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Calcium (Ca) and carbohydrate (CHO) supply in sweet cherry have been associated with fruit quality at harvest and during storage. There is little published information integrating CHO and Ca availability and distribution in sweet cherry and their effects on fruit quality. Accordingly, in the 2019–20 season, vascular restrictions were imposed on the phloem (girdling, G, stopping phloem flow) and xylem (transverse incision, S, cutting 50% of xylem cross–section area) of individual vertical branches of the sweet cherry combination ‘Lapins’/Colt trained as Kym Green Bush system to modify mineral and CHO composition in fruit and associate such changes with quality at harvest and storage. The girdling to the phloem was used to induce changes in CHO distribution. The transverse incision to the xylem was a tool to modify Ca distribution. Five treatments (TR) were implemented: TR1–CTL = Control (without vascular restriction), TR2–G, at its base, TR3–G + G: at its base, and G further up at the change of year between the second and the third years of growth TR4––S and TR5–S + G. The vegetative (i.e., shoot and leaf growth), reproductive (i.e., fruit set and yield) development and stomatal conductance were monitored. Each branch was divided into the upper (1–and 2–year–old wood) and the lower (3–and 4–year–old wood) segments of the restriction applied. The quality and mineral composition (Ca, Mg, K, and N) of fruit borne on each segment were measured at harvest. The upper segment of TR3–G + G branches were harvested 10 d before the lower segment. The fruit from the upper segment of TR3–G + G was the largest, the sweetest, and had the higher titratable acidity concentration. However, fruits of this segment were the softest, had the lowest Ca concentrations, and had the highest ratios of N:Ca and K:Ca, compared with the other TRs. TR3–G + G branches developed the highest number of lateral current season shoots including shoots below the second girdling in the lower segment of the branch. This vegetative flow of growth would explain the mineral unbalance produced in the fruit from the upper segment of the branch. TR2–G did not register changes in fruit quality and mineral concentration compared with TR1–CTL. Surprisingly, the fruit from the branches with xylem restriction did not show changes in Ca concentration, suggesting that the xylem stream was enough to supply the fruit in branches without lateral shoot development. Fruit firmness was positively related to fruit Ca concentration and negatively related to the ratios of K:Ca and N:Ca.

The demand for fruits with high anthocyanin content, such as blueberries, has increased in recent years due to their health benefits. However, few studies are known on the postharvest behavior of blueberry fruits subjected to the application of plant extracts and acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM). The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of the application of ASM and vegetable extracts (mint and coriander) on the organo-leptic characteristics of blueberry fruits stored at 16°C during postharvest through a completely randomized design with five treatments. The contents of total anthocyanins in fruits (TA) did not differ between treatments, with values that ranged between 74.1 mg and 83.9 mg 100 g-1 of fresh weight. The TA tended to increase during storage and then to decrease during senescence. The firmness of blueberry fruits increased during storage, but hardness did not increase, since the fruits are softer and show wrinkling over time, indicating that the epidermis of the fruits has great elasticity. The fruits with the application of vegetable extracts showed the highest total soluble solids and total titratable acidity. The values of red/green and yellow/blue ratio increased, so the blueberry fruits slightly lost their blue hue during postharvest. Fruits with ASM application reached a postharvest life of 15 d after harvest (dah), while the other treatments only maintained quality for 13 dah. RESUMEN La demanda de frutos con alto contenido de antocianinas como el arándano ha aumentado en los últimos aflos debido a los beneficios para la salud. Sin embargo, se conocen pocos estudios sobre el comportamiento poscosecha de los frutos de arándano sometidos a la aplicación de extractos vegetales y acibenzolar-S-metil (ASM). El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar el efecto de la aplicación de ASM y extractos de menta y cilantro en las características organolépticas de frutos de arándano almacena-dos a temperatura ambiente durante la poscosecha, mediante un diseflo completamente al azar con cinco tratamientos. Las antocianinas totales (AnT) no presentaron diferencias entre tratamientos con valores que oscilaron entre 74.1 y 83.9 mg 100 g-1 de masa fresca. Las AnT presentaron una tendencia a aumentar durante el almacenamiento para después descender durante la senescencia. La firmeza de los frutos de arándano aumenta durante el almacenamiento, no así su dureza, ya que los frutos son más blandos y presentan arrugamiento a través del tiempo, lo que indica que la epidermis de los frutos tiene gran elasticidad. Los frutos con aplicación de extractos vegetales presentaron los valores más altos de sólidos solubles totales y acidez total titulable. Los valores de la relación rojo/verde y amarillo/azul aumentan, por lo que los frutos de arándano pierden ligeramente la tonalidad azul durante la poscosecha. Los frutos con aplicación de ASM alcanzaron una vida posco-secha de 15 d después de cosecha (ddc), mientras que los demás tratamientos sólo mantuvieron la calidad durante 13 ddc.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of shade screens on the physiological activity, growth parameters and fruit characteristics of the paprika (Capsicum annuum L.) plant. Plants were grown in a protected greenhouse and treated under two different shade screens, S1 (single screen) and S2 (double screens; 10% low light intensity compared to S1), during summer at a particular time of the day. The results revealed that the plant height was significantly enlarged by the S2 treatment. However, the number of leaves, leaf fresh weight and leaf dry weight were significantly decreased under S2-treated plants compared to those grown in the S1 treatment. The stem diameter and shoot fresh weight were not significantly different between the treatments. The sap flow and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) were higher in S1-treated plants than in those grown in the S2 treatment. The chlorophyll fluorescence fluctuated in both treatments. The fruit fresh weight, number of fruits, fruit pericarp thickness, fruit firmness, fruit volume, sugar content and acidity were significantly higher in S1-treated plants than in S2. Hunter values a and b were significantly higher in S2-treated plants. Moreover, the fruit length and width were not significantly different between the two treatments. The sugar content and acidity of paprika showed a positive correlation. These results suggest that, compared to a double screen for shade in the greenhouse, a single screen is suitable for the growth of paprika plants and enhanced their fruit production.

Fruit maturation and softening are critical traits that control fruit shelf-life. In the climacteric tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit, ethylene plays a key role in fruit ripening and softening. We characterized two related proteins with contrasting impact on ethylene production, ACC oxidase 1 (SlACO1) and SlE8. We found SlACO1 and SlE8 to be highly expressed during fruit ripening. To identify loss-of-function alleles, we analysed the tomato genetic diversity but we did not find any natural mutations impairing the function of these proteins. We also found the two loci evolving under purifying selection. To engineer hypomorphic alleles, we used TILLING (target-induced local lesions in genomes) to screen a tomato ethylmethane sulfonate-mutagenized population. We found 13 mutants that we phenotyped for ethylene production, shelf-life, firmness, conductivity, and soluble solid content in tomato fruits. The data demonstrated that slaco1-1 and slaco1-2 alleles could be used to improve fruit shelf-life, and that sle8-1 and sle8-2 alleles could be used to accelerate ripening. This study highlights further the importance of SlACO1 and SlE8 in ethylene production in tomato fruit and how they might be used for post-harvest fruit preservation or speeding up fruit maturation.

Trees irrigation is one of the major activities because the fruit production is proportional to water use. The current decrease of water resources leads to the urgent need to adopt a strategy which could be applied to efficiently utilize water without affecting the growth, yield and fruit quality. Therefore, deficit irrigation is an alternative. The crop studied was apricot, 'Orizont' cultivar, 13 years old, grafted on the 'Constanta 14' rootstock. The planting distance was 4 m between the rows and 5 m between trees on the row. The split-plot experiment described here is monofactorial with irrigation strategy having three graduations. The irrigation regime consists of a fully irrigated treatment (b1, non-stressed) according to the irrigation needs (100% of ETc = ETo x Kc), a deficit irrigation treatment (b2) irrigated with half the amount of water in b1 (50% of ETc), and a control, non-irrigated treatment (b3). These plots comprised three adjacent fruit tree rows, with the central row containing five trees for measurements and observations. This research aims to study the effects of deficit irrigation on some quality indicators of apricot fruits after harvest and storage. Fruits in the b3 treatment were much firmer, followed by the fruits from the b2 treatment. The study suggests that moderate deficit irrigation can be profitable for enhancing key fruit quality characteristics.

