Persica Batsch Research Articles

Early response of organic matter dynamics to pine‐biochar in sandy soil under peach trees

AbstractBiochar may enhance soil health in sandy soils under peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] tree production. A study was initiated in the Sandhills of North Carolina by applying pine‐biochar at two different rates (5 and 10%, v/v) and types of application (incorporation to 30 cm [‐Inc] and surface [‐Sur]) in 2017. Soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics was assessed via soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), permanganate‐oxidizable carbon (POXC), aggregate fractions (macro‐, micro‐aggregates, and clay + silt particles), and enzyme activities (CNPS activity) at 0–15 and 15–30 cm in 2018 and 2019. After the first year of pine‐biochar application, POXC decreased in all biochar treatments, SOC was higher in the 10%‐Inc treatment, whereas CNPS activities and macroaggregates were highest in the 5%‐Sur compared with the non‐treated control. These results suggest early changes in SOM dynamics and biogeochemical cycling and have the potential to guide producers with the long‐term application of pine‐biochar to sandy soils.

Effect of organic and inorganic mulches on growth, yield and fruit quality of peach cv Redhaven

The present study was carried out on the effect of mulch materials on growth, yield and fruit quality of peach [Prunus persica (L) Batsch] cv Redhaven at experimental block of Department of Fruit Science, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh during 2019-2020. Various types of mulches like grass mulch, black polyethylene mulch, silver red polyethylene mulch, polyethylene mulch, nylon mulch mat and coir mulch were evaluated in this experiment. The results of the study showed that plant growth, yield and fruit quality of peach were significantly affected by all the mulching treatments as compared to control. The maximum increase in tree height, spread, volume, annual shoot extension growth, fruit set, lowest fruit drop, fruit yield, leaf area, leaf chlorophyll content, fruit size, weight and volume were recorded in the plants under black polyethylene mulch which was statistically at par with nylon mulch mat. The maximum fruit quality parameters like total soluble solids, titratable acidity, reducing and non-reducing sugars were recorded under nylon mulch mat.

Characterization and Identification of PpEIN3 during the Modulation of Fruit Ripening Process by Ectopic Expressions in Tomato.

First study of PpEIN3 by transgenic experiments to verify its function in the maturity process PpEIN3 is a positive regulator of ethylene signal transduction pathway to promote fruits ripening Ethylene is one of the most important phytohormone in plants and plays a critical role during growth, development, maturity, and aging. The framework of the ethylene signaling pathway is well reported. Nevertheless, studies on Ethylene Insensitive 3 (EIN3), the downstream regulator of the ethylene signaling pathway, need to be investigated, especially in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]. In this study, we cloned PpEIN3 from peach and characterized it in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Our results depicted that the open-reading frame of PpEIN3 was 1875 bp, encoding a protein with 624 amino acid residues that contained a conserved EIN3 domain, a highly conserved N-terminal region, and seven DNA-binding sites. PpEIN3 showed very close association with homologous EIN genes from apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) and grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.). All investigated EIN proteins shared similar domains and structures. The PpEIN3 promoter possessed several motifs related to hormones that affect fruit development and ripening. Spatial-temporal expression analysis revealed that PpEIN3 was expressed at high levels in the late stage of fruit development vs. the early stage. In transgenic tomato, PpEIIN3 showed overexpression and the key ethylene biosynthesis genes SlACO1, SlACS1, and SlSAMS1 were upregulated and promoted early maturation in fruit. By contrast, PpEIIN3 silencing delayed ripening and reduced SlEIN3 expression in tomato. The results confirmed that PpEIN3 is a positive regulator of the ethylene signal transduction pathway, which promoted fruit ripening. Our findings provide valuable insight to the roles in ethylene signal components in the modulation of peach fruit ripening.

Copper treatment of peach leaves causes lesion formation similar to the biotic stress response.

Peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) leaves are sensitive to copper (Cu) exposure. The symptoms of Cu exposure are similar to those of bacterial spot disease; however, the mechanism underlying lesion formation caused by Cu exposure is not clear. Here, we investigated whether lesion formation caused by Cu exposure was related to the mechanism underlying plant resistance to microbial pathogens. When Cu was applied to the centre of a pinhole on peach leaves, a two-step process was observed. A pale green section in the shape of a doughnut, located far from a Cu treatment point, first appeared on a leaf treated with 2 mM CuSO4. Next, a yellow-white section gradually spread from the Cu treatment point to the pale green section. Finally, a gap was formed in the middle of the pale green section. The inner part of the pale green section contained 96% of the Cu applied, indicating that Cu is retained in the lesion area. Real-time PCR analysis of the expression of genes encoding pathogenesis-related proteins and enzymes involved in phytoalexin synthesis revealed that three genes (encoding chitinase, pathogenesis-related protein 4, and β-1,3-glucanase-3) of the eight tested were upregulated by Cu treatment. Furthermore, treatment with caspase-1 inhibitors reduced lesion formation. These results show that Cu treatment of peach leaves causes cell death similar to that occurring during the biotic stress response.

