Tomato Fruit Research Articles

Interoperability Analysis of Tomato Fruit Detection Models for Images Taken at Different Facilities, Cultivation Methods, and Times of the Day

This study investigated the interoperability of a tomato fruit detection model trained using nighttime images from two greenhouses. The goal was to evaluate the performance of the models in different environmets, including different facilities, cultivation methods, and imaging times. An innovative imaging approach is introduced to eliminate the background, highlight the target plants, and test the adaptability of the model under diverse conditions. The results demonstrate that the tomato fruit detection accuracy improves when the domain of the training dataset contains the test environment. The quantitative results showed high interoperability, achieving an average accuracy (AP50) of 0.973 in the same greenhouse and a stable performance of 0.962 in another greenhouse. The imaging approach controlled the lighting conditions, effectively eliminating the domain-shift problem. However, training on a dataset with low diversity or inferring plant appearance images but not on the training dataset decreased the average accuracy to approximately 0.80, revealing the need for new approaches to overcome fruit occlusion. Importantly, these findings have practical implications for the application of automated tomato fruit set monitoring systems in greenhouses to enhance agricultural efficiency and productivity.

The Biostimulation Activity of Two Novel Benzothiadiazole Derivatives in the Tomato Cultivation

Biostimulants are gaining more and more attention in modern agriculture. As follows from the definition, their role is aimed at influencing the plant’s metabolism, which results in increasing the quantitative and qualitative parameters describing the yield. Significant attention should be paid to biostimulants increasing the content of health-promoting substances contained in plants. Treatments with biostimulants should be properly incorporated into existing plant protection schemes, which, of course, requires detailed research in this area. However, reliable research on active substances contained in biostimulants should be made first, and the activity of a given biostimulant must be proven. This work presents the results of a field experiment in tomato cultivation for two new active substances belonging to the group of benzothiadiazoles. The results indicate a positive effect on plant yield and, above all, on the lycopene content in tomato fruits. Increasing the lycopene content in fruit is of key significance, as it opens up opportunities for these active substances to be incorporated into new plant protection programs.

Unraveling the impact of water deficit stress on nutritional quality and defense response of tomato genotypes.

Water deficit stress triggers various physiological and biochemical changes in plants, substantially affecting both overall plant defense response and thus nutritional quality of tomatoes. The aim of this study was to assess the antioxidant defense response and nutritional quality of different tomato genotypes under water deficit stress. In this study, six tomato genotypes were used and subjected to water deficit stress by withholding water for eight days under glass house conditions. Various physiological parameters from leaves and biochemical parameters from tomato fruits were measured to check the effect of antioxidant defense response and nutritional value. Multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index (MGIDI) was used for the selection of genotypes with improved defense response and nutritional value under water deficit stress condition. Results indicated that all physiological parameters declined under stress conditions compared to the control. Notably, NBH-362 demonstrated resilience to water deficit stress, improving both defense response and nutritional quality which is evident by an increase in proline (16.91%), reducing sugars (20.15%), total flavonoids (10.43%), superoxide dismutase (24.65%), peroxidase (14.7%), and total antioxidant capacity (29.9%), along with a decrease in total oxidant status (4.38%) under stress condition. Overall, the findings suggest that exposure to water deficit stress has the potential to enhance the nutritional quality of tomatoes. However, the degree of this enhancement is contingent upon the distinct genetic characteristics of various tomato genotypes. Furthermore, the promising genotype (NBH-362) identified in this study holds potential for future utilization in breeding programs.

Testing a Simulation Model for the Response of Tomato Fruit Quality Formation to Temperature and Light in Solar Greenhouses.

