Main Cultivars Research Articles

Sensory Evaluation and Spectra Evolution of Two Kiwifruit Cultivars during Cold Storage

Kiwifruit consumption has increased due to its rich nutritional properties. Although ‘Hayward’ continues to be the main cultivar, others, such as yellow fleshed ‘Jintao’, are of increasing interest. The objective of this research was to evaluate the acceptability and storage performance of these two cultivars. Sensory evaluation of green ‘Hayward’ and yellow ‘Jintao’ kiwifruit were performed along cold storage for three seasons/years to follow the organoleptic characteristics through ripening, as well as the acquisition of their spectra by Vis-NIR. For ‘Jintao’ were performed two sensory evaluations per year at 2.5- and 4.5-months’ storage and for ‘Hayward’ at 2.5-, 4.5- and 5.5-months’ storage. The nonparametric Mann–Whitney test and Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA were performed to test the significant differences between the mean ranks among the storage time. A non-metric multidimensional scaling plot method using the ALSCAL algorithm in a seven-point Likert scale was applied to determine the relationships in the data, and a new approach using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was tested. The last revealed that, for both cultivars, sweetness, acidity and texture were the variables with better scores for General flavor. Aroma was also important on ‘Jintao’. A strong correlation between soluble solids content (SSC) and reflectance was found for both cultivars, with the 635–780 nm range being the most important. Regarding firmness, a good correlation with reflectance spectra was observed, particularly in ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit. Based on these results, Vis-NIR can be an objective alternative to explore for determination of the optimum eating-ripe stage.

Screening and Identification of Host Factors Interacting with the Virulence Factor P0 Encoded by Sugarcane Yellow Leaf Virus by Yeast Two-Hybrid Assay.

Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV), a member of the genus Polerovirus in the family Luteoviridae, causes severe damage and represents a great threat to sugarcane cultivation and sugar industry development. In this study, inoculation of Nicotiana benthamiana plants with a potato virus X (PVX)-based vector carrying the SCYLV P0 gene induced typical mosaic, leaf rolling symptoms and was associated with a hypersensitive-like response (HLR) necrosis symptom, which is accompanied with a systemic burst of H2O2 and also leads to higher PVX viral genome accumulation levels. Our results demonstrate that SCYLV P0 is a pathogenicity determinant and plays important roles in disease development. To further explore its function in pathogenic processes, a yeast two-hybrid assay was performed to screen the putative P0-interacting host factors. The recombinant plasmid pGBKT7-P0 was constructed as a bait and transformed into the yeast strain Y2HGold. The ROC22 cultivar (an important parental resource of the main cultivar in China) cDNA prey library was constructed and screened by co-transformation with the P0 bait. We identified 28 potential interacting partners including those involved in the optical signal path, plant growth and development, transcriptional regulation, host defense response, and viral replication. To our knowledge, this is the first time we have reported the host proteins interacting with the P0 virulence factor encoded by sugarcane yellow leaf virus. This study not only provides valuable insights into elucidating the molecular mechanism of the pathogenicity of SCYLV, but also sheds light on revealing the probable new pathogenesis of Polerovirus in the future.

The Effects of Ripening Stage and Mode of Culture of Chemlali, Arbequina, and Koroneiki on the Capacities of Oils to Scavenge ABTS Free Radicals

