Red Color Development Research Articles

Aminoethoxyvinylglicine and 1-Methylcyclopropene: Effects on Preharvest Drop, Fruit Maturity, Quality, and Associated Gene Expression of 'Honeycrisp' Apples in the US Mid-Atlantic.

Preharvest fruit drop is one of the main challenges in apple production as it can lead to extensive crop losses in commercially important cultivars including 'Honeycrisp'. Plant growth regulators, such as aminoethoxyvinylglicine (AVG) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), which hinder ethylene biosynthesis and perception, respectively, can control preharvest fruit drop, but an assessment of their effects in 'Honeycrisp' fruit grown under US mid-Atlantic conditions is lacking. In this study, we evaluated the effects of AVG (130 mg a.i. L-1) and 1-MCP (150 mg a.i. L-1) on preharvest fruit drop, ethylene production, fruit physicochemical parameters, skin color, and transcript accumulation of ethylene and anthocyanin-related genes in 'Honeycrisp' apples throughout on-the-tree ripening. We showed that both AVG and 1-MCP significantly minimized preharvest fruit drop with respect to the control fruit. Additionally, AVG was the most effective in decreasing ethylene production, downregulating ethylene biosynthesis and perception-related gene expression, and delaying fruit maturity. Nevertheless, AVG negatively impacted apple red skin color and exhibited the lowest expression of anthocyanin-biosynthesis-related genes, only allowing apples to reach the minimum required 50% blush at the last ripening stage. Conversely, 1-MCP-treated fruit displayed an intermediate behavior between AVG-treated and control fruit, decreasing ethylene production rates and the associated gene expression as well as delaying fruit maturity when compared to the control fruit. Remarkably, 1-MCP treatment did not sacrifice red skin color development or anthocyanin-biosynthesis-related gene expression, thus exhibiting > 50% blush one week earlier than AVG.

Pharmacognostical Studies on 'Jivanti' Part IV - <I>Dregea Volubilis</I> (Linn. F.) Benth

'Jivanti an important Ayurvedic drug, has variously been ascribed to different botanical taxa, Dregea volubilis (Linn.f.) Benth. being one such species. A detailed pharmacognosy of vegetative parts of the above species has been dealt within the present paper. This includes organoleptic and microscopic characters, fluorescence analysis of the drug powder and its behaviour on treating with different chemical reagents, preliminary phytochemical studies of various extractives and their TLG patterns and ash values. Some of the salient diagnostic characters revealed by this study are : diarch primary stele in the root, origin of phellogen in the second cortical layer of stem, presence of pericycle as 2 rows of irregularly arranged strands of partially lignified fibres mixed with a few, sclereids, commonly occurring uni- and bi-seriate rays in both the root and the stem, a stout obscurely channelled petiole with three leaf traces, development of red colour in the aqueous extract of powdered root on heating with phloroglucinol and conc. Hcl.

Image analysis and polyphenol profiling unveil red-flesh apple phenotype complexity.

The genetic basis of colour development in red-flesh apples (Malus domestica Borkh) has been widely characterised; however, current models do not explain the observed variations in red pigmentation intensity and distribution. Available methods to evaluate the red-flesh trait rely on the estimation of an average overall colour using a discrete class notation index. However, colour variations among red-flesh cultivars are continuous while development of red colour is non-homogeneous and genotype-dependent. A robust estimation of red-flesh colour intensity and distribution is essential to fully capture the diversity among genotypes and provide a basis to enable identification of loci influencing the red-flesh trait. In this study, we developed a multivariable approach to evaluate the red-flesh trait in apple. This method was implemented to study the phenotypic diversity in a segregating hybrid F1 family (91 genotypes). We developed a Python pipeline based on image and colour analysis to quantitatively dissect the red-flesh pigmentation from RGB (Red Green Blue) images and compared the efficiency of RGB and CIEL*a*b* colour spaces in discriminating genotypes previously classified with a visual notation. Chemical destructive methods, including targeted-metabolite analysis using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (UPLC-UV), were performed to quantify major phenolic compounds in fruits' flesh, as well as pH and water contents. Multivariate analyses were performed to study covariations of biochemical factors in relation to colour expression in CIEL*a*b* colour space. Our results indicate that anthocyanin, flavonol and flavanol concentrations, as well as pH, are closely related to flesh pigmentation in apple. Extraction of colour descriptors combined to chemical analyses helped in discriminating genotypes in relation to their flesh colour. These results suggest that the red-flesh trait in apple is a complex trait associated with several biochemical factors.