Temperature and light are the key factors affecting the formation of tomato fruit quality in greenhouse cultivation. However, there are few simulation models that examine the relationship between tomato fruit quality formation and temperature and light. In this study, a model was established that investigated the relationships between soluble sugar (SSC), organic acid content (OAC), and SSC/OAC and the cumulative product of thermal effectiveness and photosynthetically active radiation (TEP) during the fruit-ripening period in a solar greenhouse. The root mean square error (RMSE) values were calculated to compare the consistency between the simulated and measured values, and the RMSE values for SSC, OAC, and SSC/OAC were 0.09%, 0.14%, and 0.358, respectively. The combined weights of quality indicators were obtained using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and entropy weighting method, ranking as SSC > OAC > SSC/OAC > CI > lycopene > Vc > fruit firmness. The comprehensive fruit quality evaluation value was obtained using the TOPSIS method (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution) and a simulation model between comprehensive tomato fruit quality and TEP was explored. This study could accurately simulate and quantify the accumulation of tomato fruit quality during fruit ripening in response to environmental conditions in a solar greenhouse.

Effect of exogenous silicon treatments on cell wall metabolism and textural properties of tomato fruits

This study investigated the effects of exogenous silicon (Si) treatment on cell wall metabolism in tomato fruits. The experiment was conducted with ‘Jinfan502’ tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) as the test material, which was cultivated in substrates with foliar sprays of the following different concentrations of Si treatments: 0 mmol·L−1 (CK), 0.6 mmol·L−1 (T1), 1.2 mmol·L−1 (T2), and 1.8 mmol·L−1 (T3). To study the effects of the treatment on the mature green, breaker, and red ripening stages of tomato fruit cell wall components, cell wall metabolism-related enzyme activities, textural properties, and the impact of ethylene production during the red ripening stage were assessed. The results showed that the cell wall components and textural properties of the T2 treatment were significantly higher than those of the CK treatment in the green mature, breaker, and red ripening stages. Among them, at the red ripening stage of fruiting, the content of cell wall components in the T2 treatment was significantly improved, and the contents of protopectin, cellulose, hemicellulose, and expansin were increased by 6.29 %, 10.04 %, 2.52 %, and 3.95 %, respectively, relative to the CK treatment; the firmness of the fruit was also significantly increased, by 13.23 %, compared with the CK treatment. Cell-wall-metabolism-related enzyme activity was significantly lower in the T2 treatment than in the CK treatment at the green mature, breaker, and red ripening stages. When Si (T2) was applied during the red ripening stage, the activities of cell wall metabolism-related enzymes were significantly inhibited; compared to the CK treatment, the activities of pectinase (PE), polygalacturonase (PG), pectin methylesterase (PME), β-galactosidase (β-Gal), lipoxygenase (LOX), pectin lyase (PL), and cellulase (CL) were reduced by 16.34 %, 19.37 %, 28.07 %, 10.73 %, 19.86 %, 8.47 %, and 6.53 %, respectively. Furthermore, the ethylene content of the red ripened fruits under the T2 treatment was significantly reduced by 21.59 % compared to the CK treatment. In addition, multiple sets of significant or extremely significant negative correlations existed among ethylene, cell wall components, and textural properties at red ripening stage. Finally, principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis of cell-wall metabolism-related enzyme activities in the three stages of treatment with different Si concentrations showed that the models significantly separated the T2 treatment from the CK, T1, and T3 treatments. In conclusion, exogenous Si T2 treatment (1.2 mmol·L−1) had the greatest effect on delaying cell wall metabolism, which provides the theoretical and technical basis for the enhancement of storage and transport resistance in tomatoes.

A comprehensive endogenous phytohormone metabolite landscape identifies new metabolites associated with tomato fruit

A comprehensive endogenous phytohormone metabolite landscape identifies new metabolites associated with tomato fruit

Enhancement in Tomato Yield and Quality Using Biochar Amendments in Greenhouse under Salinity and Drought Stress.