Patents for the Physiological Quality in Seeds of Peach Rootstock Classified by Weight and Stored for Different Periods.

Among stone fruit, the peach (Prunus persica (L) Batsch) is one of the most widely grown species in Brazil, in both area cultivated and in production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of heavy and light seeds of four cultivars of Prunus persica for two storage periods, from tests of electrical conductivity, germination, and an analysis of initial plantlets growth. The Electrical Conductivity test (EC) was conducted in a Completely Randomised Design (CRD), in a 4 x 2 x 5 factorial scheme with five replications. The germination test was carried out in CRD, in a 4 x 2 factorial scheme with eight replications. The physiological quality of the seeds was determined at zero and twelve month's storage. For the growth analysis, the experimental design was in CRD, in a 4 x 2 factorial scheme with four replications. Under the conditions of the present study, it was found that the tests of germination and electrical conductivity were complementary in evaluating physiological quality in seeds of Prunus persica rootstock, suggesting that independent of the weight of the seeds, in 'Capdeboscq', 'Aldrighi', 'Okinawa' and 'Okinawa Roxo', there is a loss of quality and viability when the seeds are stored for a period of 12 months. Under the experimental conditions of the present study, it was concluded that storage for a period of 12 months in Recent patents is not rather recommendable for maintaining quality and viability in seeds of Prunus persica of the Capdeboscq, Aldrighi, Okinawa and Okinawa Roxo cultivars.

Anti-Obesity Effects of the Flower of Prunus persica in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Prunus persica (L.) Batsch is a deciduous fruit tree cultivated worldwide. The flower of P. persica (PPF), commonly called the peach blossom, is currently consumed as a tea for weight loss in East Asia; however, its anti-obesity effects have yet to be demonstrated in vitro or in vivo. Since PPF is rich in phytochemicals with anti-obesity properties, we aimed to investigate the effects of PPF on obesity and its underlying mechanism using a diet-induced obesity model. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed either normal diet, high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD containing 0.2% or 0.6% PPF water extract for 8 weeks. PPF significantly reduced body weight, abdominal fat mass, serum glucose, alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, and liver and spleen weights compared to the HFD control group. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that PPF suppressed lipogenic gene expression, including stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 and -2 and fatty acid synthase, and up-regulated the fatty acid β-oxidation gene, carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1, in the liver. Our results suggest that PPF exerts anti-obesity effects in obese mice and these beneficial effects might be mediated through improved hepatic lipid metabolism by reducing lipogenesis and increasing fatty acid oxidation.

Exogenous phosphatidylcholine treatment alleviates drought stress and maintains the integrity of root cell membranes in peach

Phosphatidylcholine is a primary class of membrane lipids in most eukaryotes. In plants, the primary phosphatidylcholine biosynthetic pathway and its role in plant growth and development remain elusive due to lack of a mutant model with substantially decreased phosphatidylcholine content. In this study, we investigated whether the exogenous application of phosphatidylcholine can improve drought tolerance and reduce drought-induced damage to one-year-old peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.). In this experiment, phosphatidylcholine was applied directly to the soil at concentrations of 200 mg/L, 500 mg/L, and 1000 mg/L to drought-stressed peach trees and at a concentration of 500 mg/L to control trees not subjected to drought stress. After these treatments, we assessed the net photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll content (i.e. SPAD values) of drought-stressed and unstressed trees. We found that trees sprayed with phosphatidylcholine resembled well-watered trees, but drought-stressed trees not supplemented with phosphatidylcholine showed a lower photosynthetic rate. In trees given sufficient water, the length and width of leaf stomata did not significantly differ regardless of whether plants were treated with phosphatidylcholine or not. However, untreated drought-stressed trees showed incompletely filled guard cells and low stomatal density relative to control trees. In addition, we also found that in drought-stressed trees exogenous phosphatidylcholine treatment resulted in significant increases in proline content as well as decreases in electrolyte leakage and the degree of damage to the cell membrane. Moreover, transmission electron microscopic observation of root cells of treated and untreated peach seedlings showed that phosphatidylcholine treatment protected the integrity of root cells in response to drought stress. Taken together, our results suggest that phosphatidylcholine treatment can improve the drought tolerance of young peach trees and can reduce the damage to cell membranes caused by drought stress.