An Insight into the Hormonal Interplay Regulating Pigment Changes and Colour Development in the Peel of ‘Granny Smith’, ‘OPAL®’ and ‘Royal Gala’ Apples

AbstractThree apple cultivars with different peel colour and known ripening dynamics were examined throughout development and on-tree ripening to unravel how the hormonal crosstalk may influence colour changes. Our results indicate that the colour of ripe apples in ‘Granny Smith’ and ‘Opal®’ cultivars was primarily influenced by chlorophyll levels masking the contribution of other pigments, whilst the development of red colour in the ‘Royal Gala’ was not only due to an important loss of chlorophyll during ripening but also to anthocyanins accumulation. The interplay amongst indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), ethylene and abscisic acid (ABA) seemed to control pigment content during the later stages of development, indicating that variations in the hormonal profile contribute to colour differences in ripe apples. In ‘Granny Smith’ apples, basal levels of IAA, ethylene and ABA were associated with the inhibition of chlorophyll loss, which was responsible for its green colour, despite the presence of high carotenoid levels. In contrast, the peel of ‘Opal®’ and ‘Royal Gala’ apples underwent a degreening process facilitated by the IAA-mediated activation of ethylene metabolism, in a crosstalk facilitated by MdARF5. The accumulation of anthocyanins in the peel of ‘Royal Gala’ apples seemed to be regulated in an ethylene-dependent manner, with MdMYB1 acting as the mediator between ethylene signalling and the anthocyanins biosynthesis and vacuolar transport pathways. On the other hand, the decline in carotenoid content during fruit development in the three cultivars appeared to be regulated at the catabolic level through ABA and its derivatives and possibly also facilitated by ethylene-mediated mechanisms. Notably, chlorophyll levels, crucial for the observed colour changes, were likely controlled by MdGLK1, a transcription factor involved in chloroplast biogenesis, working in coordination with ethylene-dependent catabolic enzymes. Overall, understanding the cultivar-specific hormonal regulation of apple colour provides valuable insights for developing preharvest and postharvest strategies to ensure an optimal fruit colour aligned with consumer preferences.

Pre- and Post-harvest Elicitation with Methyl Jasmonate and Salicylic Acid Followed by Cold Storage Synergistically Improves Red Colour Development and Health-Promoting Compounds in Blood Oranges

Red blush is one of the key quality markers of blood orange fruit (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck). Therefore, the influence of pre- (1, 2, and 3 mM) and postharvest (0.5, 1, and 1.5 mM) methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA) (1, 2, and 3 mM) treatments on redness, colouring pigments, and health-promoting compounds in cold stored ‘Tarocco Ippolito’ blood oranges was investigated. Preharvest application of 3 mM MeJA significantly increased rind citrus colour index (CCI) by 43.3% and colorimetric coordinate a* (redness) by 3.1% and decreased h° (hue angle, 0 = red), L* (lightness), and b* (yellowness) by 13.7%, 12.6%, and 23.4%, respectively. This treatment also enhanced CCI (57.4%), reduced h° (16.5%) and L* (36.4%), and increased total anthocyanins (88%), monomeric anthocyanins (117%), and flavonoids (77%) in the juice. Postharvest dip of 1.5 mM MeJA (5 min) improved CCI of juice (53.6%) and a* (5.5%), reduced h° (15.9%), L* (19.8%), and b* (19.4%), and increased total anthocyanins (66.7%), monomeric anthocyanins (74%), and flavonoids (23.4%) in the juice. Preharvest application of 1 mM SA increased rind CCI (50.8%) and reduced L* (13.6%), b* (16.4%), and h° (29.5%). All preharvest SA treatments significantly increased total phenolics in the juice. Lycopene was increased (61.7%) by 5 min postharvest dip of 3 mM SA. In conclusion, 3 mM preharvest spray application of MeJA four weeks before harvest and postharvest dip of 1.5 mM MeJA (5 min) are effective in improving red colour of rind and juice and health-promoting compounds in blood orange juice.