This paper focuses on evaluating the antioxidant power of olive oil against the cation radical ABTS•+ according to cultivars (Chemlali, Arbequina and Koroneiki), culture modes (extensive and intensive), ripening stages (November and December corresponding stages), and study year (2017 and 2018). Radical percentage inhibition (PI), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), inhibitory concentration required to scavenge 50% of radicals (IC50), and principal component analysis (PCA) were determined. The oil of the Tunisian main cultivar, Chemlali, cultivated in extensive mode, has the best scavenging power with the lowest IC50 values of 9.3, 10.8, 9.65 and 10.4 µg/ml respectively in all the ripening stages. Also, at the lowest tested concentration of 20 µg/ml, this oil has the highest TEAC values, respectively 2.28 and 2.20 in November of 2017 and 2018. For the introduced cultivars, Koroneiki presents better performance than Arbequina, in intensive mode, with IC50 ranged from 9.6 to 13.8 against 12.40 to 22.35 for Arbequina. Furthermore, the principal component analysis proves that the oils of Chemlali in extensive mode and Koroneiki in intensive mode have the best scavenging capacity of ABTS•+. This study proves that the extensive mode is the best culture mode and the ripening stage of November is the best stage in order to get oils with the highest antioxidant capacity.

Systemic development of wheat-Thinopyrum elongatum translocation lines and their deployment in wheat breeding for Fusarium head blight resistance.

Fusarium head blight (FHB), mainly caused by Fusarium graminearum, is one of the most destructive diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum) around the world. FHB causes significant yield losses and reduces grain quality. The lack of resistance resources is a major bottleneck for wheat FHB resistance breeding. As a wheat relative, Thinopyrum elongatum contains many genes that can be used for wheat improvement. Although the novel gene Fhb-7EL was mapped on chromosome 7EL of Th. elongatum, successful transfer of the FHB resistance gene into commercial wheat varieties has not been reported. In this study, we developed 836 wheat-Th. elongatum translocation lines of various types by irradiating the pollen of the wheat-Th.elongatum addition line CS-7EL at the flowering stage, among which 81 were identified as resistant to FHB. By backcrossing the FHB-resistant lines with the main cultivar Jimai 22, three wheat-Th. elongatum translocation lines, Zhongke 1878, Zhongke 166, and Zhongke 545, were successfully applied in wheat breeding without yield penalty. Combining karyotype and phenotype analyses, we mapped the Fhb-7EL gene to the distal end of chromosome 7EL. Five molecular markers linked with the FHB resistance interval were developed, which facilitates molecular marker-assisted breeding. Altogether, we successfully applied alien chromatin with FHB resistance from Th. elongatum in wheat breeding without yield penalty. These newly developed FHB-resistant wheat-Th. elongatum translocation lines, Zhongke 1878, Zhongke 166, and Zhongke 545, can be used as novel resistance resources for wheat breeding.

Physicochemical properties of Tunisian pomegranate fruits Punica granatum L. grown at different climatic zones of Yunnan, China

The artificial cultivation of Mengzi pomegranate has been conducted on a large area for more than 30 years in Yunnan, China. As the quality of pomegranate cultivars have degraded seriously, new cultivars have gradually been introduced to meet market demand. Comparative quality evaluation of different pomegranate varieties is beneficial to guide cultivar improvement and cultural program modification. The present study investigated the differences of physicochemical characteristics of the introduced Tunisian soft-seed pomegranate in different climate zones in Yunnan, China. Meanwhile, the differences between native cultivars (Tian guan yan (TGY) and Tian lv zi (TLZ)) and introduced cultivar were also compared. It was found that the Tunisian soft-seed pomegranate grown in Huize (Tunisian pomegranate in Huize, TH) in the temperate plateau monsoon climate belt had the highest fruit weight, % of seed, TAC, TPC, TSS, amino acids, and Mn, and had the lowest organic acids and Na. While grown in the subtropical monsoon climate area Shiping (Tunisian pomegranate in Shiping, TS), the Tunisian pomegranate fruits had the highest amounts of Cu. Commonly, there were significant correlations between cultivation climate regions and fruit properties. The contents of the TSS, TAC, TPC, flavor amino acids and organic acids varied with planted climate zones. The introduced Tunisian soft-seed pomegranate has comparable levels of physicochemical characteristics with the local main cultivars in the same planted climate region. Tunisian soft-seed pomegranate of higher quality can be obtained in Huize area. Collectively, the climate difference and cultivar shift have a significant effect on pomegranate production in Yunnan, and pomegranate with good quality can be obtained by using proper cultivars in optimized climate zone.