Bu çalışma; soğukta muhafaza süresince ‘Sungold’ (Actinidia chinensis) kivi çeşidinin ağırlık kaybı, meyve eti sertliği, suda çözünür kuru madde miktarı (SÇKM), titre edilebilir asitlik içeriği, meyve et rengi değişimi, toplam fenolik maddeler, etilen üretim miktarı ile fizyolojik ve patolojik bozukluklar gibi kalite özellikleri üzerine modifiye atmosfer paketleme (MAP) uygulamasının etkisini belirlemek için yürütülmüştür. Bu amaçla meyveler; 1.0 °C ± 0.5 °C sıcaklık ve %90-95 oransal nem koşullarında 150 gün süreyle muhafaza edilmişlerdir. Soğukta muhafazanın tüm ölçüm dönemlerinde MAP içerisinde muhafaza edilen meyvelerin ağırlık kaybının, kontrol meyvelerine kıyasla önemli derecede daha düşük olduğu belirlenmiştir. Aynı zamanda meyve eti sertliğinin korunması, suda çözünür kuru madde miktarındaki artışın yavaşlaması, titre edilebilir asitlik miktarındaki düşüşün sınırlanması, etilen üretiminin baskılanması ve iç çökmesi oranının düşüklüğü kapsamında MAP uygulaması özellikle 60 gün depolamadan itibaren, kontrol meyvelerine kıyasla daha olumlu sonuçlar vermiştir. Sonuç olarak ‘Sungold’ kivi çeşidinde herhangi bir uygulama yapılmadan 60 gün süreyle muhafaza edilebilmenin mümkün olduğu, bununla birlikte MAP uygulamasıyla bu çeşidin, 150 gün süreyle kalitenin korunarak muhafaza edilebildiği saptanmıştır.

A rapid and non-destructive assessment of quality parameters in tomatoes was evaluated using a portable differential absorbance (DA) meter in order to accurately establish optimum harvest maturity. A commercial tomato variety cv. ‘BARI Tomato-8’ grown in the summer season of Bangladesh was used in this study. Different quality parameters including fruit skin colour, tissue firmness, chlorophyll contents, ascorbic acid, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity and pH of tomatoes were determined using standard reference methods. Correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the difference in absorbance index (IDA) and fruit quality parameters. The correlation coefficients showed good ability in estimating the hue angle, chlorophyll contents, titratable acidity and firmness of tomatoes showing ‘r’ values of 0.93, 0.91, 0.91 and 0.92-0.94, respectively. However, the changes of ascorbic acid contents and TSS of tomatoes did not follow the linear model during fruit maturation. Thus, the DA meter could most accurately predict the major quality attributes and may be used as an efficient technique for in-plant non-destructive assessment of tomato fruit qualities. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 9(2): 42-50, December 2019

Chemical dormancy breakers are often used to manipulate floral bud break in sweet cherry production, and their use is increasing due to unpredictable climate effects. The role of plant hormones in regulating the critical transition of floral buds from dormant to opening in deciduous trees is now emerging. By monitoring changes in endogenous hormone levels within floral buds that are undergoing the transition from dormant to the growing state in response to various cues (environmental and/or chemical inducers), we can begin to distinguish the plant hormones that are the drivers of this process. This study sought to identify key hormonal regulators of floral bud break using sweet cherry as a model and modifying timing of bud break through the application of two chemical dormancy breakers, hydrogen cyanamide (HC, Dormex®) and emulsified vegetable oil compound (EVOC, Waiken®), and to determine the effect of these chemicals on fruit growth and quality. Treatments were applied at label rates 35–40 days before estimated bud break. We found that HC-treated tree buds broke earlier, and this was associated with a significant early elevation of the cytokinins dihydrozeatin and dihydrozeatin riboside compared to the control and EVOC-treated tree buds. In contrast, changes in auxin and abscisic acid content did not appear to explain the hastened bud burst induced by hydrogen cyanamide. While HC-treated trees resulted in larger fruit, there was a higher incidence of cracked fruit and the pack-out of A-grade fruit was reduced. The increase in fruit size was attributed to the earlier flowering and hence longer growing period. Harvest assessment of fruit quality showed no treatment effect on most quality parameters, including fruit dry matter content, total soluble solids or malic acid content, but a reduction in fruit compression firmness and stem pull force in EVOC-treated trees was observed. However, all fruit still met the Australian industry fruit quality export market standards. This study offers important insights into bud hormonal activities underpinning the action of these chemical regulators; understanding bud responses is critically important to ensuring consistent and sustainable fruit tree production systems into the future. It also demonstrates that the dormancy-breaking agents HC and EVOC have no detrimental impact on fruit quality at harvest or following storage, however growers need to be aware of the potential for increased fruit cracking when earlier bud break results in a longer growing season which has the potential to increase fruit size. Further studies are required to determine the role of gibberellin in hastening bud break by dormancy breakers.

Background Apricots originated from China, Central Asia and the Near East and arrived in Anatolia, and particularly in their second homeland of Malatya province in Turkey. Apricots are outstanding summer fruits, with their beautiful attractive color, delicious sweet taste, aroma and high vitamin and mineral content. Methods and results In the current study, a total of 259 apricots genotypes from different geographical origins in Turkey were used. Significant variations were detected in fruit firmness (FF), fruit flesh color (FFC), flowering time (FT), and soluble solid content (SSC). A total of 11,532 SNPs based on DArT were developed and used in the analyses of population structure and association mapping (AM). According to the STRUCTURE (v.2.2) analysis, the apricot genotypes were divided into three groups. The mixed linear model with Q and K matrixes were used to detect the associations between the SNPs and four traits. A total of 131 SNPs were associated with FF, FFC and SSC. No SNP marker was detected associated with FT. Conclusion The results demonstrated that AM had high potential of revealing the markers associated with economically important traits in apricot. The SNPs identified in the study can be used in future breeding programs for marker-assisted selection in apricot., Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) [TUBITAK-215O445], This research was funded by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) with the Project Number TUBITAK-215O445.

Loquats have drawn much attention due to their essential nutrients and unusual phenology, which fills a market gap in early spring. Fruit firmness (FF) is one of the most important quality attributes. Dynamic changes in FF, cell wall (CW) polysaccharides, CW hydrolase activity, and expression of CW metabolism-related genes during the fruit development and ripening stages of two contrasting loquat cultivars were compared. Although the two cultivars possessed similar FF at the initial fruitlet stage, Dawuxing was significantly firmer than Ninghaibai at all subsequent time points. FF was positively correlated with the contents of covalent-soluble pectin and hemicellulose, activity of peroxidase, and gene expressions of PME, EG, CAD6, and POD; and negatively correlated with the contents of water-soluble pectin, activities of polygalacturonase, endo-glucanase, cellobiohydrolase, and xylanase, and gene expressions of PG, EG2, PAL1, PAL3, and CAD5. Identifying molecular mechanisms underlying the differences in FF is useful for fundamental research and crop improvement in future.