Studies on the orange red color development on the surface of the dried Ume (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.) in a drying system equipped with full spectrum artificial sunlight

An orange-red fraction was obtained from fully sun-dried Ume (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.) using a layer extraction method with acetone, methanol, and chloride as organic solvents. Liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis revealed a series of (-)-epicatechin (EC) dimers and trimers. The polymers were compared with published m/z negative mode and their fragments were characterized as procyanidin B2–2 (A-type dimer), procyanidin C1–2 (A-type trimer), and procyanidin C1–4 (dehydrotriepicatechin B1). High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) analysis showed that the dehydrotriepicatechin B1 peak had an absorption maximum of 425 nm in the visible light range (400–600 nm). Similar results were obtained when salted Ume were subjected to simulated sunlight drying conditions using a low-temperature artificial drying system. Testing of blue light in an (-)-epicatechin (EC) model system showed the strongest catalytic effect. This study suggests that during sun-drying of salted Ume, (-)-epicatechin (EC) concentrates on the epidermis and undergoes photooxidative polymerization after sufficient sun exposure, further producing double bonds that cause the surface of sun-dried Ume to appear orange-red. This research has led to an innovative drying system that can replace sun-drying and avoid external factors such as insects, bacteria, meteorology, and food nutrition improvement that affect the quality of dried products.

Molecularly imprinted polymer on cotton materials as substrates for smartphone-based image and distance-based analysis of Cu(II) in water samples.

Cotton fabric was used as a substrate for smartphone-based image analysis of Cu(II) in drinking water. To enhance its selective and specific binding sites on the cotton surface, a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was introduced using color complexes of 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol-Cu(II) (PAR-Cu(II)) as the template molecule, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) as the functional monomer, tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as the crosslinker and NH3 as the catalyst. After achieving optimum conditions, the obtained CF-MIP/PAR-Cu(II) presented a red color, which was changed to yellow upon the removal of Cu(II) with 1.5 M HCl. After using CF-MIP/PAR to detect Cu(II), the red, green and blue intensities of the images captured using a smartphone were analyzed using the ImageJ program. For the calibration curve plotted between Δgreen intensity and Cu concentration, the linear range was 0.10-1.0 mg L-1 with the best correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.999. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) were found to be 0.038 and 0.11 mg L-1, respectively. To obtain a distance-based device, MIP-modified cotton thread (CT-MIP/PAR) with a four-channel design was used as an alternative device. The distance of red color development was measured after using CT-MIP/PAR to detect Cu(II). The linear range was 0.50-3.0 mg L-1 with an R2 of 0.997. The LOD and LOQ were 0.18 and 0.56 mg L-1, respectively. The proposed methods provide simple, portable and inexpensive devices with high accuracy and precision for the detection of Cu(II) in drinking water.

The influence of the summer pruning on ‘Fuji’ apples storage under controlled atmosphere

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the summer pruning time in ‘Fuji’ apple trees on the quality of fruit at harvest and after storage in controlled atmosphere with extremely low O2 (CA-ELO) (0.5 kPa O2). The treatments evaluated were summer pruning in December, January, and February, in addition to a control treatment (without summer pruning). The experiment was carried out in the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 growing seasons. The fruit were evaluated at harvest and after eight months of CA-ELO (0.5 kPa O2 + <0.5 kPa CO2/1.5 ± 0.2°C/92 ± 2% RH) storage, at chamber opening, and after 7 days of shelf-life at 23 ± 3°C and 60 ± 5% RH. The quality of the fruit was evaluated through of soluble solids, flesh firmness, titratable acidity, fruit color, and physiological disorder incidence (sunburn and flesh browning), in addition to enzymatic activity and concentration of functional compounds. There was no significant effect of the summer pruning time on fruit flesh firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity, and rot incidence after storage under CA-ELO plus 7 days of shelf life. Summer pruning in February resulted in fruit with higher peel red color development, which in general contains a higher concentration of functional compounds at harvest (total phenolic compounds and total antioxidant activity), and lower flesh browning incidence in ‘Fuji’ apples stored under CA-ELO. The nitrogen (N) concentration and nitrogen/calcium ratio (N/Ca) in the second growing season were lower in fruit from plants pruned in February, compared to no summer pruning or earlier pruning. The superoxide dismutase and peroxidase enzyme activity were lower in fruit from treatments with summer pruning in January and February, whereas the polyphenol oxidase enzyme activity was lower when summer pruning was conducted in February.