Tocopherols in Cultivated Apple Malus sp. Seeds: Composition, Variability and Specificity.

The seeds of 111 Malus sp. different fruit use (dessert and cider apples) cultivars/genotypes developed in 18 countries were analysed to evaluate composition of tocopherol homologues and identify crop-specific profile, including diploid, triploid, and tetraploid apple cultivars with and without scab-resistance to ensure high genetic diversity. The percentage of individual tocopherols was as follows: alpha-tocopherol (alpha-T) (38.36%), beta-tocopherol (beta-T) (40.74%), gamma-tocopherol (gamma-T) (10.93%), and delta-tocopherol (delta-T) (9.97%), represented by average measurements of 17.48, 18.56, 4.98, and 4.54 mg/100 g dry weight, respectively. The values of the variation coefficient showed high variability for delta (0.695) and gamma (0.662) homologue content, whereas measurements of alpha-T and beta-T were less variable (coefficient of variation 0.203 and 0.256, respectively). The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) revealed three main cultivar groups characterised by almost equal content of all four tocopherol homologues (Group I), high concentrations of alpha-T and beta-T, but very low content of gamma-T and delta-T (Group II), and relatively high average content of alpha-T and beta-T, but higher gamma-T and delta-T content (Group III). Specific tocopherol homologues showed association with certain valuable traits, such as harvesting time (total content of tocopherols) and resistance to apple scab (alpha-T and total content of tocopherols). This study represents the first large-scale tocopherol homologue (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta) screening in apple seeds. The dominant tocopherol homologues in cultivated apple cultivars are alpha-T and beta-T, with the prevalence of alpha-T or beta-T depending on genotype. It is a unique finding due to the rare occurrence of beta-T in the plant world and is considered a unique feature of the species.

Gas exchange and post-harvest quality of ‘Kent’ mango subjected to controlled water deficit in semi-arid region

ABSTRACT Brazil is the seventh largest producer of mangoes in the world, and the São Francisco Valley is the main producing region, with ‘Kent’ as one of the main cultivars. Considering that irrigation management affects physiological events, production and fruit quality, the objective of this work was to evaluate the gas exchange in the leaves and fruit quality of ‘Kent’ mango subjected to controlled water deficit in the semi-arid region. The experiment was carried out in Petrolina-PE, semi-arid region of the São Francisco Valley. The experimental design used was randomized blocks, in a triple factorial scheme, with four irrigation depths (40, 60, 80 and 100% of crop evapotranspiration - ETc), three phenological stages (F1 - flowering, F2 - fruit growth, F3 - fruit maturation) and two production cycles (2018 and 2019), with four replicates. During the phenological stages, the physiological parameters of gas exchange were evaluated. After harvesting, the following parameters were evaluated: soluble solids content, titratable acidity, pH, firmness and peel color. Irrigation with a depth between 79.5 and 83.6% ETc during the evaluated stages promoted greater gas exchange in the leaves, greater firmness and acidity in the fruits. The reduction in irrigation depth in F1 and F3 reduced the soluble solids content, while in F2 the highest soluble solids content was obtained with irrigation between 68.24 and 74.5% ETc. The most suitable irrigation depth for ‘Kent’ mango cultivation depends on the purpose of the producer and on the phenological stage of the crop.

A Novel Strain Breeding of Ganoderma lucidum UV119 (Agaricomycetes) with High Spores Yield and Strong Resistant Ability to Other Microbes' Invasions.