Auxin response factors (ARFs) are a transcription factor family that regulates the expression of auxin phase-responsive genes. Here, we performed a genome-wide investigation of the tetraploid blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum cv. ‘Draper’) genome sequence. Physical and chemical properties, phylogenetic evolution, gene structure, conservative motifs, chromosome location, and cis-acting elements of blueberry ARF genes were comprehensively evaluated. A total of 70 blueberry ARF genes (VcARF) were found in its genome, which could be divided into six subfamilies. VcARF genes were unevenly distributed on 40 chromosomes and were observed to encode protein sequences ranging in length from 162 to 1117 amino acids. Their exon numbers range from 2 to 22. VcARF promoter regions contain multiple functional domains associated with light signaling, aerobic metabolism, plant hormones, stress, and cell cycle regulation. More family members of VcARF genes were discovered in blueberry than in previously studied plants, likely because of the occurrence of whole-genome duplication and/or tandem duplication. VcARF expression patterns were analyzed at different stages of fruit development, and VcARF3, VcARF4, VcARF14, VcARF37, and VcARF52 were observed to play important roles. VcARF3 and VcARF4 appeared to function as repressors, while VcARF14 acted as an essential factor in fruit firmness differences between firm and soft flesh cultivars.

Vineyard calcium (Ca) sprays have been increasingly used by grape growers to improve fruit firmness and thus maintain quality, particularly in periods of heavy rains and hail. The observation that Ca visibly modified berry size, texture, and color in the most prominent white cultivar of the DOC region Vinhos Verdes, cultivar (cv.) Loureiro, led us to hypothesize that Ca induced metabolic rearrangements that resulted in a substantial delay in fruit maturation. Targeted metabolomics by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and directed transcriptomics were thus combined to characterize the metabolic and transcriptional profiles of cv. Loureiro berries that, together with firmness, °Brix, and fruit weight measurements, allowed to obtain an integrated picture of the biochemical and structural effects of Ca in this cultivar. Results showed that exogenous Ca decreased amino acid levels in ripe berries while upregulating PAL1 expression, and stimulated the accumulation of caftaric, coutaric, and fertaric acids. An increase in the levels of specific stilbenoids, namely E-piceid and E--viniferin, was observed, which correlated with the upregulation of STS expression. Trace amounts of anthocyanins were detected in berries of this white cultivar, but Ca treatment further inhibited their accumulation. The increased berry flavonol content upon Ca treatment confirmed that Ca delays the maturation process, which was further supported by an increase in fruit firmness and decrease in weight and °Brix at harvest. This newly reported effect may be specific to white cultivars, a topic that deserves further investigation., This work was supported by the “Contrato-Programa” UIDB/04050/2020 funded by Portuguese national funds through the FCT IP. This work was also supported by FCT, CCDR-N (Norte Portugal Regional Coordination and Development Commission), European Funds (FEDER/POCI/COMPETE2020) through the project AgriFood XXI (NORTE-01-0145- FEDER-000041) and the research projects BerryPlastid (PTDC/BIA-FBT/28165/2017 and POCI-01-0145-FEDER 028165), and MitiVineDrought (PTDC/BIA-FBT/30341/2017 and POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030341). AT was supported by a postdoctoral researcher contract/position within the project “BerryPlastid”. The Région-Centre Val de Loire (France) supported this work under the grant agreement to Projects CEPATLAS and VINODRONE to AL. This work also benefited from the networking activities within the European COST Action CA 17111 INTEGRAPE, the CoLAB VINES & WINES, and the CoLAB 4FOOD – Collaborative Laboratory for Innovation in the Food Industry, info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Texture softening of pickled cucumbers does not meet consumers’ quality expectations and leads to economic losses. The factor(s) triggering this phenomenon is still unknown. We investigated the importance of plant viruses such as Cucumber green mottle mosaic tobamovirus (CGMMV) and Zucchini yellow mosaic potyvirus (ZYMV) in the context of softening of pickles. Cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus) were infected by mechanical inoculation, grown under greenhouse conditions and tested positive for the viral infection by ELISA. The severity of virus infection was reflected in yield and symptom expression. Histological and morphological alterations were observed. All fruits were pasteurized, separately stored in jars and subjected to texture measurements after four, six and 12 months. CGMMV-infections were asymptomatic or caused mild symptoms on leaves and fruit, and texture quality was comparable to control. At the same time, fruits of ZYMV-infected plants showed severe symptoms like deformations and discoloration, as well as a reduction in firmness and crunchiness after pasteurization. In addition, histological alterations were detected in such fruits, possibly causing textural changes. We conclude that plant viruses could have a considerable influence on the firmness and crunchiness of pickled cucumbers after pasteurization. It is possible that the severity of symptom expression has an influence on texture properties. European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development

9 Pags.- 2 Figs.- 3 Tabls. The definitive version is available at: https://www.ishs.org/acta-horticulturae, High value late season peach cultivars from the region of Aragón (NE, Spain) are appreciated for their delicate flavor, external uniform golden appearance, yellow pulp and chiefly to be free of chemicals as they are bagged from their last three months of growth until harvest. However, their shelf life under storage is very short due to several problems such as loss of firmness, appearance of chilling injuries, incidence of physiological alterations called vitrescent dark spot (VDS) or corky spot (CS) and fungal rots. The research team from Zaragoza has worked for years in the fight against calcium-related physiological disorders in apples by preharvest strategies of foliar calcium treatments. More recently, postharvest treatments with low oxygen at room temperature (LOT) have been successfully applied. However, no reports of these kinds of treatments have been previously reported in late season peaches. Therefore, immediately after harvest, 'Chato' peaches were stored for 2 days at 20°C under low O2 (1-2%) in Palliflex bags. Thereafter, fruits were cold-stored (0-2°C) without bag for 40 days and changes were monitored in terms of fruit quality, chilling injuries, incidence of physiological alterations and respiration rates. After 40 days of cold storage, the firmness of treated fruits was the same as at the harvest day, about 41.9 N, meanwhile fruits untreated, decreased to 35.0 N. On the other hand, LOT treatment decreased both the incidence of VDS from 37.9 to 4.0% and chilling injury severity from 59.3 to 20.0%. Respiration rates were similar between treatments. Only statistical differences on ethanol production were found: higher in the treated fruits, probably due to the storage temperature the very first 2 days, although no odd flavors were found. In conclusion, the application of LOT treatments prior to cold storage may be a promising strategy to preserve fruit quality of late season peach cultivars and deserves further investigation., This work has been funded by the following grants: ‘Mejora de la calidad del melocotón de Calanda: material vegetal, técnicas culturales, conservación y comercialización’; ‘Mejora Genética de patrones Prunus y variedades de melocotonero’ (AGL2014-52063-R); and also by the Department of Innovation, Research and University of the Government of Aragon and the European Social Fund.

Foliar fertilization makes it possible to quickly provide plants with essential nutrients, mainly micronutrients, which can significantly improve the quality of yields. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of foliar fertilization with fertilizers containing calcium and microelements on yielding and fruit quality of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). A two-year study was carried out in western Poland in an experimental highbush blueberry production plantation. During the growing season the bushes were treated several times with the following foliar fertilizers: Armurox, BioCal, and Stymjod. The experiment assessed bush growth vigor, yield, fruit quality characteristics, sugar, organic acid, and health-promoting substance content. It was found that as a result of fertilizing highbush blueberry bushes with foliar fertilizers, the leaf blade area and plant yield increased significantly. The fruits collected from those bushes were characterized by a higher mass, firmness, and TSS content. This also applies to blueberry fruit after storage. Foliar fertilization had no significant effect on the content of chlorophyll a and b in the leaves of northern highbush blueberry, on fruit coloration, the content of sugars, ascorbic and citric acids, and the phenolic compounds in them.

