.073 and total acidity (TA) was 0.736-1.489%. Phenolic compounds such as protocatechuic acid, rutin, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, ferulic acid, floridzin, vanillic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, syringic acid, and p-coumaric acid were detected in pomegranate fruit, and rutin was phenolic compound with the highest concentration.

Mapping of Leading Fruit Commodities in Malang District

Indonesia's economic development process is significantly influenced by the agricultural sector. The horticulture subsector is a promising industry that significantly contributes to economic development. Fruit commodities have become increasingly essential in the horticulture subsector and are in high demand by the community. This implies that the classification of a commodity as either basic or superior within the fruit sector is mostly determined by its fruit production. Conversely, commodities with lower fruit production are classified as non-base or non-primed within the sector. The objective of this study is to examine the fruit commodities that form the primary sector in Malang Regency, as well as analyse the fruit commodities that do not form the primary sector in Malang Regency. The employed data analysis method is descriptive quantitative. The findings of this study indicate that the primary or dominant fruit commodities in Malang Regency include apples, duku/langsat fruit, bananas, and salak fruit. The non-primary or non-dominant fruit commodities in Malang Regency include avocados, grapes, star fruit, durian fruit, guava fruit, large orange fruit, Siamese orange fruit, mango fruit, mangosteen fruit, passion fruit, jackfruit, pineapple, papaya, rambutan, sapodilla, soursop, and breadfruit.

Effects of different plant parts and solvents on bioactive compounds and antioxidation in large fruit Bird’s eye chili (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Superhot)

The production chain is impacted by an overabundance of large fruit Bird’s eye chili (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Superhot) on the market. Another way to make the most of the potential of raw materials for product development is to supplement the data on phytochemicals and antioxidative activity by segmentation (fruit, placenta, seed, and pericarp). In an experiment, distilled water, 60% ethanol and 90% ethanol were used as the primary solvents. The outcomes demonstrated that placenta and seeds using 90% ethanol as a solvent (PS-Et90) contained capsaicin, total phenolics, and total flavonoids at their most outstanding levels (16.30 µg/mg, 44.65 µg GAE/mg, and 21.77 µg CE/mg, respectively). At the same time, the Scoville Heat Unit was high at 244,550 SHU (very high pungency). Additionally, it demonstrated the highest antioxidative activity (129.57 µg TE/mg) when tested with the ABTS method, and total flavonoids were discovered to enhance the antioxidation effect when measured by ABTS and FRAP methods. PS-Et90 had a significantly different potency than the other groups when the extracts were grouped using Agglomerative Hierarchical Cluster Analysis based on phytochemical data and antioxidant activity. Therefore, the placenta and seeds appear to be preferable over others when utilizing large fruit Bird’s eye chili for pharmacological purposes. Using 90% ethanol as a solvent will provide the best bioavailability.

Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals the Distinct Features of Metabolism Pathways Supporting the Fruit Size and Color Variation of Giant Pumpkin.

Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) is an important vegetable crop of the Cucurbitaceae plant family. The fruits of pumpkin are often used as directly edible food or raw material for a number of processed foods. In nature, mature pumpkin fruits differ in size, shape, and color. The Atlantic Giant (AG) cultivar has the world's largest fruits and is described as the giant pumpkin. AG is well-known for its large and bright-colored fruits with high ornamental and economic value. At present, there are insufficient studies that have focused on the formation factors of the AG cultivar. To address these knowledge gaps, we performed comparative transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome analysis of fruits from the AG cultivar and a pumpkin with relatively small fruit (Hubbard). The results indicate that up-regulation of gene-encoded expansins contributed to fruit cell expansion, and the increased presence of photoassimilates (stachyose and D-glucose) and jasmonic acid (JA) accumulation worked together in terms of the formation of large fruit in the AG cultivar. Notably, perhaps due to the rapid transport of photoassimilates, abundant stachyose that was not converted into glucose in time was detected in giant pumpkin fruits, implying that a unique mode of assimilate unloading is in existence in the AG cultivar. The potential molecular regulatory network of photoassimilate metabolism closely related to pumpkin fruit expansion was also investigated, finding that three MYB transcription factors, namely CmaCh02G015900, CmaCh01G018100, and CmaCh06G011110, may be involved in metabolic regulation. In addition, neoxanthin (a type of carotenoid) exhibited decreased accumulation that was attributed to the down-regulation of carotenoid biosynthesis genes in AG fruits, which may lead to pigmentation differences between the two pumpkin cultivars. Our current work will provide new insights into the potential formation factors of giant pumpkins for further systematic elucidation.