Copper and zinc distribution and toxicity in ‘Jade’ / ‘Genovesa’ young peach tree

The frequent application of fungicides containing copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in orchards can lead to accumulation of these metals in soil at toxic levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate Cu and Zn distribution and toxicity in young peach trees grown in Cu and Zn supplemented soil. For this purpose, a pot experiment was carried out in a greenhouse using a Typic Hapludalf soil under natural conditions. The two-factor experiment investigated the combination of Cu (0, 30 and 60 mg kg−1) and Zn (0, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 180 mg kg−1) rates in four replicates per treatment. ‛Jade’ young peach trees [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] grafted on ‛Genovesa’ (P. salicina) propagated by herbaceous cuttings were then cultivated for 78 days with one plant per pot. Height increase, dry matter production, Cu and Zn concentration in plant organs, photosynthetic pigments and antioxidant activity were evaluated. Soil available Cu and Zn content increased with the rate. Consequently, plants presented Zn, and mainly Cu, accumulation mechanisms in root system, reduced transport of both elements to leaves, where toxic effects of heavy metals was observed. However, combining high content of soil available Cu and Zn, especially at higher doses, resulted in decreased production of dry matter production. Biochemical parameters were also affected. The SOD activity was smaller in peach leaves grown in the soil supplemented with Cu, while the chlorophyll a and b content decreased according to the increase of Zn rate, compromising the antioxidant response and the photosynthetic activity. Thus, increasing soil available Cu and Zn contents in sandy soil with low organic matter soils may maximize toxic effects to young peach trees.

Endothelium-Dependent Vasorelaxant Effect of Prunus Persica Branch on Isolated Rat Thoracic Aorta

Peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) is a popular fruit consumed by people worldwide, owing to its pleasant flavor and high mineral nutrient content. A few plants from the genus Prunus, such as Prunus yedoensis, Prunus cerasus, and Prunus serotina have shown vasorelaxant and vasodilatory effects, to date, no study has investigated the vasorelaxation effects of the P. persica branch extract (PPE). The vasorelaxant effect of PPE was endothelium-dependent, and it was related to the NO-sGC-cGMP, vascular prostacyclin, and muscarinic receptor transduction pathway. K+ channels, such as the BKCa, KV, and KATP channels, were partially associated with PPE-induced vasorelaxation. PPE was effective in relaxing serotonin (5-HT)- or angiotensin II-induced contraction; furthermore, PPE attenuated Ca2+-induced vasoconstriction by IP3 receptors in the SR membrane, but its vasorelaxant effect was not associated with the influx of extracellular Ca2+ via receptor-operative Ca2+ channels or voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. Recognizing the rising use of functional foods for hypertension treatment, our findings imply that PPE may be a natural antihypertensive agent.

Oviposition preferences in Grapholita molesta: the relative importance of visual and olfactory cues

AbstractThe oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a major pest of fruit trees worldwide. Females oviposit on the young leaves of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch (Rosaceae)] shoots at twilight, when light intensity changes markedly. Previous researches have shown that the oviposition response of this moth is guided particularly by visual and olfactory cues from host plants. However, the relative importance of visual and olfactory cues in their oviposition preference is largely unknown. As a crepuscular moth, how do choices change as light intensity drops rapidly from day to night? In the present study, through two‐choice behavioural experiments, the oviposition responses of G. molesta to visual and olfactory cues (alone or in combination) from peach shoots were tested at four light intensities ranging from daylight to starlight. Grapholita molesta showed similar oviposition responses to plant cues under 1 000, 100, 1 and 0.01 mW m−2 illumination. Olfactory cues from peach shoots attracted significantly more oviposition than the negative control, whereas visual cues alone did not. Furthermore, olfactory cues were more attractive than visual cues, and no significant interaction was observed between the responses to the two cues. Our findings indicate that G. molesta females mainly rely on olfactory cues to recognize oviposition sites, regardless of differences in light intensity. These results do not provide evidence for attraction to visual cues, but the possibility that the brightness of leaves might be used to guide oviposition is discussed.

Fruit and Leaf Sensing for Continuous Detection of Nectarine Water Status.