Monilinia laxa causes serious postharvest damage on apricot fruits under shelf-life storage conditions. Plant elicitors of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA) can reduce this damage, and their research can explain the background of the plant defense physiological processes in M. laxa-infected fruits. The aims of this study were: (i) to evaluate the effect of various concentrations of MeJA and SA on brown rot incidence (BRI) and lesion diameter (LD) of apricot fruits, (ii) to measure the temporal patterns for the effect of 0.4 mmol L−1 MeJA and 2 mmol L−1 SA treatments on BRI, LD and seven fruit measures (fruit firmness (FF), lignin content (LC), total soluble phenol content (TSPC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and enzyme activities of PAL, POD and SOD) in treatments of M. laxa-inoculated versus (vs.) non-inoculated fruits over an eight-day shelf-life storage period, and (iii) to determine inter-correlations among the seven fruit measures for MeJA and SA treatments. Both MeJA and SA significantly reduced BRI and LD. LC, FF, TAC, TSPC, as well as SOD and PAL activities in the MeJA and SA treatments were higher than the water-treated control in most assessment days and both inoculation treatments. In both inoculation treatments, the activity of POD in the SA-treated fruits was higher than MeJA-treated and control fruits at all dates. In MeJA vs. SA and inoculated vs. non-inoculated treatments, six variable pairs (FF vs. TSPC, FF vs. TAC, TAC vs. PAL, PAL vs. POD, PAL vs. SOD, and POD vs. SOD) showed significant inter-correlation values. Principal component analyses explained 96% and 93% of the total variance for inoculated and non-inoculated treatments, respectively. In inoculated treatments, both PC1 and PC2 explained 41% of the total variance and correlated with FF, TSPC and TAC and with PAL, SOD and POD, respectively. In non-inoculated treatments, PC1 and PC2 explained 49% and 44% of the total variance and correlated with LC, PAL, POD and SOD and with FF, TSPC and TAC, respectively. It can be concluded that MeJA and SA are useful in the practice to enhance the plant defense system against brown rot by reducing fungal growth and by improving physical and antioxidant attributes (FF, LC, TAC and TSPC) and the activity of defense-related enzymes (PAL, POD and SOD) in apricot fruits during shelf-life storage conditions.

Monilinia laxa causes serious postharvest damage on apricot fruits under shelf-life storage conditions. Plant elicitors of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA) can reduce this damage, and their research can explain the background of the plant defense physiological processes in M. laxa-infected fruits. The aims of this study were: (i) to evaluate the effect of various concentrations of MeJA and SA on brown rot incidence (BRI) and lesion diameter (LD) of apricot fruits; (ii) to measure the temporal patterns for the effect of 0.4 mmol L−1 MeJA and 2 mmol L−1 SA treatments on BRI, LD and seven fruit measures (fruit firmness (FF), lignin content (LC), total soluble phenol content (TSPC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and enzyme activities of PAL, POD and SOD) in treatments of M. laxa-inoculated versus (vs.) non-inoculated fruits over an eight-day shelf-life storage period; and (iii) to determine inter-correlations among the seven fruit measures for MeJA and SA treatments. Both MeJA and SA significantly reduced BRI and LD. LC, FF, TAC, TSPC, as well as SOD and PAL activities in the MeJA and SA treatments were higher than the water-treated control in most assessment days and both inoculation treatments. In both inoculation treatments, the activity of POD in the SA-treated fruits was higher than MeJA-treated and control fruits at all dates. In MeJA vs. SA and inoculated vs. non-inoculated treatments, six variable pairs (FF vs. TSPC, FF vs. TAC, TAC vs. PAL, PAL vs. POD, PAL vs. SOD, and POD vs. SOD) showed significant inter-correlation values. Principal component analyses explained 96% and 93% of the total variance for inoculated and non-inoculated treatments, respectively. In inoculated treatments, both PC1 and PC2 explained 41% of the total variance and correlated with FF, TSPC and TAC and with PAL, SOD and POD, respectively. In non-inoculated treatments, PC1 and PC2 explained 49% and 44% of the total variance and correlated with LC, PAL, POD and SOD and with FF, TSPC and TAC, respectively. It can be concluded that MeJA and SA are useful in the practice to enhance the plant defense system against brown rot by reducing fungal growth and by improving physical and antioxidant attributes (FF, LC, TAC and TSPC) and the activity of defense-related enzymes (PAL, POD and SOD) in apricot fruits during shelf-life storage conditions.

Background Apple is one of the oldest and most valuable fruits. Water restriction is one of the major problems in the production of this fruit in some planting areas. Methods Effects of kaolin spray treatments were studied on two early apple cultivars of Golab and Shafi-Abadi under sustained deficit irrigation (SDI) in Alborz province, Iran during 2017 and 2018. Irrigation treatments were 100%, 85%, and 70% ETc and kaolin application were concentrations of 0, 3 and 6% in 2017 and 0, 1.5 and 3% in 2018. Results Results showed that 85% ETc treatment compared to other irrigation treatments improved apple tree crown volume in 2017. Deficit irrigation treatments significantly reduced fruit weight in both years. Application with 6% kaolin resulted in 33.3% increase in apple fruit weight compared to non-kaolin treatment at 100% ETc irrigation in the first year. Severe deficit irrigation (70% ETc) significantly reduced apple fruit length in both years, but 6% kaolin increased fruit length in both apple cultivars in 2017. Severe deficit irrigation treatment increased the firmness of apple fruit compared to control and mild deficit irrigation (85% ETc) in the first year of experiment. There was no significant difference between irrigation treatments for apple fruit firmness in the second year of experiment. Kaolin treatments of 1.5% and 3% at full irrigation increased the soluble solids content of apple fruit by 36.6% and 44.1% in 2018, respectively. Deficit irrigation treatments significantly increased leaf proline content compared to control in both years. In the first year, kaolin treatments increased leaf proline but in the second year, leaf proline was not significant. Deficit irrigation treatment of 70% ETc and 6% kaolin had the highest amount of glycine betaine content, malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide in apple leaf in the first year of experiment. Conclusions Severe deficit irrigation stress (70% ETc) increased the activity of nonenzymatic defense systems of apple trees. Kaolin as a drought stress reducing agent can be recommended in apple orchards of Golab and Shafi-Abadi cultivars as an effective and inexpensive method to improve tolerance to drought stress conditions.

In order to improve environmental sustainability of tomato cultivation and the quality of the harvested fruits, we tested (a) the digestate from anaerobic fermentation of buffalo slurries as partial replacing of NP fertilizers and (b) the biodegradable mulching to improve the nutrients and water availability for crop and to control weeds. In 2017&ndash, 2018, a private farm of Campania region hosted a trial with four treatments deriving from the combination of two experimental factors: (1) fertilization strategy (standard farm NPK fertilization vs. digestate combined with reduced rates of NP fertilizers), (2) soil mulching (biodegradable mulching vs. no mulching). We measured fresh and dry aboveground biomass (fruits and stem + leaves), yields, fruits quality. Results pointed out: (1) combination of digestate with reduced rates of NP fertilizers did not decrease yields compared to complete mineral fertilization, (2) yields were improved in 2017 by synergic effects of soil mulching and combination of digestate and reduced rates of NP fertilizers, (3) in both the years, digestate combined with reduced rates of NP fertilizers and soil mulching determined the significant improving of fruits quality parameters interesting the processing industry, namely, fruit color, and firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity while antioxidant activity, contents of ascorbic acid, polyphenols, flavonoids, and lycopene showed responses variable with year or cultivar.