Enhancing saline water productivity in arid regions is essential for sustainable agriculture. Adding biochar can improve the quantity and quality of tomato yield under higher levels of salinity and lower levels of irrigation. The experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of biochar on enhancing tomato fruit quality and yield under salinity and drought stress. The experiment combines two treatments for irrigation water quality (0.9 and 2.3 dS m-1), four irrigation levels (40, 60, 80, and 100%) of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), and the addition of 5% of biochar to treated soil (BC5%) and untreated soil (BC0%). The results showed that the decrease in the water quality and irrigation levels negatively impacted the yield and properties of tomato fruit, while 5% of biochar application positively improved the yield. Adding biochar decreased the tomato yield by 29.33% and 42.51% under lower-saline-irrigation water than the control, negatively affecting the fruit's physical parameters and mineral content. In contrast, adding biochar and irrigating with saline water at 60% of ETc improved the firmness and quality characteristics of the fruit by 56.60%, 67.19, 99.75, and 73.57% for vitamin C (VC), total titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), and total sugars (TS), respectively, compared to the control, and also reduced the sodium content of the fruits under all irrigation levels compared to untreated plants by biochar. Generally, biochar with saline water under deficit irrigation with 80 and 60% of ETc could be an excellent strategy to enhance the qualitative characteristics of tomato fruits and save approximately 20-40% of the applied water.

Integrative Analysis of Metabolome and Transcriptome of Carotenoid Biosynthesis Reveals the Mechanism of Fruit Color Change in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum).

Tomato fruit ripening is accompanied by carotenoid accumulation and color changes. To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms underlying carotenoid synthesis during fruit ripening, a combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis was conducted on red-fruited tomato (WP190) and orange-fruited tomato (ZH108). A total of twenty-nine (29) different carotenoid compounds were identified in tomato fruits at six different stages. The abundance of the majority of the carotenoids was enhanced significantly with fruit ripening, with higher levels of lycopene; (E/Z)-lycopene; and α-, β- and γ-carotenoids detected in the fruits of WP190 at 50 and 60 days post anthesis (DPA). Transcriptome analysis revealed that the fruits of two varieties exhibited the highest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at 50 DPA, and a module of co-expressed genes related to the fruit carotenoid content was established by WGCNA. qRT-PCR analysis validated the transcriptome result with a significantly elevated transcript level of lycopene biosynthesis genes (including SlPSY2, SlZCIS, SlPDS, SlZDS and SlCRTSO2) observed in WP190 at 50 DPA in comparison to ZH108. In addition, during the ripening process, the expression of ethylene biosynthesis (SlACSs and SlACOs) and signaling (SlEIN3 and SlERF1) genes was also increased, and these mechanisms may regulate carotenoid accumulation and fruit ripening in tomato. Differential expression of several key genes in the fruit of two tomato varieties at different stages regulates the accumulation of carotenoids and leads to differences in color between the two varieties of tomato. The results of this study provide a comprehensive understanding of carotenoid accumulation and ethylene biosynthesis and signal transduction pathway regulatory mechanisms during tomato fruit development.

Preparation of Cellulose Fiber Loaded with CuO Nanoparticles for Enhanced Shelf Life and Quality of Tomato Fruit

The present study reports on the preparation of a cellulose fiber (CF) composite from D. lutescens, combined with copper oxide nanoparticles (DL@CF/CuO), to prolong the shelf life of tomatoes after harvest. The isolated cellulose fiber material was comprehensively characterized using XRD, FTIR, and FE-SEM analyses. The DLCF and DL@CF/CuO nanoparticles exhibited crystalline cellulose, as indicated by the XRD investigation. Both DLCF and DL@CF/CuO showed O-H and C-H FTIR spectra with identifiable vibrational peaks. The FE-SEM images depicted the dispersion of DL@CF/CuO-based fibers in a cellulose fiber matrix containing CuO nanoparticles. A 0.3% (wt/wt), a solution of DL@CF/CuO was coated onto the surface of early ripening tomato fruits. After a 25-day storage period at 25–29 °C and 85% RH, the results showed a significant extension in the shelf life of the tomato fruits, in line with changes in physiological properties and fruit quality. The extension of shelf life in tomato fruit epidermis treated with DL@CF/CuO was confirmed through FE-SEM analysis. L929 fibroblast cells were treated with the developed DL@CF/CuO nanocomposite, and no signs of toxicity were detected up to 75 µg/mL. Additionally, the DL@CF/CuO nanocomposite exhibited significant antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus. In conclusion, this study provides novel insights for sustainable food security and waste control in the agricultural and food industries.