Impact of Photo-treatment on Tomato Physiological Qualities during Storage and On-shelf Display

Tomato's short shelf life and economic significance resulted in its classification as a model for studying the physiological behavior of fruits and vegetables. This study employs light treatment to investigate the effect of various light spectrums on tomatoes' physiological qualities. Four light treatments, white LED, 5R:1B LED, 5B:1R LED , and the control (without light treatment) were placed under a storage condition with a temperature of 5ºC and relative humidity of 88% for 5 days and an on-shelf display condition of 22ºC and relative humidity of 78%. Response variables were colour changes, firmness, total soluble solids, and pH. It was observed that 5R:1B LED significantly increase red colour development in tomatoes during storage and on-shelf display condition, promoting lycopene accumulation, while 5B:1R LED delays red colour accumulation during storage but rather prolong pale-yellow colour development during shelf display condition, promoting ζ- carotene and xanthophyll accumulation. Tomatoes treated with 5B:1R and white LED enhance tomato firmness more than the control samples during storage and on-shelf display. 5B:1R LED reduces the pH of tomatoes significantly, making them more acidic and resistance to microbes, while 5R:1B enhances the sugar accumulation of tomatoes. This makes photo-treatment a sustainable technique for tomato physiological quality preservation and senescence postponement.

Retractable Netting and Evaporative Cooling for Sunburn Control and Increasing Red Color for ‘Honeycrisp’ Apple

Protective netting and evaporative cooling are commonly used for sunburn protection in apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) orchards in semiarid environments such as central Washington state. Sunburn is caused by a combination of solar radiation and heat, which can cause significant economic losses. Although protective netting and evaporative cooling can be effective for preventing apple sunburn, netting can also introduce new risks, including red color development on the fruit surface. This study evaluated whether retracting netting before harvest improves red color development and/or changes sunburn risk compared with leaving netting in place until after harvest. An experiment was conducted that compared three netting treatments: 1) netting from June until harvest, 2) netting retracted 10 d before harvest, and 3) no netting all season combined with the presence or absence of evaporative cooling. Fruit was harvested and assessed for sunburn incidence and external quality characteristics immediately after harvest. In retracted netting treatments, red color was higher when netting was retracted compared with the nonretracted controls, and sunburn risk did not increase with netting retraction. Evaporative cooling reduced sunburn incidence. Retractable netting can be used to minimize the loss of fruit to sunburn while allowing a full light environment that promotes red color near harvest. There is no inherent increase in sunburn risk from netting retraction, and the proportion of fruit with red color improved.

Aminoethoxyvinylglycine Reduces Preharvest Fruit Drop and Fruit Ethylene Evolution in ‘Red Delicious’ Apple but Affects Fruit Size and Quality Inconsistently

Aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) is widely used in commercial apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) production to reduce preharvest fruit drop (PFD) and delay ripening for harvest management. Recently, the maximum allowable concentration of AVG was doubled (up to 264 mg⋅L−1). Reports of the relationship between the AVG concentration and fruit growth, size, and quality have been contradictory. We evaluated the relationship between the AVG concentration and PFD, fruit size, fruit quality, and expression of ethylene signaling-related and cell wall modification-related genes. Experiments were conducted in 2019 and 2020 using mature ‘Red Delicious’ in western North Carolina. The AVG treatments [0 and 132 (AVG-1x) and 264 mg⋅L−1 (AVG-2x)] were applied 3 weeks before the expected harvest. The AVG treatments reduced fruit drop and internal ethylene concentration relative to the control in both years. There was no difference in drop between AVG-1x and AVG-2x applications. Only in 2020 did AVG treatments delay fruit softening and starch hydrolysis and reduce soluble solids concentration. There were no effects on red fruit color development. Fruit size was unaffected by AVG in 2019, but it was reduced in 2020 with the AVG-2x application. AVG reduced ethylene synthesis and altered signaling, evidenced by decreased relative expression of genes related to ethylene signaling (ARGOS1, ARGOS2). AVG applications also reduced the expression of EXPA8;1, suggesting that reduced cell wall disassembly was associated with a reduction in fruit softening. These results indicate that preharvest applications of 132 mg⋅L−1 AVG effectively reduced PFD via altering ethylene evolution and signaling. Use of a higher AVG concentration was of limited benefit.