The spore powder of Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) has been proven to have a variety of pharmacological activities, and it has become a new resource for the development of health products and pharmaceuticals. However, the scarcity of natural resources, strict growth conditions and difficulty in controlling the stable yield, and quality of different culture batches seriously limit the development and utilization of G. lucidum spore powder. In the present study, the strain with the highest spore powder yield, G0109, was selected as the original strain to generate mutants of G. lucidum using ultraviolet ray irradiation. A total of 165 mutagenic strains were obtained, and fifty-five strains were chosen for the cultivation test. Importantly, one mutagenic strain with high spore powder yield and strong resistance to undesired microorganisms was acquired and named strain UV119. More cultivations demonstrated that the fruiting body and basidiospore yields from UV119 were, respectively, 8.67% and 19.27% higher than those of the parent (G0109), and the basidiospore yield was 20.56% higher than that of the current main cultivar "Longzhi No.1". In conclusion, this study suggested that ultraviolet ray irradiation is an efficient and practical method for Ganoderma strain improvement and thus provided a basis for the development and application of G. lucidum spore production and outstanding contributions to the rapid development of the G. lucidum industry.

History, Phylogeny, Biodiversity, and New Computer-Based Tools for Efficient Micropropagation and Conservation of Pistachio (Pistacia spp.) Germplasm.

The word "pstk" [pistag], used in the ancient Persian language, is the linguistic root from which the current name "pistachio", used worldwide, derives. The word pistachio is generally used to designate the plants and fruits of a single species: Pistacia vera L. Both the plant and its fruits have been used by mankind for thousands of years, specifically the consumption of its fruits by Neanderthals has been dated to about 300,000 years ago. Native to southern Central Asia (including northern Afghanistan and northeastern Iran), its domestication and cultivation occurred about 3000 years ago in this region, spreading to the rest of the Mediterranean basin during the Middle Ages and finally being exported to America and Australia at the end of the 19th century. The edible pistachio is an excellent source of unsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, proteins, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and bioactive phenolic compounds that help promote human health through their antioxidant capacity and biological activities. The distribution and genetic diversity of wild and domesticated pistachios have been declining due to increasing population pressure and climatic changes, which have destroyed natural pistachio habitats, and the monoculture of selected cultivars. As a result, the current world pistachio industry relies mainly on a very small number of commercial cultivars and rootstocks. In this review we discuss and summarize the current status of: etymology, origin, domestication, taxonomy and phylogeny by molecular analysis (RAPID, RFLP, AFLP, SSR, ISSR, IRAP, eSSR), main characteristics and world production, germplasm biodiversity, main cultivars and rootstocks, current conservation strategies of both conventional propagation (seeds, cutting, and grafting), and non-conventional propagation methods (cryopreservation, slow growth storage, synthetic seed techniques and micropropagation) and the application of computational tools (Design of Experiments (DoE) and Machine Learning: Artificial Neural Networks, Fuzzy logic and Genetic Algorithms) to design efficient micropropagation protocols for the genus Pistacia.

POLLEN QUALITY AND SELECTION OF POLLINATORS OF CULTIVARS OF COLUMNAR TYPE APPLE

The apple tree (Malus domestica Borkh.) is a flowering tree whose productivity depends on successful cross-pollination. The efficiency of the pollination process significantly affects the quantity and quality of apple fruits. In addition to the basic requirements for fruit set and tree productivity, the presence of different pollen sources (different cultivars of the orchard) has a positive effect on fruit quality parameters. It is possible to make a profit from an apple orchard several years after planting, so the choice of cultivar is very important, because the economic feasibility of growing plants depends on it. The purpose of this study was to determine the viability of pollen of columnar apple cultivars and the selection of pollinator cultivar. The research was carried out during 2019–2022 at the V. L. Symyrenko Department of Horticulture of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine. According to the results of the research, it was established that in the conditions of the Western Forest Steppe of Ukraine, the investigated columnar varieties form pollen of medium viability, pollen tubes reach a medium length, insufficient cross-fertility is observed, and the best pollinators for them are universal pollinators, Golden Gem’ and Professor Springer’ cultivars. In general, columnar fruit set is good from free pollination. Several conditions are necessary for satisfactory cross-pollination, namely: flowering of the pollinator cultivar must be simultaneous with the main cultivar; the pollinator cultivar must have pollen of high viability; the location of the pollinator cultivar should be near the fruit-bearing tree; the garden requires the presence of bees and other insects during flowering.