In many fruit trees, the thinning of buds, flowers, or fruits is used to increase the leaf area-to-fruit ratio (LA:F) and reduce competition for carbohydrates. Meanwhile, calcium (Ca) sprays during fruit development are also used to increase fruit quality and postharvest storage. Such practices have been recommended to increase fruit firmness and reduce fruit cracking in sweet cherries. To understand the effects of foliar Ca sprays and crop load reductions in the combination ‘Lapins’/‘Colt’, trained as the Kym Green Bush, a factorial experiment to determine the interactions between both managements was established in the Central Valley of Chile during the 2018/2019 growing season. Two levels of crop load (CL) were established—thinned (50% crop load) and unthinned (100% crop load) during Stage I of fruit development (31 days after full bloom, DAFB). Three timings of foliar applications of CaCl2 (TFA; 0.8%) were evaluated: early 26 DAFB, later 39 DAFB, or late 62 DAFB. Natural fruit contents and concentrations of Ca were determined on unsprayed control trees. Fruit from the thinned trees were significantly larger and heavier and had a higher titratable acidity than unthinned trees did. Significant interactions between TFA and CL were observed for SSC, without a clear trend. Thinned trees were less affected by pedicel detachment, browning, and fruit decay after 45 d of storage (0 °C). In unthinned trees, a foliar CaCl2 spray at Stage I allowed a higher fruit firmness than CaCl2 sprays at Stage II and III of fruit development. The CaCl2 applications at 39 or 62 DAFB reduced the incidence of cracking in thinned trees. Natural Ca concentrations decreased during fruit development, indicating a cessation of Ca import and a dilution by subsequent growth. Our results suggest that the early reduction of crop load has positive effects on fruit quality and condition during storage, and early Ca sprays (Stage I) improve fruit textural properties, even under high crop loads.

Iran is an important apricot production and export country. Postharvest losses of apricots from brown rot (caused by Monilinia spp.) are major concerns for producers. Effects were assessed of postharvest hot water, putrescine and acetic acid treatments on apricot quality and shelf life. After treatment applications, fruit were cold stored at 5°C and 80% (±5%) relative humidity for 40 d. During this period, physical and physiological properties of the apricots were evaluated at 10-d intervals. Parameters assessed were fruit weight, decay, firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and skin colour values (L*, a*, b*). The 55°C hot water and 2.0 mM putrescine treatments gave the least fruit weight loss, brown rot incidence, and firmness loss after 40 of storage. For all treatments, fruit total soluble solids increased during storage, and these were greatest for the control (untreated) apricots. Apricots treated with hot water and putrescine had the greatest titratable acidity. The skin colour of all untreated and treated apricots improved throughout storage (from red to deep yellow). These data support the use of postharvest hot water and putrescine treatments for improved quality of apricots during storage. The scaling up of these treatments to packinghouse situations is important for evaluation of their technical and economic feasibility.

The irrigation patterns in two peach orchards, located in the central eastern region of Portugal, called “Beira Interior”, and the effect of different amounts of irrigation on the total production and fruit quality were evaluated. The experiment was conducted in 2016, in two different orchards, and included three treatments correspondent to three different flow rates per tree: 8, 12 and 16 l/hour. The water balance, which included the water supplied by rain and irrigation and the crop evapotranspiration, was developed. At harvest, crop production, pulp firmness and percentage of the total soluble solids were evaluated. There were no significant differences between treatments in the average production per tree. However, in one of the orchards production increased with the volume of irrigation. In the same orchard, fruit firmness decreased with the increasing water supply. Total soluble solids had decreased with the increasing water supply in both orchards, probably as a consequence of the dilution effect due, directly, to the water incorporated in the fruits, or, indirectly, to the larger fruits produced by the trees that were irrigated more. In general, the treatments used in this study as well as in the farmers’ practices, the supplied water was in deficit, but the farmers tend empirically to follow closely the evolution of evapotranspiration. Keywords: Deficit irrigation, Peach tree, Production, Total soluble solids, Fruit firmness

Bu çalışma, anti-transpirant spreylerin kirazlarda meyve çatlamasını azaltma üzerindeki etkinliğini doğrulamak ve hasatta ve hasat sonrası depolama sırasında meyve kalitesi üzerindeki etkisini değerlendirmek için yürütülmüştür. Çalışmada, yağış miktarına bağlı olarak doğal çatlama oranında farklılıkların meydana geldiği, ancak oluşan farklılıklarda tutarsızlıkların olduğu görüldü. Bazı denemelerde yağış miktarının çatlama oranı üzerine etkisinin olmadığı, ancak genellikle yağış miktarının artırması çatlama oranını artırmıştır. Sprey uygulamalarına bağlı olarak çatlama oranında önemli azalmalar olduğu belirlenmiştir. Spreylerin genel olarak meyve kalitesi üzerinde etkisi minimum olmuştur. Hasat sonrası yapılan ölçüm ve analizlerde sprey uygulaması ve kontrol uygulamasına ait meyvelerin depolama sırasında benzer davranış sergiledikleri belirlenmiştir., This study was designed to confirm the efficacy of anti-transpirant sprays on reducing fruit cracking in cherry, and to evaluate the impact on fruit quality at harvest and during post-harvest storage. In the study, it was observed that there were differences in the rate of natural cracking depending on the amount of precipitation, but there were inconsistencies in the differences. In some trials, the amount of precipitation has no effect on the rate of cracking, but generally the increase in the amount of precipitation has increased the rate of cracking. It has been determined that there is a significant reduction in cracking rate due to spray applications. Sprays consistently had minimal effect on fruit quality overall. Assessments of fruit post-harvest highlighted that all fruit, treated and untreated, exhibited similar behaviour during storage.

Supplementary data to this article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2020.02.033., Having a central role in cell wall pectin cross-linking, calcium has been increasingly used as supplement to promote fruit firmness and extended shelf-life. However, the molecular rearrangements associated to increased fruit robustness are still a matter of debate. In this study, mechanical, histochemical and molecular assays were conducted to understand the mechanisms underlying the effects of Ca in fruit physical properties. In a two-year field trial, grapevines were sprayed with exogenous CaCl2 throughout the fruiting season. Results showed an increase in berry Ca concentration at harvest, associated to increased fruit consistency and skin resistance. Scanning electron microscopy showed that fruits from Ca-treated plants had smoother skin surfaces than control fruits, and that microcracks encircling the lenticels were less prominent. Histochemistry assays suggested higher deposition of pectin-like material in skin cell walls in grapes from Ca-treated vines, but no evident modifications in cellulose content were observed. Accordingly, the expression of cellulose synthase family gene CesA3 was not affected by exogenous Ca, while polygalacturonase-encoding genes PG1 and PG2 were downregulated, together with EXP6 belonging to expansin family, and CER9 and CYP15 involved in cuticle biosynthesis. These results suggested that Ca acts by inhibiting pectin degradation and cell wall loosening, while remodeling cuticle structure., This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT/MCTES/PIDDAC) in the framework of the strategic funding [UID/BIA/04050/2019, UID/AGR/04033/2019, UID/FIS/04650/2013 - 2019, PEst-OE/BIA/UI4046/2014; UID/MULTI/04046/2013] and the projects [PTDC/AGR-PRO/7028/2014, PTDCBIA-FBT/28165/2017, PTDC/BIA-FBT/30341/2017, SFRH/BPD/107905/2015 to V.M., SFRH/BPD/110914/2015 to P.C., and SFRH/BD/136834/2018 to A.T.A]. The authors thank Dr António Teixeira (CBMA, University of Minho) for assistance with performing Principal Component Analysis in R software., info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Smart agriculture is a term used to describe the utilization of digital technologies used in optimizing agricultural food production systems. In order to increase the efficiency of manufacturing process, modern tools for collecting, storing and analyzing electronic data are used. The focus of this paper is creation and comparison of peach firmness prediction models using various machine learning algorithms. The size of the data set, which is used to construct machine learning models described in this paper, is small. Because size of the data set has a large impact on the performance of the machine learning algorithm, models of different complexities were developed to tackle this problem. Simple linear regression is used as fundamental techniques for predicting numerical outcome variable, the peach firmness using a single predictor variable. By extending simple linear regression model so that is can accommodate multiple predictors, multiple linear regression model is obtained, which is the top performing model when applied to the dataset described in this paper. The backpropagation neural network model is developed and its performance is compared to the performance of regression models.