Characterization and application of the nanocompiste packaging films containing clay and TiO2 on preservation of tomato fruit under cold storage

BackgroundTomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), a valuable economic crop worldwide, often goes to waste due to improper packaging and handling. In the present study, three types of low-density polyethylene nanocomposite films containing 3% clay (Closite 20A), 3% TiO2 nanoparticles, and their combination were synthesized using melt blending method, and evaluated on the quality parameters of tomato fruit during 42 days of storage at 4 °C.ResultsTransmission electron microscopy confirmed the degree of dispersion and exfoliation of the nanoparticles. The TiO2/clay-nanocomposite films exhibited notable enhancements in Young's modulus and tensile strength compared to conventional films. The addition of clay and TiO2 nanoparticles resulted in reduced permeability to CO2, O2, and water vapor. Fruits packed with clay/TiO2 nanocomposite films showed decreased ethylene production, mitigated weight loss, and maintained pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, and firmness. Furthermore, clay/TiO2 nanocomposite films enhanced membrane stability, decreased membrane lipid peroxidation, and enhanced catalase and ascorbate peroxidase enzyme activity in fruits.ConclusionsThe relatively good exfoliation of clay nanoparticles and the proper dispersion of TiO2 nanoparticles, which were confirmed by TEM, led to an increase in mechanical and physical properties in the Clay/TiO2 nanocomposite. This film displayed more potential in maintaining the quality properties of tomato fruit during cold storage. Therefore, this film can be considered a practical solution for minimizing pathogen risks and contamination, and enhancing the overall quality of tomato fruit.

Green ripe fruit in tomato: unraveling the genetic tapestry from cultivated to wild varieties

Green ripe fruit in tomato: unraveling the genetic tapestry from cultivated to wild varieties

Comparative Metabolomic Fingerprinting Analysis of Tomato Fruits from Physalis Species in Mexico’s Balsas Basin

This study investigated the chemical and sensory distinctions in tomato fruits from three Physalis species (P. ixocarpa, P. angulata, and P. philadelphica) found in Michoacán, Mexico, using metabolomic fingerprinting through GC-MS analysis. The objective was to identify organoleptic differences that could influence consumer preferences, highlighting the significance of these species’ unique traits. These species represented a valuable genetic reservoir for potential hybridization or selection aimed at enhancing commercial varieties by focusing on organoleptic properties rather than traditional selection criteria like fruit size or yield. This research emphasizes the importance of preserving Mexican biodiversity and providing insights into domestication processes that prioritize flavor and sensory qualities. By analyzing metabolite profiles and their correlation with taste preferences, this study contributes to understanding how these differences could be leveraged in breeding programs to develop new tomato varieties with preferred flavors. It was suggested that variations in taste among the species are mainly due to differences in metabolite expression. This knowledge underscores the importance of organoleptic properties in the selection and domestication of edible fruits, offering a pathway toward the conservation and enhancement of tomato varieties through the exploitation of genetic diversity for organoleptic improvement.