The effectiveness of breeding work on the improvement of the main economically important traits of traditional variety population Banannaya in Primorsky kray

Relevance. Although there is notable success in breeding vegetable crops to obtain heterotic F1 hybrids, traditional selection methods have been gaining in popularity as a means of improving the economically important traits of local traditional varieties in Russia today. These varieties suffered the reduction in their valuable starting parameters (yield, the uniformity of marketable produce and biochemical composition) over the many years of reproduction. The Department of Potato Breeding and Horticulture (FSBSI “FSC of Agricultural Biotechnology of the Far East named after A. K. Chaiki”) have been working on the creation of new squash variety-populations with large fruits using the variety-population Banannaya 42, bred by V. Ya. Smolei at the Far Eastern experimental station of the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Plant Breeding in the 1940s, as the starting material. We carried out a multi-year research on the selection of promising families belonging to this variety to increase yield, improve the uniformity of fruits and the main biochemical parameters. Results. The breeding work conducted on the families of variety-population 945 in 2011-2022 resulted in the improvement of some economically important traits (the uniformity of fruit shape, yield, and biochemical parameters) compared to the started form. The eleven years of research allowed us to achieve high uniformity of fruit shape in the selection of the ninth year (PIP 2) – 90.0-90.7 % (increased by 34.9-36.0 %). The yield increased from 28.4 t/ha to 38.2-45.3 t/ha or by 34.5-59.5 %. The following biochemical parameters were improved through selection: the content of dry mater from 8.5 to 12.9 % or by 51.8 % on average, the content of sugars from 6.1 to 9.1 or by 49.2 %, the content of carotene from 1.7 to 3.8 or by 123.5 %, and the content of vitamin C from 9.6 to 21.1 or by 119.8 %. We selected the families of the same type from variety-population 945 (variety-population Banata) with improved and uniform economically important traits for submission to the State variety testing. The yield was 38.2-45.3 t/ha, fruits were heart-shaped, skin was greyish green, pulp was orange, and the content of sugars was 9.0-13.2 %. Large-fruited variety population Banata was included in the State register of breeding achievements admitted to use in the Russian Federation in 2024.

НАУЧНОЕ ОБОСНОВАНИЕ И РАЗРАБОТКА ПРИНЦИПОВ ПОДБОРА СОРТОВ ГРАНАТА С ВЫСОКИМ ВЫХОДОМ СОКА

Juice yield is a very important characteristic of pomegranate fruits (Punica granatum L.) in economic terms. In this study, the limits of variability of morphological and technological characteristics of fruits of 25 varieties and forms of pomegranate from Geokchai (Azerbaijan) were studied. The values of these features were determined using the weight method. An attempt was also made to establish the nature of the formation of the ratio between the individual parts of the fruit using the method of biological statistics. The results showed that the studied varieties and forms can be grouped into three different groups, taking into account the changing balance between individual parts of the fruit during its active growth and development on the tree. In the fruits of one group of the studied varieties and forms, the increase in the total mass of the rind and bare seeds was slower than the increase in the mass of the juice. 5 medium-fruited varieties and forms with juice yield from ripe fruits averaging 53.2 % of their total weight were assigned to this group. The other two groups included 7 small-fruited and 13 large-fruited varieties and forms, in which this indicator was significantly lower (juice yield 45.4 and 43.1 %, respectively). Thus, it is the medium size fruit (and not the large size fruit, as is now customary) that should serve as the main phenotypic feature – a guideline when choosing juice material from existing varieties and creating new pomegranate juice varieties. This result can be included in the instructions for processors of this specific raw material and guidelines for breeders working towards the creation of new juice varieties of pomegranate. Key words: POMEGRANATE, VARIETIES AND SHAPES, FRUITS AND THEIR INDIVIDUAL PARTS, RIND, JUICE, BARE SEEDS, THE NATURE OF THE FORMATION OF THE NATURAL RATIO

Characterization of a New Citrus Mutant Induced by Gamma Irradiation with a Unique Fruit Shape, Gwonje-Early, and Determination of Specific Selection Markers Using Allele-Specific PCR

Gamma-ray irradiation is one of the most widely used mutagens worldwide. We previously conducted mutation breeding using gamma irradiation to develop new Citrus unshiu varieties. Among these mutants, Gwonje-early had an ovate shape, a protrusion of the upper part of the fruit, and a large fruit size compared with wild-type (WT) fruits. We investigated the external/internal morphological characteristics and fruit sugar/acid content of Gwonje-early. Additionally, we investigated genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertion/deletion (InDel) variants in Gwonje-early using whole-genome re-sequencing. Functional annotation by Gene Ontology analysis confirmed that InDels were more commonly annotated than SNPs. To identify specific molecular markers for Gwonje-early, allele-specific PCR was performed using homozygous SNPs detected via Gwonje-early genome re-sequencing. The GJ-SNP1 and GJ-SNP4 primer sets were effectively able to distinguish Gwonje-early from the WT and other commercial citrus varieties, demonstrating their use as specific molecular markers for Gwonje-early. These findings also have important implications in terms of intellectual property rights and the variety protection of Gwonje-early. Our results may provide insights into the understanding of morphological traits and the molecular breeding mechanisms of citrus species.