This paper presents the results of the two-year (2015-2016) research of changes in fruit quality of quince fruits during cold storage. The investigations were conducted in eight quince cultivars: ‘Vranjska’, ‘Leskovacka’, ‘Morava’, ‘Pazardzijska’, ‘Hemus’, ‘Asenica’, ‘Portugal’ and ‘Triumph’. The fruits of the quince were kept in cold storage with normal atmosphere for five months, from October 20 to March 20, in temperature 0-2°C and air humidity 80%. After this period, changes in fruit quality were determined. The highest fruit weight loss was found in the cultivar ‘Pazardzijska’ (16.33%), and the lowest in ‘Asenica’ and ‘Morava’ (6.66 and 7.98%, respectively). Also, in ‘Pazardzijska’, the biggest soluble solids content (SSC) decrease (14.70%) was determined, while the smallest SSC decrease was determined in ‘Leskovacka’, ‘Morava’ and ‘Portugal’ (below 4%). The total acid content decrease varied from 33.05% in ‘Leskovacka’ to 63.75% in ‘Pazardzijska’. The losses in fruit firmness were smallest in ‘Pazardzijska’, and the largest in ‘Portugal’. The occurrence of flesh browning was lowest in ‘Asenica’ and ‘Hemus’, and largest in ‘Pazardzijska’. Of the investigated quince cultivars, the best results during the cold storage were determined in ‘Leskovacka’, ‘Morava’ and ‘Asenica’, and the worst in ‘Pazardzijska’.

Today, the ‘Rojo Brillante’ persimmons undergoing prolonged storage are treated with giberellic acid, which allows the delay of the harvesting to November-December. Although during this period the fruit maintained high commercial firmness, practical experience indicates very different behavior during the posterior cold storage, depending on the harvest moment. To explain what leads to these differences, an in-depth study of the physicochemical and microstructural changes occurring in the fruit during five commercial harvest times from November to December was carried out. During this period, slight variations in firmness occurred, ranging from 48 to 40 N. Nevertheless, the fruit behavior under cold storage was strongly influenced by the harvest date, which was explained by the degradation of cell wall, cell membrane and tonoplast, mainly noted in fruit from the latest harvests. Therefore, the fruit harvested with firmness close to 48 N had a highly structured cell, which maintained firmness during cold storage for up to 90 days. The fruit harvested with 43 N presented a more degraded structure, while the fruit with initial firmness around 40 N underwent major ultrastructure cell wall and membranes modifications, which led to greater firmness loss. Therefore, the fruit firmness at harvest is decisive for its storage potential.

The use of protective covers, such as high tunnels, is recognized as an effective technology to reduce rain-induced fruit cracking in sweet cherries, however, there is a lack of information concerning the effects of this production system on the fruit’s mineral concentration, quality, and postharvest life. This study assesses the feasibility of using high tunnels on ‘Santina’ sweet cherries under the Mediterranean climate of the Central Valley of Chile to obtain earlier harvests of high-quality fruit with long storage life. The study included two plots: Plot 1 during the 2018/2019 growing season, and Plot 2 during the 2019/2020 growing season. High temperatures and relative humidity inside the high tunnels during bloom and fruit set decreased fruit yield, particularly in Plot 1. On average, trees inside the high tunnels were harvested 11 days earlier than those in the open. Fruit from covered trees were significantly larger (13%) and softer (10%) than those from the outside. Fruit quality characteristics, such as soluble solids concentration and titratable acidity, were not affected by high-tunnel-protected cultivation. Fruit from covered and uncovered trees maintained the firmness differences obtained at harvest between treatments, but showed similar postharvest quality after 45 days at 0 °C and a further 3 days at 20 °C on the other characteristics. The covered fruit had lower Ca concentrations (7.7 mg 100 g−1) and higher K:Ca, Mg:Ca, and N:Ca ratios. Significant relationships were found between Ca or K:Ca and fruit firmness at harvest. Lower Ca concentrations in the fruit may explain the lower firmness of fruit grown under plastic covers. There were no differences between covered and uncovered cherries in either cracking susceptibility or induced pitting. ‘Santina’ cherries were very sensitive to pitting damage, but this is not associated with the fruit’s Ca concentration. The results obtained show that high tunnels influenced fruit yield, development, and quality, and emphasize that the fruit’s Ca concentration under this growing condition plays a significant role in the firmness of ‘Santina’ sweet cherries.

A strawberry Multi-parent Advanced Generation Intercrosses (MAGIC) population, derived from crosses using six strawberry cultivars was successfully developed. The population was composed of 338 individuals; genome conformation was evaluated by expressed sequence tag-derived simple short repeat (EST-SSR) markers. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) based on EST-SSR marker polymorphisms revealed that the MAGIC population was a mosaic of the six founder cultivars and covered the genomic regions of the six founders evenly. Fruit quality related traits, including days to flowering (DTF), fruit weight (FW), fruit firmness (FF), fruit color (FC), soluble solid content (SC), and titratable acidity (TA), of the MAGIC population were evaluated over two years. All traits showed normal transgressive segregation beyond the founder cultivars and most traits, except for DTF, distributed normally. FC exhibited the highest correlation coefficient overall and was distributed normally regardless of differences in DTF, FW, FF, SC, and TA. These facts were supported by PCA using fruit quality related values as explanatory variables, suggesting that major genetic factors, which are not influenced by fluctuations in other fruit traits, could control the distribution of FC. This MAGIC population is a promising resource for genome-wide association studies and genomic selection for efficient strawberry breeding.

The investigation was conducted to determine the best harvesting time and the storage period of some quince cultivars and promising genotypes from the collection of quince germplasm in the Horticultural Research Station of Isfahan, Iran. For this study, fruits of ‘Vidoja’ and ‘Isfahan’ cultivars as well as promising genotypes PH2 and NB4 were harvested on 6, 14 and 21 October 2015 and 2016 and then stored at 0 ± 1 °C with 90 ± 5% R.H. for five months. Weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), titrable acids (TA), taste index, pectin, total phenols, and percent of decay and surface browning of fruits were measured immediately after harvest and one-month intervals after storage in a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications and 10 fruits per each replication. The results showed that ‘Isfahan’ cultivar had the highest TSS (18.83%), total phenols and weight loss. The least weight loss was observed in the ‘Vidoja’ cultivar. NB4 genotype showed the least taste index and pectin, while the most pectin and firmness was related to PH2 genotype. Generally, the delay in harvesting and prolongation of storage led to increasing of TSS and weight loss and declining of firmness and phenols, TA, and pectins. Until the third month of storage, there was no surface browning. Browning symptoms were observed from the fourth month of storage and increased in the fifth month up to 1.72%. Generally, the best harvesting time for ‘Vidoja’ was 185 days and for the rest of the genotypes, it was 193 days after full bloom. Fruit storage for four months in cold is advisable for these cultivars and genotypes.

Studies on the maturation of mangoes in growing regions may help determine the optimal harvest strategies to support proper post-harvest handling and improve the fruit shelf life. The aim of the present study is to evaluate changes and establish correlations of physical and mechanical parameters during the ripening of mangoes cv. 'Tommy Atkins' collected from fifty plant rows in a commercial orchard. The fruits were picked at 35, 50, 65, 80, 95, 110, 125 and 135 days after flowering (DAF). Fruit mass, longitudinal diameter (LD), transverse diameter (TD), fruit firmness, force and maximum deformation compression, tension and Hencky’s strain were evaluated. The statistical design was totally randomized with four replications with ten fruits each. The results were submitted to longitudinal data analysis due to the quantitative nature imposed by the harvest time factor. Hencky’s strain curves and deformity underwent an analysis of the standard error of the mean. From the beginning of the harvest up to 125 DAF, the fruit went through an increase in its mass, in its longitudinal and transverse diameters and in its compressive strength. Both physical and mechanical parameters exhibited high correlation, up 0.93, as regards the fruit maturation stages. This demonstrates that the mangoes cv. 'Tommy Atkins’ hold excellent prospects of development.