Continuous assessment of plant water status indicators provides the most precise information for irrigation management and automation, as plants represent an interface between soil and atmosphere. This study investigated the relationship of plant water status to continuous fruit diameter (FD) and inverse leaf turgor pressure rates (pp) in nectarine trees [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] throughout fruit development. The influence of deficit irrigation treatments on stem (Ψstem) and leaf water potential, leaf relative water content, leaf stomatal conductance, and fruit growth was studied across the stages of double-sigmoidal fruit development in ‘September Bright’ nectarines. Fruit relative growth rate (RGR) and leaf relative pressure change rate (RPCR) were derived from FD and pp to represent rates of water in- and outflows in the organs, respectively. Continuous RGR and RPCR dynamics were independently and jointly related to plant water status and environmental variables. The independent use of RGR and RPCR yielded significant associations with midday Ψstem, the most representative index of tree water status in anisohydric species. However, a combination of nocturnal fruit and leaf parameters unveiled an even more significant relationship with Ψstem, suggesting a changing behavior of fruit and leaf water flows in response to pronounced water deficit. In conclusion, we highlight the suitability of a dual-organ sensing approach for improved prediction of tree water status.

Danhong Huayu Koufuye prevents venous thrombosis through antiinflammation via Sirtuin 1/NF-κB signaling pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevanceDanhong Huayu Koufuye (DHK), a compound traditional Chinese medicine, is composed of Salvia miltiorrhiza radix (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.), Angelicae Sinensis radix (Angelicae Sinensis (Oliv.) Diels.), Chuanxiong rhizoma (Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.), Persicae semen (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch), Carthami flos (Carthamus tinctorius L.), Bupleuri radix (Bupleurum chinense DC.) and Aurantii fructus (Citrus aurantium L.). DHK prevents deep vein thrombosis (DVT) through antiinflammation. However, the antiinflammatory mechanism of DHK is still unknown. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate whether DHK prevented venous thrombosis through antiinflammation via Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/NF-κB signaling pathway. MethodsInferior vena cava (IVC) stenosis-induced DVT rat model was established. Rats were administered with DHK (1.6, 3.2 or 6.4 mL/kg/d, p.o.), heparin (200 U/kg/d, i.v.), clopidogrel (25 mg/kg/d, p.o.), resveratrol (50 mg/kg/d, p.o.) or vehicle (p.o.) once daily for two days. Blood coagulation, blood fibrinolysis, blood viscosity, blood cell counts and platelet activity were evaluated. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Protein expressions in thrombosed IVCs were evaluated by Western blot and/or immunofluorescence analyses. SIRT1 mRNA expression was analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Besides, SIRT1-specific inhibitor EX527 was pretreated to confirm the role of SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathway in the antithrombotic effect of DHK. ResultsDHK remarkably prevented DVT. DHK had no effects on blood coagulation, blood fibrinolysis, blood viscosity, blood cell counts or platelet activity. But DHK significantly up-regulated protein and mRNA expressions of SIRT1, and reduced leukocytes infiltration into thrombus and vein wall, serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, and protein expressions of acetylated p65 (Ace-p65), phosphorylated p65 (p-p65) and tissue factor (TF). Moreover, the antithrombotic effect of DHK was significantly abolished by EX527. ConclusionDHK may prevent DVT by inhibiting inflammation via SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Refining the Genomic Region Containing a Major Locus Controlling Fruit Maturity in Peach

Maturity date (MD), defined as the duration between the first calendar day of the year and maturity, and fruit development period (FDP), defined as the duration between full bloom and maturity, are highly variable in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]. There is a need to discover molecular markers associated with these traits in order to enhance the efficiency and reliability of breeding for extending the harvest season in peach. An association mapping population consisting of 132 peach accessions was phenotypically evaluated for MD and FDP, and genotypically characterized using the genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) approach. The phenotypic and genotypic data collected were used to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS). The GWAS identified three SNPs on chromosome 4 that are significantly associated with both FDP and MD. These three SNPs covered a region of 43,067 bp; we referred to this region as the MD/FDP locus. Seven genes were identified in the MD/FDP locus. One or more of these genes is believed to regulate some aspect of maturity in peach. The data reported here is expected to aid in marker-assisted seedling selection (MASS) targeted towards widening peach germplasm for maturity, particularly early maturity.