Caracteres morfológicos que contribuem para o aumento da produtividade de cultivares de batata no Brasil

ABSTRACT A previous study revealed that modern potato cultivars used in Brazil have higher commercial tuber yield than old cultivars. The objective of the present study was to clarify which morphological characters influence the yield gain of modern cultivars. Two field experiments were performed in Brazil: in Guarapuava-PR and Brasilia-DF. The treatments consisted of six cultivars, classified according to origin and year of release: Bintje (European, 1910), Baronesa (Brazilian, 1955), Monalisa (European, 1982), Agata (European, 1990), Catucha (Brazilian, 1995) and BRS Clara (Brazilian, 2010). These were the main cultivars used in southern Brazil in the last 65 years and represent 100 years of breeding. A randomized complete block design with six treatments and four replications was used. The following plant morphological characters were evaluated at four growth stages (the beginning of plant development, the beginning of tuberization, maximum shoot growth and tuber bulking stages): leaf area index, specific leaf area, number of main stems, initiated and bulked tubers. At 15 days after emergence, modern cultivars have higher leaf area index and bulked tubers compared to older cultivars. Also, a larger number of mainstems and smaller specific leaf area were observed in modern cultivars. A high leaf area index at the beginning of the growing development combined with a large number of bulked tubers contributed to the increase of the yield potential of modern cultivars.

Comparative Metabolomic Profiling Reveals Key Secondary Metabolites Associated with High Quality and Nutritional Value in Broad Bean (Vicia faba L.)

High quality and nutritional benefits are ultimately the desirable features that influence the commercial value and market share of broad bean (Vicia faba L.). Different cultivars vary greatly in taste, flavor, and nutrition. However, the molecular basis of these traits remains largely unknown. Here, the grain metabolites of the superior Chinese landrace Cixidabaican (CX) were detected by a widely targeted metabolomics approach and compared with the main cultivar Lingxiyicun (LX) from Japan. The analyses of global metabolic variations revealed a total of 149 differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs) were identified between these two genotypes. Among them, 84 and 65 were up- and down-regulated in CX compared with LX. Most of the DAMs were closely related to healthy eating substances known for their antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, and some others were involved in the taste formation. The KEGG-based classification further revealed that these DAMs were significantly enriched in 21 metabolic pathways, particularly in flavone and flavonol biosynthesis. The differences in key secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, terpenoids, amino acid derivates, and alkaloids, may lead to more nutritional value in a healthy diet and better adaptability for the seed germination of CX. The present results provide important insights into the taste/quality-forming mechanisms and contributes to the conservation and utilization of germplasm resources for breeding broad bean with superior eating quality.

Effect of Supplemental Pollination, Boron Spray and Cultivar on Fruit Quality and Quantity of Olive (Olea europaea L.)

This study was conducted during the 2020-2021 growing season at orchard of Horticulture Department, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Sulaimani, Bakrajo, Iraqi Kurdistan Region, in order to investigate the effects of artificial pollination, boron application, and cultivar on some fruit quality and quantity of olive. Six selective pollinizers (Arbequina, Ashrasi, Hojiblanca, Picual, K18, Kaissy) in addition to self and air-pollination, two boron levels (0 and 200 mg.L-1) as well as two main cultivars (Sourani and Khadrawi) were used. Results showed that cultivars are relatively self-incompatible while cultivar, pollinizer, and boron recorded significant differences with regard to some studied parameters. Sourani Cultivar gave the highest percentage of final fruit set (1.96 %), self-incompatibility index (0.59), fruit weight (2.64 g), fruit volume (2.51cm3), oil content percentage (38.81%), soluble sugar content (185.74 μg/g DW), while the lowest fruit dropping (13.56%), and the lowest acidity value (0.46%). Besides, the highest values of boron content (10.587%) were obtained Sourani cultivar. Boron sprayed with 200 mg.L-1 achieved the highest values of all studied parameters. Moreover, Arbequina, Ashrasi, and Picual pollinizers gave the best results. The dual interactions of the factors revealed that Sourani and 200 mg.L-1 boron, the two cultivars (Sourani and Khadrawi) with Arbequina, Ashrasi, Picual and Hojiblanca pollinizers, and 200 mg.L-1 boron with Arbequina, Ashrasi, Picual and Hojiblanca pollinizers gave the best results. Additionally, triple interactions of the factors indicated that the combination of the two cultivars, 200 mg.L-1 boron and Arbequina, Ashrasi, Picual and Hojiblanca pollinizers, demonstrated the best significant results.