Enhancing Red Fruit Coloration of Apples in the Southeastern US with Reflective Fabrics

For some apple cultivars, inadequate red fruit color development can reduce crop value. The use of reflective groundcovers has been demonstrated to improve red coloration in apples in other regions, but evaluation in the southeastern USA has been limited. To address this, we compared the performance of multiple reflective groundcovers in 2018 and 2020 on mature ‘Fuji’ trees in Edneyville, NC, USA. Woven reflective (Extenday® DayBright, Lumilys® WH100, Beltech PD2911, and Belton experimental), mylar, and sod groundcovers were deployed ~5 weeks before anticipated harvest. The effects of the treatment on light reflectance (photosynthetically active and UV radiation), fruit color, fruit quality, and crop value were determined. Across both years of evaluation, reflective groundcovers were consistent in increasing the reflectance of photosynthetically active radiation. However, only Extenday® DayBright consistently increased reflected UV radiation (250–400 nm), red fruit coloration at commercial harvest, and crop value. Fruit maturity and sunburn incidence were not influenced by any treatment in both years. Reflected UV light quality was not characterized, but it is clear that UV250–400nm reflectance intensity is critical to enhance ‘Fuji’ fruit color development. Growers in the southeastern US can use reflective groundcovers to enhance red fruit coloration to meet market demands.

A NAC transcription factor, PpNAC1, regulates the expression of PpMYB10.1 to promote anthocyanin biosynthesis in the leaves of peach trees in autumn

Red leaves in autumn are characteristic of a very early-maturing ripening variety of peach (Prunus persica). Analysis of the genetic factors and molecular mechanisms associated with the red-leaf phenotype can help breed peach very early maturing peach varieties. This study investigated the mechanisms underlying the red- and green-leaf phenotypes in autumn. Red compounds accumulated in the older but not younger leaves in the extremely early-maturing peach variety, ‘99-30-33’, and the leaves of the medium-maturing variety, ‘Zhongtao5 (CP5)’. Metabolic analysis showed that cyanidin-3-O-glucoside was the most abundant anthocyanin in the red leaves. The segregation of the progenies obtained from crossing revealed that the red leaves are a unique hereditary phenomenon not in line with Mendel’s law. BSA-seq and RNA-seq analyses suggest that PpNAC1 was essential for enhancing anthocyanin biosynthesis and was highly upregulated in red than in green leaves. Similar to PpNAC1, the anthocyanin activator, PpMYB10.1, was the only gene highly expressed in red leaves. Moreover, the functional genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis, such as Prunus persica Flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase (PpF3'H), Prunus persicaDihydroflavonol reductase (PpDFR), Prunus persica Leucoantho-cyanidin dioxygenase (Pp LDOX), Prunus persica Glutathione S-transferase (PpGST), and Prunus persica UDP-glucose, flavonoid-3-O-glucosyltransferase (PpUFGT), were upregulated in the older red leaves of 99-30-33 but downregulated in the younger 99-30-33 and green CP5 leaves. Yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays further confirmed that PpNAC1, which refers to 'Prunus persica NAC (NAM、A TAF1/2、CUC1/2)' bound to the promoter of PpMYB10.1, PpMYB10.1 stands for 'Prunus persica MYB (v-myb avian myeloblastosis viral) 10.1' and activated its expression along with those of PpGST and PpUFGT. These results provide insights into the mechanisms responsible for the development of red color in peach leaves in autumn.

Reviewing the Tradeoffs between Sunburn Mitigation and Red Color Development in Apple under a Changing Climate

Orchard systems have drastically changed over the last three decades to high-density plantings that prioritize light interception that is evenly distributed throughout the entire canopy. These conditions allow the production of fruit with a high red color that meets consumer demands for uniformly colored fruit without external disorders. However, these systems also expose a higher proportion of fruit to full-sunlight conditions. In many semi-arid apple production regions, summer temperatures often exceed thresholds for the development of fruit sunburn, which can lead to >10% fruit losses in some regions and some years. To combat this, growers and researchers use sunburn mitigation strategies such as shade netting and evaporative cooling, which bring a different set of potential fruit quality impacts. Often, there is a tradeoff between red color development and fruit sunburn, particularly for strategies that affect light intensity reaching the fruit surface. In this paper, we review agronomic and environmental factors leading to reductions in red color and increases in sunburn incidence, along with advancements in management practices that help mitigate these issues. Furthermore, we also identify gaps in knowledge on the influence climate change might have on the viability of some practices that either enhance red color or limit sunburn for apple orchards in semi-arid environments. There is a need for cost-effective management strategies that reduce losses to sunburn but do not inhibit red color development in bicolor apple cultivars.

The effect of environment and canopy manipulation on the development of red flesh colour in apple

The effect of environment and canopy manipulation on the development of red flesh colour in apple

Clarifying the mechanisms of the light-induced color formation of apple peel under dark conditions through metabolomics and transcriptomic analyses.