Drought Tolerance of Navajo and Lovell Peach Trees: Precision Water Stress Using Automated Weighing Lysimeters

Native American tribes have been cultivating peaches [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] since their introduction to North America in the 1600s. In the American Southwest, peach orchards derived from centuries of seed selections have been maintained in relative isolation from commercial cultivars. These Native American peach selections may be better adapted to the arid climate of the Intermountain West. We compared physiological robustness during water stress of seedling peaches from a 60-year-old orchard maintained by Navajo farmers in southwestern Utah to the commercial peach rootstock Lovell. Six replicate trees of each rootstock were subjected to eight cycles of controlled drought on an automated lysimeter system, which monitored transpiration rate continuously. Trees were selected for uniform size and transpiration rate at the start of the study. During the drought cycles, individual trees were watered when their transpiration rate decreased to less than 250 g of water per day, ≈20% of their well-watered daily transpiration rate. After the first cycle of drought, the transpiration rate of the Navajo trees was greater than the Lovell trees, so they depleted their root-zone water more rapidly and experienced greater water stress. Despite greater stress, the Navajo selection had greater leaf area and dry weight at harvest. Because the root system was confined, these results indicate that the Navajo selection may have greater resilience when experiencing drought, independent of the depth and distribution of the root system. However, this study was not able to determine whether physiological resilience during drought was a result of canopy or root characteristics. Field studies are needed to determine whether root distribution or depth also contribute to drought tolerance in the Navajo selection.

Controlled-temperature Treatments with Low-cost, Off-the-shelf Equipment for Bud or Seed Forcing Experiments

Inexpensive plug-and-play temperature controllers have recently become available. These allow a chest freezer to be programmed easily to hold a desired set point across a range of biologically relevant temperatures. Installation can be completed in a few minutes using consumer-grade chest freezers. We used these temperature controllers to create five temperature-controlled chambers at 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 °C. We demonstrated the use of these controlled-temperature chambers with two biologic assays: floral budbreak of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] stem cuttings and germination of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seeds. We used the budbreak and germination rates at multiple temperatures to estimate base temperatures and thermal time requirements for development.

Assessment of Pru p 1 and Pru p 3 in peach fruit by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Pru p 1 and Pru p 3 are proteins found in peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch), and they are members of the pathogenesis-related protein 10 (PR-10) and non-specific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP) families, respectively. They are the main allergens of peach. In this paper, we describe a quantitative method for these proteins based on protein absolute quantification with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, and LVASPSGGSIIK[13C6,15N2] and ISASTNC[CAM]ATVK[13C6,15N2] (C[CAM]: carbamidomethyl-modified C), stable isotope-labelled internal standard peptides. We show that this method exhibits linearity with r2 > 0.97 in a dose range of 3.1–200 fmol/μL for LVASPSGGSIIK[13C6,15N2] and 13–200 fmol/μL for ISASTNC[CAM]ATVK[13C6,15N2]), and overall coefficients of variation for multiple tests of 11.6–30.1%. This approach is therefore helpful for screening and breeding low allergenic peach cultivars.

Interactive effects of abscisic acid and nitric oxide on chilling resistance and active oxygen metabolism in peach fruit during cold storage.

Cold conditions can accelerate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and excessive ROS may attack biological macromolecules, disrupt related signal pathways, induce oxidative stress and influence plant metabolism. The cross-talk between nitric oxide (NO) and abscisic acid (ABA) and the inhibitions by NO or ABA on oxidative damage have been reported in fruits. However, there are few reports about the roles of NO-ABA interactions in chilling stress and antioxidant defense in fruits during cold storage. This study was conducted to investigate the roles of NO, ABA and interactions between NO and ABA in response to chilling stress on peach fruit (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, cv. 'Xintaihong'). Treatments with 15 µmol L-1 NO, 100 µmol L-1 ABA and 15 µmol L-1 NO + 5mmol L-1 sodium tungstate solution could reduce ROS content, alleviate lipid peroxidation and enhance antioxidant enzyme activities and antioxidant capacities. However, treatments with 5µmol L-1 potassium 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (c-PTIO), 5mmol L-1 sodium tungstate and 100 µmol L-1 ABA + 5µmol L-1 c-PTIO differentially blocked these protective effects and significantly increased ROS content and lipid peroxidation of peaches under low-temperature conditions. Application of exogenous ABA could increase the resistance to cold-induced oxidative stress by enhancing the efficiency of enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems, which were partially mediated by NO. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Physicochemical and Descriptive Sensory Analysis of Arkansas-grown Peaches and Nectarines