The Effects of Ripening Stage and Mode of Culture of Chemlali, Arbequina and Koroneiki on the Capacities of Oils to Scavenge ABTS Free Radicals

The aim of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant power of the olive oil against the cation radical ABTS•+, according to cultivars: Chemlali, Arbequina and Koroneiki; culture modes: extensive and intensive; ripening stages: November and December corresponding stages and study year: 2017 and 2018. Radical percentage inhibition (PI), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), inhibitory concentration required to scavenge 50% of radicals (IC50) and principal component analysis (ACP) were determined. The oil of the Tunisian main cultivar Chemlali, cultivated in extensive mode, has the best scavenging power with the lowest IC50 values of 9.3, 10.8, 9.65 and 10.4 µg/ml respectively in all the ripening stages. Also, at the lowest tested concentration of 20 µg/ml, this oil has the highest TEAC values, respectively 2.28 and 2.20 in November of 2017 and 2018. For the introduced cultivars, Koroneiki presents better performance than Arbequina, in intensive mode, with IC50 ranged from 9.6 to 13.8 against 12.40 to 22.35 for Arbequina. Furthermore, the principal component analysis proves that the oils of Chemlali in extensive mode and Koroneiki in intensive have the best scavenging capacity of ABTS•+. This study proves that the extensive mode is the best culture mode and the ripening stage of November is the best stage in order to get oils with a height antioxidant capacity.

Network of the transcriptome and metabolomics reveals a novel regulation of drought resistance during germination in wheat.

The North China Plain, the highest winter-wheat-producing region of China, is seriously threatened by drought. Traditional irrigation wastes a significant amount of water during the sowing season. Therefore, it is necessary to study the drought resistance of wheat during germination to maintain agricultural ecological security. From several main cultivars in the North China Plain, we screened the drought-resistant cultivar JM47 and drought-sensitive cultivar AK58 during germination using the polyethylene glycol (PEG) drought simulation method. An integrated analysis of the transcriptome and metabolomics was performed to understand the regulatory networks related to drought resistance in wheat germination and verify key regulatory genes. Transcriptional and metabolic changes were investigated using statistical analyses and gene-metabolite correlation networks. Transcript and metabolite profiles were obtained through high-throughput RNA-sequencing data analysis and ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. A total of 8083 and 2911 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 173 and 148 differential metabolites were identified in AK58 and JM47, respectively, under drought stress. According to the integrated analysis results, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling was prominently enriched in JM47. A decrease in α-linolenic acid content was consistent with the performance of DEGs involved in jasmonic acid biosynthesis in the two cultivars under drought stress. Abscisic acid (ABA) content decreased more in JM47 than in AK58, and linoleic acid content decreased in AK58 but increased in JM47. α-Tocotrienol was upregulated and strongly correlated with α-linolenic acid metabolism. The DEGs that participated in the mTOR and α-linolenic acid metabolism pathways were considered candidate DEGs related to drought resistance and the key metabolites α-tocotrienol, linoleic acid and l-leucine, which could trigger a comprehensive and systemic effect on drought resistance during germination by activating mTOR-ABA signalling and the interaction of various hormones.