LC/TQ mass spectrometry analysis for estimation of residual behavior and dissipation kinetics of isocycloseram and its metabolite's in/on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Isocycloseram is a new isoxazoline group pesticide with novel mode of action and very effective against various insect and mite species. The study was undertaken to determine the residual behavior of isocycloseram in/on tomato fruit and soil using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The limit of quantification and limit of detection were workout to be 0.01 and 0.003 μg/g, respectively for isocycloseram and the metabolites. The recovery of isocycloseram and metabolites were 94–105 % in tomato matrix and in soil matrix recovery was 93–101 % with < 20 % relative standard deviation. After applications of 60 and 75 g a.i./ha, the total initial residues of isocycloseram (including metabolites) on tomato fruits were 0.411 and 0.670 µg/g that dissipated to half in 3.13 and 3.46 days at respective doses. The hazard quotient computed for the insecticide was below one thus indicating its safety for humans.

Low oxygen environment effect on the tomato cell wall composition during the fruit ripening process

BackgroundOxygen concentration is a key characteristic of the fruit storage environment determining shelf life and fruit quality. The aim of the work was to identify cell wall components that are related to the response to low oxygen conditions in fruit and to determine the effects of such conditions on the ripening process. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruits at different stages of the ripening process were stored in an anoxic and hypoxic environment, at 0% and 5% oxygen concentrations, respectively. We used comprehensive and comparative methods: from microscopic immunolabelling and estimation of enzymatic activities to detailed molecular approaches. Changes in the composition of extensin, arabinogalactan proteins, rhamnogalacturonan-I, low methyl-esterified homogalacturonan, and high methyl-esterified homogalacturonan were analysed.ResultsIn-depth molecular analyses showed that low oxygen stress affected the cell wall composition, i.e. changes in protein content, a significantly modified in situ distribution of low methyl-esterified homogalacturonan, appearance of callose deposits, disturbed native activities of β-1,3-glucanase, endo-β-1,4-glucanase, and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and disruptions in molecular parameters of single cell wall components. Taken together, the data obtained indicate that less significant changes were observed in fruit in the breaker stage than in the case of the red ripe stage. The first symptoms of changes were noted after 24 h, but only after 72 h, more crucial deviations were visible. The 5% oxygen concentration slows down the ripening process and 0% oxygen accelerates the changes taking place during ripening.ConclusionsThe observed molecular reset occurring in tomato cell walls in hypoxic and anoxic conditions seems to be a result of regulatory and protective mechanisms modulating ripening processes.

Effects of Neem, Moringa, and Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Coating on Postharvest Shelf Life and Quality Retention of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

This study aimed to investigate the effects of synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), Azadirachta indica (neem), and Moringa oleifera (moringa) leaf extracts on the shelf life and quality retention of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruits during storage. Thirty-five (35) red, matured tomato fruits were collected, rinsed and grouped for each treatment with AgNPs, neem and moringa coating: Control (n=5), moringa aqueous leaf extract (MALE) (n=5), neem aqueous leaf extract (NALE) (n=5), 1:9 and 6:4 moringa aqueous leaf extract synthesized silver nanoparticles (MALE-AgNPs) (n=5), 1:9 and 6:4 neem aqueous leaf extract synthesized silver nanoparticles (NALE-AgNPs) (n=5), respectively. The firmness, shelf life, and postharvest decay percentage of the tomato fruits were determined. Additionally, fungi associated with the postharvest deterioration of the fruits were isolated and identified using standard procedures. From the results of this study, tomato fruits coated with either neem or moringa crude extract showed the longest shelf life, as compared to the coating with AgNPs. Additionally, two fungi, namely Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus, were isolated from the decayed tomato fruits. In conclusion, the neem and moringa leaf extracts are effective in the extension of the shelf life and retention of the quality of tomato fruits.

Antimicrobial Effects of Nitric Oxide against Plant Pathogens.