RESUMO O crescimento do mercado de tomate para processamento industrial desperta o interesse de instituições nacionais e empresas multinacionais produtoras de sementes de hortaliças no desenvolvimento de novos híbridos. Neste sentido, objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho e a divergência genética de genótipos de tomate, quanto às características firmeza de fruto, concentração de maturação dos frutos, índice de retenção do pedúnculo, vigor da planta, cobertura foliar do fruto, sanidade da planta, produção média por planta e teor de sólidos solúveis (°Brix). Foram avaliados 53 híbridos, sendo três testemunhas, um deles o H9553, o híbrido mais plantado no Brasil. Apenas 12 genótipos e o híbrido comercial H9553 atenderam aos critérios necessários para tomates destinados ao processamento, com base nas características firmeza, concentração de maturação dos frutos e ausência de índice de retenção do pedúnculo. Os genótipos 1, 18 e 48 destacam-se quanto ao teor de sólidos solúveis, concentração de maturação e firmeza dos frutos, respectivamente. A análise de divergência genética e agrupamentos revela que os genótipos 1 e 18 apresentam maior dissimilaridade dos demais genótipos. Enquanto o primeiro demonstrou maiores médias de vigor de planta, cobertura foliar do fruto, sanidade da planta e °Brix, o segundo revelou menores valores nas avaliações firmeza de frutos, concentração de maturação dos frutos e °Brix. Os híbridos 3, 6, 8, 14, 24, 37 e 48 apresentaram similaridade fenotípica com o híbrido comercial H9553, o que os caracteriza como potenciais para serem utilizados como novas opções no mercado, uma vez que apresentam alta produtividade e qualidade e, portanto, aceitabilidade na cadeia produtiva de tomate industrial. Ademais, podem ser utilizados para cruzamentos futuros com genótipos de outros grupos, que também apresentem características favoráveis. ABSTRACT The growth of the tomato market for industrial processing arouses the interest of national institutions and multinational companies of vegetable seeds in the development of new hybrids. The objective of the study was evaluate the performance and genetic divergence of tomato genotypes, with respect to fruit firmness, fruit maturation concentration, jointless, plant vigor, leaf cover of the fruit, plant healthiness, average yield per plant and soluble solids (°Brix). First, we evaluated 53 hybrids, three of them being controls and one of the controls being H9553, the most sown hybrid in Brazil. Only 12 genotypes and the commercial hybrid H9553 presented the necessary criteria for processing tomatoes, based on characteristics fruit firmness, concentration of fruit maturation and lack of peduncle retention index. Genotypes 1, 18 and 48 stood out for soluble solids, concentration of fruit maturation and fruit firmness, respectively. The genetic divergence and groupings reveals that genotypes 1 and 18 present dissimilarity from the other genotypes. While the first showed a higher average plant vigor, leaf cover of the fruit, plant sanity and °Brix, the second revealed a lower average fruit firmness, concentration of fruit maturation and °Brix. Hybrid 3, 6, 8, 14, 24, 37 and 48 showed genetic similarity with the commercial hybrid H9553, which characterizes them as potential for generating new hybrids with high productivity and quality and, consequently, with acceptability of the industrial tomato production chain. Additionally, due to their favorable characteristics, they can be used for further crosses with genotypes of other groups which also present favorable characteristics.

A rapid and non-destructive assessment of quality parameters in tomatoes was evaluated using a portable differential absorbance (DA) meter in order to accurately establish optimum harvest maturity. A commercial tomato variety cv. ‘BARI Tomato-8’ grown in the summer season of Bangladesh was used in this study. Different quality parameters including fruit skin colour, tissue firmness, chlorophyll contents, ascorbic acid, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity and pH of tomatoes were determined using standard reference methods. Correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the difference in absorbance index (IDA) and fruit quality parameters. The correlation coefficients showed good ability in estimating the hue angle, chlorophyll contents, titratable acidity and firmness of tomatoes showing ‘r’ values of 0.93, 0.91, 0.91 and 0.92-0.94, respectively. However, the changes of ascorbic acid contents and TSS of tomatoes did not follow the linear model during fruit maturation. Thus, the DA meter could most accurately predict the major quality attributes and may be used as an efficient technique for in-plant non-destructive assessment of tomato fruit qualities.

This study aimed to combine the superior taste and flavor properties of domestic strawberry cultivars with the fruit firmness of foreign cultivars. Experiments were conducted during 2015-2017 growing period at Alata Horticulture Research Station and Çukurova University Department of Horticulture. Three local strawberry varieties ‘Kaşka’, ‘Sevgi’ and ‘Ebru’ developed by long-term breeding actives in Horticulture Department, were used as pollinator. The varieties ‘Albion’, ‘Fortuna’ and ‘Sabrosa’ which are popular and firm-fleshed were used as female parent. In this study, some important pomological characteristics of promising 13 genotypes and their parents were determined during the active harvest period (March, April, May). Genotypes ‘121’ and ‘169’ found to have the highest TSS (10.7% and 10.3%) levels. The fruits harvested in April were found to be the sweetest with 9.9% TSS compared to other months. The lowest acid content was detected in the genotype ‘121’ and ‘Fortuna’. As a result; it was noted that genotypes ‘112’ and ‘36 ’maintained their fruit weights during the growing season and could compete with commercial varieties. Another significant result is that genotypes ‘121’ and ‘169’ have high TSS values above the desired level. In order to improve relatively low fruit firmness values in the hybrids as the level of commercially important varieties thus, backcross breeding studies have been initiated by us. © 2019, Centenary University. All rights reserved.

The research was conducted in the experimental-production plum orchard during 2013. Some of the most important physical and mechanical properties of the fruit were investigated in three plum cultivars ("Čačanska Rana", "Čačanska Lepotica" i "Čačanska Najbolja") grafted on four rootstocks: one generative Myrobalan (Prunus cerasifera Ehrh.) and three vegetative ones (Pixy, St. Julien A and Ferley). St. Julien A induced the highest all three fruit dimensions in "Čačanska Najbolja", and length and thickness in "Čačanska Lepotica". Myrobalan and Fereley had the same effect in the "Čačanska Rana". St. Julien A influenced the biggest fruit firmness in "Čačanska Najbolja" and the smallest in "Čačanska Lepotica".