Understanding how human perception is related to physicochemical attributes strengthens identification of ripeness and marketability parameters for peaches and nectarines [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]. Six peach and nectarine cultivars (Amoore Sweet, Bowden, Effie, Loring, Souvenirs, and White River) and three advanced breeding selections (A-827, A-850, and A-865) were harvested from trees grown at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Fruit Breeding Program in Clarksville, AR. Physical and chemical characteristics of the genotypes at harvest were as follows: fruit weight of 134.4 to 330.2 g, firmness of 7.8 to 35.8 N, soluble solids of 7.5% to 14.7%, pH of 3.3 to 4.8, titratable acidity of 0.2% to 1.1%, total sugars of 1.7 to 10.4 g/100 g, and total organic acids of 0.1 to 0.9 g/100 g. Overall, A-865 had the lowest fruit weight (134.0 g) and pH (3.3), and the highest firmness (35.8 N), soluble solids (14.7%), titratable acidity (1.1%), total sugars (10.4 g/100 g), and total organic acids (0.8 g/100 g). ‘White River’ had the largest fruit (330.2 g) and pit (11.06 g). A-850 (63.6) had the highest soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio, and ‘Bowden’ (12.7) had the lowest. A trained descriptive sensory panel (n = 10) was used to create a lexicon for Arkansas-grown fresh-market peaches and nectarines. The panel evaluated the fruit for aroma (n = 4), external appearance (n = 8), internal appearance and pit attributes (n = 6), basic tastes (n = 3), aromatics while eating fruit (n = 5), feeling factors (n = 2), and texture (n = 6). Principal component analysis explained 63.4% of the data variance attributed to texture and acidity. Of all of the physicochemical attributes, firmness had the most significant correlations with the descriptive sensory attributes, followed by fruit weight. Firmness was negatively correlated (r = −0.70 to 0.81) to fruit size, fuzziness, amount of bruises on the flesh, pit size, and moisture release, and positively correlated (r = 0.68–0.84) to sourness, green/unripe aromatics, flesh hardness, flesh crispness, and fibrousness between the teeth. Fruit weight was positively correlated (r = 0.67–0.75) to fruit and pit size, overripe aromatics, and moisture release. Significant correlations between descriptive sensory appearance, basic tastes, aromatics, and texture attributes with physicochemical attributes provide an indication of ripeness and marketability parameters for peaches and nectarines. These descriptive attributes are quality factors that impact consumer purchases and perception of fresh-market peaches and nectarines.

Comparative Transcriptome Profiling in a Segregating Peach Population with Contrasting Juiciness Phenotypes.

Cold storage of fruit is one of the methods most commonly employed to extend the postharvest lifespan of peaches ( Prunus persica (L.) Batsch). However, fruit quality in this species is affected negatively by mealiness, a physiological disorder triggered by chilling injury after long periods of exposure to low temperatures during storage and manifested mainly as a lack of juiciness, which ultimately modifies the organoleptic properties of peach fruit. The aim of this study was to identify molecular components and metabolic processes underlying mealiness in susceptible and nonsusceptible segregants. Transcriptome and qRT-PCR profiling were applied to individuals with contrasting juiciness phenotypes in a segregating F2 population. Our results suggest that mealiness is a multiscale phenomenon, because juicy and mealy fruit display distinctive reprogramming processes affecting translational machinery and lipid, sugar, and oxidative metabolism. The candidate genes identified may be useful tools for further crop improvement.

Using SSR markers from Prunus genus for wild cherry genotyping

Prunus genus include fruit and wooden species. Because its economic importance, both phenotypic and genetic markers have been developed and used in genetic studies. Among them, for their versatility, degree of transferability and repeatability, some microsatellite sets have been developed for several species from this genus.Although they have been successfully used inside the Rosaceae family, their transferability to other species and/or provenances different for what they were designed, must be first assessed. Thus, the higher the number of markers assessed, the higher their applicability for performing genetic studies. Hence, the functionality of 20 microsatellite markers designed for P. persica (L.) Batsch and P. avium L. were tested for genotyping a wild cherry progeny for wood production. Scorable amplifications and reasonably high polymorphism were registered for 13 out of 20 SSR assessed, averaging 7.7 alleles/ locus. The observed heterozygosity ranges from 0.513 to 0.946; with allelic frequencies below 0.50, except for two loci. The individual discriminative power goes from 0.045 to 0.250; while the combined random probability of identity was as low as 1.8114x10-13, allowing to identify and to differentiate unambiguously individuals in the sample formed by 36 trees. According these results, this set has showed its potential for genotyping plus trees from wild cherry for wood production.