Pathogen infection represents the greatest challenge to agricultural crop production, resulting in significant economic loss. Conventional pesticides are used to control such infection but can result in antimicrobial resistance and detrimental effects on the plant, environment, and human health. Due to nitric oxide's (NO) endogenous roles in plant immune responses, treatment with exogenous NO represents an attractive nonpesticide approach for eradicating plant pathogens. In this work, the antimicrobial activity of small-molecule NO donors of varying NO-release kinetics was evaluated against Pseudomonas syringae and Botrytis cinerea, two prevalent plant pathogens. Intermediate NO-release kinetics proved to be most effective at eradicating these pathogens in vitro. A selected NO donor (methyl tris diazeniumdiolate; MD3) was capable of treating both bacterial infection of plant leaves and fungal infection of tomato fruit without exerting toxicity to earthworms. Taken together, these results demonstrate the potential for utilizing NO as a broad-spectrum, environmentally safe pesticide and may guide development of other NO donors for such application.

Dynamic changes of endogenous H2S generation during responding to developmental and environmental signals in Solanum lycopersicum L.

Increasing studies have confirmed the functions of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) as a gas signal molecule (gasotransmitter) in a variety of physiological activities in plants. However, the dynamic changes of endogenous H2S generation, especially the response speed and degree of H2S-generation-associated members, to both developmental and environmental cues in Solanum lycopersicum L. are still poorly understood. Here, we identified and charactered the H2S-generation-associated enzymes in tomato, including O-acetylserine (mercaptan) lyases (OAS-TL), L/D-Cysteine desulfhydrases (L/D-CDes) and nitrogen fixation S (NIFS)-like enzymes, possessing LCD-like activity. Analysis of cis-regulatory elements (CREs) showed that the promoter regions of these H2S-generation-associated genes contained lots of light-, hormone- and stresses-responsive CREs, and transcriptional factors (TFs) binding sites, suggesting that the regulatory mechanism of endogenous H2S generation might involve TFs mediated transcriptional regulation or/and interacting with phytohormones signals. Levels of endogenous H2S exhibited diversity in different organs and developmental stages in tomato, and the top and second highest level of H2S in flowers and ripened fruits hinted the significance of H2S signal in tomato reproduction and fruit development. Furthermore, the expression of SlOAS4, SlLCD, SlDCD2, SlNFS1, and SlNFS2 enhanced continuously during fruit ripening, and the SlOAS4 expression exhibited the most significant up-regulation. The SlDCD enzymatic activity responded more quickly to fruit development cues, while the SlLCD remained at a higher level almost throughout the whole fruit ripening. During environmental stimulus, it was found that the transcriptions of SlDCD2 and SlOAS2 responded faster and stronger to heat stress, while SlOAS4 and SlLCD were activated more quickly and significantly by drought stress. Both SlLCD and SlDCD enzymatic activities could be enhanced by drought and heat stress to varying degrees, and it seemed that the SlLCD was activated to a greater extent and remained at the higher activity for a longer period. With the extension of exogenous phytohormones (ABA, SA, GA, JA, ACC, NAA) treatment, the SlLCD activity and the endogenous H2S content increased in a specific time-dependent manner, and ABA, SA and NAA had more rapid effects on SlLCD activity. By widely explored the dynamic responses of endogenous H2S generation, our study would provide some references for understanding the regulatory mechanism upstream of H2S signaling in tomato growth developments and environmental adaptations.

Integration of transcriptome and metabolome reveals regulatory mechanisms of volatile flavor formation during tomato fruit ripening