Many studies have demonstrated that anthocyanin synthesis in apple peel is induced by light, but the color of bagged apple peel continues to change under dark conditions after light induction has not been characterized. Here, transcriptional and metabolic changes associated with changes in apple peel coloration in the dark after different light induction treatments were studied. Apple pericarp can achieve a normal color under complete darkness followed by light induction. Metabolomics analysis indicated that the expression levels of cyanidin-3-O-galactoside and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside were high, which might be associated with the red color development of apple peel. Transcriptome analysis revealed high expression levels of MdUFGTs, MdMYBs, and MdNACs, which might play a key role in light-induced anthocyanin accumulation under dark conditions. 13 key genes related to dark coloring after light induction was screened. The results of this study provide new insights into the mechanism of anthocyanin synthesis under dark conditions.

Construction and Functionalization of Highly Strained N -Doped Zigzag Hydrocarbon Belts

Construction and Functionalization of Highly Strained <i>N</i> -Doped Zigzag Hydrocarbon Belts

Modeling the metachronous ripening pattern of mature green tomato as affected by cultivar and storage temperature

Nutritional benefits and organoleptic characteristics, including visual, textural, taste, and flavor, are the critical characteristics of economically important fruit. Ripening is a crucial phenomenon in the formation of these quality characteristics in fruits. Therefore, controlling the ripening phenomenon is extremely important not only to maximize the benefits of the fruit but also to avoid food losses caused by over-ripening. Tomato is an important model plant, especially for research on fruit ripening. The metachronous model of tomato ripening is presented in this report. This model predicts the postharvest ripening time of tomato fruit in terms of red color development based on the storage period. A modified sigmoid-type function model was used to develop the prediction model. The observations and analyses were conducted at different storage temperatures and in different tomato cultivars. The result exhibits that the integration of the proposed model and time lag was successfully showing the postharvest ripening time history of tomato fruit at the full range ripening process, from onset to fully ripe. This study provides critical information on postharvest quality control research and supply chain development in eliminating food loss and waste, which leads to the realization of sustainable development goals.

Growth Temperature Influences Postharvest Quality and Cold Tolerance of Green Harvested Dwarf Tomatoes During Storage

Effect of cultivation temperature during the phase of flowering and fruit development on tomato quality was investigated. Plants of two dwarf tomato cultivars “Ponchi Re” and “Tarzan,” were subjected to three different growth temperatures: 16, 22, or 28°C, starting at the flowering phase. Mature green fruit was harvested and subjected to shelf life at 20°C for 20 days or first stored at 4°C for 15 days, and then placed under shelf life conditions. Fruit quality was determined through red color development, soluble solid content (SSC), softening, weight loss, and cold tolerance. Higher cultivation temperature increased development and production of fruit. Deviation from the 22°C growth temperature led to increased soluble solid content in both cultivars, and smaller fruit diameter in “Tarzan.” Fruit grown at lower temperature had delayed color development during shelf life, and this was further delayed by prior cold storage. “Tarzan” showed more chilling injury (CI) symptoms than “Ponchi Re.” In our experiment, SSC can be manipulated by modulating cultivation temperature, but that it is not associated with CI tolerance. Delayed color formation at the lowest growth temperature observed in “Ponchi Re” tomatoes could be resulted in lower lycopene levels leads to lower ROS scavenging capacity. For “Tarzan” tomatoes, higher firmness at harvest, less softening, and lower weight loss during cold storage in fruit from the lowest cultivation temperature might positively correlated with increased membrane integrity, resulting in increased CI tolerance. This indicates that CI incidence depends on growth temperature and is cultivar dependent in dwarf tomato fruit.

A Study on the Effect of Eu3+ dopant on Physical and Photoluminescence Properties of Zinc Phospho-Sulfo-Tellurite Glasses

In this paper, the effect of substituting europium (Eu3+) ion on physical and photoluminescence properties of zinc phosphor-sulfo-tellurite glasses is reported for the first time. The glass matrices with novel compositional range of 10ZnO–40TeO2–10SO3–(40-x)P2O5– xEu2O3 were synthesized by convectional melt-quenching route and characterized via density and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The non-linearity properties of these glasses was ascertained and dependence of red emission performance under λex= 394 nm excitation wavelengths disclosed bright red emission at λem. = 612nm. The concentration quenching phenomenon was observed after a particular value of europium ions (beyond 2 mol %). Thus, 2 mol% of Eu3+ in the glass composition was identified as the optimized concentration for the design and development of solid state red laser and color display devices.