The genus Chrysanthemum: Phylogeny, biodiversity, phytometabolites, and chemodiversity.

The ecologically and economically important genus Chrysanthemum contains around 40 species and many hybrids and cultivars. The dried capitulum of Chrysanthemum morifolium (CM) Ramat. Tzvel, i.e., Flos Chrysanthemi, is frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and folk medicine for at least 2,200 years. It has also been a popular tea beverage for about 2,000 years since Han Dynasty in China. However, the origin of different cultivars of CM and the phylogenetic relationship between Chrysanthemum and related Asteraceae genera are still elusive, and there is a lack of comprehensive review about the association between biodiversity and chemodiversity of Chrysanthemum. This article aims to provide a synthetic summary of the phylogeny, biodiversity, phytometabolites and chemodiversity of Chrysanthemum and related taxonomic groups, focusing on CM and its wild relatives. Based on extensive literature review and in light of the medicinal value of chrysanthemum, we give some suggestions for its relationship with some genera/species and future applications. Mining chemodiversity from biodiversity of Chrysanthemum containing subtribe Artemisiinae, as well as mining therapeutic efficacy and other utilities from chemodiversity/biodiversity, is closely related with sustainable conservation and utilization of Artemisiinae resources. There were eight main cultivars of Flos Chrysanthemi, i.e., Hangju, Boju, Gongju, Chuju, Huaiju, Jiju, Chuanju and Qiju, which differ in geographical origins and processing methods. Different CM cultivars originated from various hybridizations between multiple wild species. They mainly contained volatile oils, triterpenes, flavonoids, phenolic acids, polysaccharides, amino acids and other phytometabolites, which have the activities of antimicrobial, anti-viral, antioxidant, anti-aging, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and closely related taxonomic groups could also be useful as food, medicine and tea. Despite some progresses, the genetic/chemical relationships among varieties, species and relevant genera have yet to be clarified; therefore, the roles of pharmacophylogeny and omics technology are highlighted.

"Hong Long" Lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) Is the Optimal Pollinizer for the Main Lychee Cultivars in Israel.

The lychee fruit is in high demand worldwide. However, the yields of many cultivars are low, including the high-quality cultivars “Nuomici” (NMC) and ”Fei Zi Xiao” (FZX), which are very tasty and produce large fruit with a small seed, but tend to shed their fruitlets. In a previous work, we found that cross-hand pollination of “Mauritius” (MA) with pollen of another cultivar increased fruit set and reduced fruit-drop in comparison to self-hand pollination. In the current research, we aimed to identify the optimal pollen donor for three of the main cultivars grown in Israel: MA, FZX, and “Tamuz” (TA). We compared the effect of different pollinizers and found that the Vietnamese cultivar “Hong Long” (HL), which is becoming an important cultivar in Israel, was the optimal pollinizer for the three cultivars. In addition, we found that FZX and TA were not self-fertile under the Israeli environmental conditions since they tend to shed fruitlets that originated from self-fertilization. In contrast, MA is able to fertilize itself, although cross-pollination greatly increased its fruit number and size. We also identified a new PCR marker for lychee, M3, that enabled us to distinguish between self- and cross-fertilized FZX fruits pollinated by HL. Our results indicate that cross-pollination, particularly by HL, has beneficial effects on the production of lychee and it is especially important for cultivars that generate small seeds and tend to shed their fruitlets.

Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analysis of Flavonoid Biosynthesis in Two Main Cultivars of Actinidia arguta Sieb.Zucc. Grown in Northern China

Actinidia arguta Sieb.Zucc. is a fruit that is rich in flavonoids. Nevertheless, details of flavonoid formation and the potential mechanism behind flavonoid biosynthesis have not previously been reported. In order to explore the biosynthetic regulation mechanism of flavonoids in A. arguta Sieb.Zucc., we conducted a combination of extensive targeted metabolite analysis and analyzed transcriptomes to determine the flavonoids present and the genes bound up with flavonoid biosynthesis in the two main cultivated varieties of A. arguta Sieb.Zucc. in Northern China. The maturity period is from August to September. A total of 118 flavonoids were found in fruits. Among them, 39 flavonoids were accumulated at significant levels after fruit ripening. Transcriptome analysis indicated that most flavonoid biosynthesis structural genes and certain regulatory genes exhibited differential expression between the two varieties. Correlation analysis of transcriptome and metabolite profiles showed that the ways of expression of 21 differentially expressed genes related to structure and regulation between the 2 varieties were more highly correlated with 7 flavonoids after fruit ripening. These results contribute to the development of A. arguta Sieb.Zucc. as a food and drug homologous functional food.

Development of Retrotransposon-Based Molecular Markers for Characterization of Persea americana (Avocado) Cultivars and Horticultural Races

Persea americana (avocado) represents one of the most demanded food products worldwide, with an important impact in several agronomy-based economies. The avocado is one of the most salt-sensitive and valuable crops. It is therefore necessary to use salt-tolerant varieties, such as the West Indian, for cultivation in locations with soil salinity problems, such as the Canary Islands. Therefore, characterization of avocado cultivars is in demand, as well as development of molecular tools able to easily identify the main avocado cultivars and horticultural races. In the present work, inter-Primer Binding Site (iPBS) and Inter-Retrotransposon Amplified Polymorphism (IRAP) techniques, which are based on retrotransposon with Long Terminal Repeats (LTR), have been implemented for the first time in P. americana, allowing the characterization of genetic variation among cultivars from the three main horticultural races and the identification of potential P. americana LTR sequences. The iPBS approach showed clear advantages over its technical implementation, and allowed a better delimitation of horticultural races, especially when focused on West Indian cultivars. However, both techniques generated reproducible genetic fingerprints that not only allowed genetic characterization of each cultivar analyzed, but also revealed potential molecular markers for the identification of avocado cultivars and horticultural races.

Grapevine Sugar Concentration Model (GSCM): A Decision Support Tool for the Douro Superior Winemaking Region

Climate-smart agriculture involves practices and crop modelling techniques aiming to provide practical answers to meet growers’ demands. For viticulturists, early prediction of harvest dates is critical for the success of cultural practices, which should be based on accurate planning of the annual growing cycle. We developed a modelling tool to assess the sugar concentration levels in the Douro Superior sub-region of the Douro wine region, Portugal. Two main cultivars (cv. Touriga-Nacional and Touriga-Francesa) grown in five locations across this sub-region were studied. Grape berry sugar data, with concentrations between 170 and 230 g L−1, were analyzed for the growing season campaigns, from 2014–2020, as an indicator of grape ripeness conditioned by temperature factors. Field data were collected by ADVID (“Associação Desenvolvimento Da Viticultura Duriense”), a regional winemaker association, and by Sogrape, the leading wine company from Portugal. The “Phenology Modeling Platform” was used for calibrating the model with sigmoid functions. Subsequently, model optimizations were performed to achieve a harmonized model, suitable for all estates. Model performance was assessed through two metrics: root mean square error (RMSE) and the Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient of efficiency (EFF). Both a leave-one-out cross-validation and a validation with an independent dataset (for 1991–2013) were carried out. Overall, our findings demonstrate that the model calibration achieved an average EFF of 0.7 for all estates and sugar levels, with an average RMSE < 6 days. Model validation, at one estate for 15 years, achieved an R2 of 0.93 and an RMSE < 5. These models demonstrate that air temperature has a high predictive potential of sugar ripeness, and ultimately of the harvest dates. These models were then used to build a standalone easy-to-use computer application (GSCM—Grapevine Sugar Concentration Model), which will allow growers to better plan and manage their seasonal activities, thus being a potentially valuable decision support tool in viticulture and oenology.