Tomato is an important economic crop all over the world. Volatile flavors in tomato fruit are key factors influencing consumer liking and commercial quality. However, the regulatory mechanism controlling the volatile flavors of tomatoes is still not clear. Here, we integrated the metabolome and transcriptome of the volatile flavors in tomato fruit to explore the regulatory mechanism of volatile flavor formation, using wild and cultivated tomatoes with significant differences in flavors. A total of 35 volatile flavor compounds were identified, based on the solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). The content of the volatiles, affecting fruit flavor, significantly increased in the transition from breaker to red ripe fruit stage. Moreover, the total content of the volatiles in wild tomatoes was much higher than that in the cultivated tomatoes. The content variations of all volatile flavors were clustered into 10 groups by hierarchical cluster and Pearson correlation analysis (PCC). The fruit transcriptome was also patterned into 10 groups, with significant variations both from the mature green to breaker fruit stage and from the breaker to red ripe fruit stage. Combining the metabolome and the transcriptome of the same developmental stage of fruits by co-expression analysis, we found that the expression level of 1 182 genes was highly correlated with the content of volatile flavor compounds, thereby constructing two regulatory pathways of important volatile flavors. One pathway is tetrahydrothiazolidine N-hydroxylase (SlTNH1)-dependent, which is regulated by two transcription factors (TFs) from the bHLH and AP2/ERF families, controlling the synthesis of 2-isobutylthiazole in amino acid metabolism. The other is lipoxygenase (SlLOX)-dependent, which is regulated by one TF from the HD-Zip family, controlling the synthesis of hexanal and (Z)-2-heptenal in fatty acid metabolism. Dual-luciferase assay confirmed the binding of bHLH and AP2/ERF to their structural genes. The findings of this study provide new insights into volatile flavor formation in tomato fruit, which can be useful for tomato flavor improvement.

Overexpression of a transcription factor MdWRKY126 altered soluble sugar accumulation in apple and tomato fruit

The compositions and contents of soluble sugars highly determine the flavor and quality of flshy fruits. In the present study, we found that the overexpression of transcription factor MdWRKY126 localized on the nucleus enhanced sucrose concentration while decreased fructose and glucose concentration in transgenic apple calli and ripening tomato fruits. To comprehensively understand the effects of the MdWRKY126 on the content of various soluble sugars in apple and tomato fruits, enzyme activities and related essential genes associated with the sugar metabolism and transportation pathway in MdWRKY126-overrexpressed apple and tomato lines were analyzed. The results indicated that the overexpression of MdWRKY126 upregulated sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activity and the gene expression levels of SPS and sucrose transporter SUT, which was conducive to a large accumulation of sucrose in fruit cells. Meanwhile, MdWRKY126 overexpression downregulated the activity of enzymes involved in sucrose decomposition including cell wall invertase (CWINV), sucrose synthase (SUSY) and the corresponding gene expressions, as well as inhibited the expression levels of hexose transporter (HTs) and tonoplast sugar transporter (TSTs) that transport hexose into vacuoles, resulting in a reduced hexose level in apple calli and tomato fruit. These findings enrich our understanding of the metabolism and regulation of soluble sugars in apple fruits.

Performance evaluation of Meliadubia/Polypropylene composite crates for tomatoes packaging under simulated vibration

This research work proposes the substitution of plastic crates used for packaging fruits/vegetables with composite crates, aiming to minimize environmental issues. Vibration is a crucial factor contributing to package and product damage. In this study, tomato fruits were chosen to analyze the impact of vibration on product quality. The research primarily focuses on evaluating the performance of two newly developed wood plastic composite packaging crates namely 20 %Meliadubia/80 %Polypropylene (20 %MPPC) and 30 %Meliadubia/70 %Polypropylene (30 %MPPC) under simulated vibration in the laboratory as per ISO 13355 standard. The mechanical damage on packed tomatoes was quantified and the results were compared with those of Polypropylene crates (PPC) and commercial crates such as Reusable Plastic Crates (RPC) and Wooden Crates (WC). The results of this study revealed there were no damages on 20 %MPPC and 30 %MPPC crates, and the best protective performances for tomatoes were exhibited in 20 %MPPC, 30 %MPPC, and PPC. These packaging crates were found to reduce vibration transmissibility in the top crate by 50 % to 70 %, consequently minimizing further mechanical damage to tomatoes. Therefore, the composite crates were identified as a more suitable replacement for commercial packaging crates used for packaging fruits/vegetables, addressing environmental concerns related to packaging material and reducing the wastage of fruits/vegetables in transit.