Comprehensive phenotypic evaluation by fruit quality traits and analysis of the genetic diversity of promising elite walnut forms bred in the North Caucasian Federal Scientific Center of Horticulture, Viticulture, and Winemaking

Walnuts are a source of benefi cial nutrients (fatty acids, vitamins, phenolic compounds) and are high in calories. In the breeding of this cultivated plant, one of the key areas is selection for fruit quality. A modern cultivar must meet the standards of fruit appearance (large fruit, light kernel color, round shape, easy shell-kernel separation). The study of the genetic structure of walnut collections using microsatellite markers is no less relevant. The article aims to comprehensively evaluate the economically valuable traits of fruits and analyze the genetic diversity of promising elite walnut forms bred by the North Caucasian Federal Scientific Center of Horticulture, Viticulture, and Winemaking employing microsatellite DNA markers. Morphological fruit evaluation was carried out according to 13 traits. The biochemical analysis included total fat content, phenolic compounds, macronutrients (Na, K, Mg, Ca), and water-soluble solids. The molecular genetic analysis was performed using eight SSR markers: WGA001, WGA069, WGA376, WGA276, WGA009, WGA202, WGA089, WGA321. The comprehensive phenotypic and biochemical evaluation of fruits resulted in the identifi cation of elite forms superior to the check cultivar. For these elite forms, the fruit weight was 17-1-18 (13.36 g), MP-82 (14.80 g), YaB-18 (13.47 g); the kernel content was 17-2-23 (61.24 %), 17-5-5 (58.49 %), 17-2-16 (57.7 %); the fat content – MP-34 (68 %), 17-1-18 (61 %), 17-2-16 (62 %), MP-39 (60 %), YaB-5 (60 %). The microsatellite analysis revealed an average allele value per locus of 7.13, which indicates a high level of genetic heterogeneity in the studied sample of elite forms. Using the UPGMA clustering method and PCoA analysis, we revealed the presence of two genetically distinct groups. Th e first one includes large-fruited samples that exceed the check cultivar in terms of fruit weight (MP-82, YaB-18). In the second group, high-oil-bearing forms with a large percentage of kernel yield (17-1-18, YaB-5, 17-2-23, 17-2-16, MP-39, MP-34, 17-5-5) and forms with good shell-kernel separation (17-2-5, 17-2-16, 17-5-5, 17-5-10, MP-39, MP-67, MP-69, MP-170) predominated. Th us, it can be concluded that crossing genetically distant forms is promising not only for solving breeding issues, but also for preserving and increasing the genetic heterogeneity of the breeding walnut gene pool.

Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Strawberry Plants Cultivated under Greenhouse-Integrated Semi-Transparent Photovoltaics.

The integration of semi-transparent photovoltaics into the roof of greenhouses is an emerging technique used in recent years, due to the simultaneous energy and food production from the same piece of land. Although shading in many cases is a solution to maintain the desired microclimate, in the case of photovoltaic installations, the permanent shading of the crop is a challenge, due to the importance of light to the growth, morphogenesis, and other critical physiological processes. In this study, the effect of shade from semi-transparent photovoltaics on a strawberry crop (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) was examined, in terms of growth and quality (phenolic and flavonoid concentration of fruits). According to the results, in non-shaded plants, there was a trend of larger plants, but without a significant change in leaf number, while the total number of flowers was slightly higher at the end of the cultivation period. Moreover, it was found that the percentage change between the number of ripe fruits was smaller than that of the corresponding change in fruit weight, implying the increased size of the fruits in non-shaded plants. Finally, regarding the antioxidant capacity, it was clearly demonstrated that shading increased the total phenolic content, as well as the free-radical-scavenging activity of the harvested fruits. Although the shading from the semi-transparent photovoltaics did not assist the production of large fruits, it did not affect their number and increased some of their quality characteristics. In addition, the advantageous impact of the semi-transparent photovoltaics in the energy part must not be neglected.