Представлены данные по использованию значений твердости мякоти плодов яблони в качестве показателя технической степени зрелости плодов для сока. Изучение проводилось на 10 иммунных к парше сортах яблони селекции ВНИИСПК. Контролем служил сорт Антоновка обыкновенная. Оптимальная степень зрелости для сока соотносилась с твердостью мякоти плодов, позволяющей получать максимальный выход сока с высокими вкусовыми качествами. Определение твердости мякоти проводили на 20 плодах пенетрометром типа «Салгирка» с площадью стержня 4,5 мм2 в динамике: сразу после съема, в момент предполагаемой технической зрелости и через 7…10 дней после нее. Максимальным выходом сока (выше 70,0%) за годы исследований характеризовались плоды, твердость мякоти которых находилась в пределах 4,3…7,1 кг/см2. Минимальной сокоотдачей около 50% характеризовались плоды с рыхлой мякотью (2,6…3,6 кг/см2). Твердой мякотью и высокой сокоотдачей отличались плоды зимних сортов: Свежесть, Болотовское, Антоновка обыкновенная. Более высокой твердостью мякоти и более высоким выходом сока характеризовались яблоки в 2011 и 2012 гг. (6,2 кг/см2; 65,0% и 6,1 кг/см2; 64,9% соответственно), чем в 2013 г. (5,3 кг/см2; 62,3%), что связано с погодными условиями вегетационного периода 2013 г. был более засушливым и менее теплым, чем 2011 и 2012 гг. Отмечена разная степень сортовой изменчивости твердости мякоти плодов при максимальном выходе сока. Для большинства сортов она характеризовалась как средняя. Высокая вариабельность твердости мякоти в годы исследования отмечена лишь у сорта Юбиляр. Наибольшей стабильностью данного показателя характеризовались сорта Зарянка, Орловим и Свежесть. Умеренные расхождения в значениях твердости мякоти плодов при максимальном выходе сока говорят о достаточной надежности данного показателя как индикатора технической степени зрелости для сока., Data on the use of apple fruit firmness as an indicator of the technical maturity of the fruit for juice are presented. The study was conducted on 10 scab immune apple varieties of VNIISPK breeding. Antonovka Common was taken as a control variety. The optimum degree of maturity for the juice was correlated with the fruit firmness, which allows to obtain the maximum yield of juice with high taste. The fruit firmness was determined on 20 fruits by penetrometer of the Salgirka type with a rod area of 4.5 mm2 in the following dynamics: immediately after the removal of the fruits from the trees, at the time of expected technical maturity and in 7—10 days after it. The fruits with fruit firmness within 4.3—7.1 kg/cm2 were characterized by the maximal yield of juice (above 70.0%) during the years of the study. Fruits with a loose pulp (2.6—3.6 kg/cm2) were characterized by the minimal yield of juice – about 50%. The fruits of the varieties of winter dates of maturing were characterized by dense flesh and high juice yield: Svezhest, Bolotovskoye and Antonovka Obyknovennaya. In 2011 and 2012 apples were characterized by higher fruit firmness and higher juice yield (6.2 kg/cm2; 65.0% and 6.1 kg/cm2; 64.9%, respectively) than in 2013 (5.3 kg/cm2; 62.3%) what was connected with the weather conditions during the vegetation period – in 2013 it was more drier and less warm than in 2011 and 2012. Different degrees of varietal variability in flesh firmness of the fruits with a maximum yield of juice were observed. For most varieties it was characterized as average. During the study years, high variability of fruit firmness was noted only in the variety Yubilar. The varieties Zarianka, Orlovim and Svezhest were characterized by the highest stability of that indicator. Moderate differences in the firmness of the fruit pulp at the maximum juice yield indicate sufficient reliability of this indicator as an indicator of the technical degree of maturity for juice.

Were evaluated 11 hybrids of indeterminate tomato company by ENZA ZADEN and a witness of the company SEMINIS, under greenhouse and laboratory with the objectives of: i) evaluate and participatory select 11 new hybrids of indeterminate tomato company ENZA ZADEN by adaptation, agronomic and health in the crop cycle, in harvest and post-harvest and ii) implement farmers with entrepreneurial char-acteristics, business participatory hybrids selected indeterminate tomatoes. The results showed that varie-ties with higher number of fruits and yield were Shannon and Afamia between type beef (round) and Granadero between pears. The round varieties had a higher average yield of pears. Pears are a number of varieties had higher than average round fruits. There was a high positive correlation between the number of fruits and yield both pears and round. The varieties with higher fruit weight were Bruni (between the round) and Centenario, Granadero and (from pears). Fruit weight in time is reduced linearly for all varie-ties except Corleone. The round variety with greater firmness fruit was Shannon. There was no difference in firmness between the pears. The firmness of fruit reduced linearly time for Bruni, Elpida, Hechicero, Rally, Centenario, Corleone and varieties and reduces linearly but increases quadratically for Maradona and Shannon varieties. The varieties that reduced fruit firmness were slower Corleone, Centenario and Afamia. The varieties with lower pH were Afamia (between the rounds) and Centenario and Granadero (from pears). The pH increases over time in linear form in all varieties. The varieties with higher content of Brix were Hechicero, Afamia, Granadero, Elpida, Rally, Maradona and Sebatina (between the rounds) and Corleone (from pears). Brix content increases linearly over time in all varieties. There were high and positive significant correlations between Brix and pH; weight and firmness of fruit. Participatory selection of varieties Elpida, Rally (round), Centenario and Policarpo (Pears), which are now commercially that, are taking place in the greenhouses of El Paso in Cochabamba was achieved.

Fleshy fruits are generally stored before consumption, especially apple, during which several diseases and disorders can occur. Mechanical handling and transportation may cause general wounding, leading to dramatic quality decay and fruit loss, thus to a negative economic impact. Although the majority of the research addressing fruit quality has mainly focused on the flesh, the multi-layered peel tissue complex represents the first natural barrier of a fruit. In this study, a texture analyzer was employed to investigate the peel contribution on the general fruit firmness of apple, assessing a germplasm collection composed by 65 accessions after two months of cold storage. This device generated a mechanical force–displacement profile from which a set of analytical parameters was derived. A comparative analysis between intact and peeled portions performed on each single fruit, enabled the characterization of the contribution of the peel on fruit firmness. By analysing the phenotypic variance of these analytical parameters within the apple collection by a multivariate statistical approach, two clusters were identified, amongst which a specific set of apple cultivars was distinguished by a superior peel contribution. The parameters here isolated and employed are finally proposed as novel traits with a potential impact for breeding, and suitable for the characterization and selection of novel accessions with an enhanced postharvest potential due to an improved mechanical performance of the peel.

International audience; Fruit firmness is an important market driven trait in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) as firmness dictates the harvesting, handing and marketing practices. In addition, consumers prefer firm sweet cherries. To investigate the genetic basis of fruit firmness, three different mapping populations were used: an INRA bi-parental F1 population, an INRA sweet cherry diversity population, and the RosBREED pedigreed population. For all three populations, the effects of different genotypes for fruit firmness were highly significant, and the broad-sense heritabilities were high ranging from 0.73 to 0.97. The INRA F1 sweet cherry population exhibited a bimodal distribution for fruit firmness which suggested that this population was segregating for a major locus controlling this trait. A major QTL for fruit firmness, named qP-FF4.1, that has not previously been reported, was identified in all three sweet cherry populations. Thirteen haplotypes (alleles) associated with either soft or firm fruit were identified for qP-FF4.1 in the sweet cherry germplasm. The soft fruit alleles for qP-FF4.1 contributed by the wild ‘mazzard’ sweet cherries were dominant over the firm fruit alleles. The identification of candidate genes for this fruit firmness QTL is underway. These results advance our understanding of the genetic basis of fruit firmness and will help to enable the use of DNA informed breeding for this trait in sweet cherry breeding programs.

7 pags.- 3 Tabls.- 1 Fig. Article derived from a original aportation to authors to VIII International Postharvest Symposium (Cartagena, Spain. 21-24 June 2016). The definitive version is available at: https://www.actahort.org/index.htm, To maintain fruit firmness and mitigate physiological alterations in a late season peach cultivar (Prunus persica ‘58GC-76’), environmentally friendly strategies including especial foliar calcium treatments, were developed. The innovation of these treatments consists of using an aqueous solution of the active matter (CaCl2) and a separate organic phase containing a concentrated adjuvant (tara gum) which confers to the final applied solution good characteristics of sticking and wettability, among others. This permits the spreading of calcium on the fruit surface and when environmental humidity increases, calcium solution can penetrate the fruit surface. This way of applying exogenous calcium, is only used in our laboratory so far. Conventional foliar applied calcium was not considered in this work because our previous results demonstrated their lack of effectiveness to mitigate physiological disorders in this commodity. Treatments at semi-industrial scale were conducted during 2014 and 2015 growing seasons. The very same pattern of treatments was applied to 58GC-76 peach orchards located in several sites of the ‘Bajo Aragón’ zone (NE Spain). The 58GC-76 variety suffers an emerging physiological disorder so called "corky spot" that has some similarities with vitrescent dark spot, which is affecting other late season peaches from the Protected Designation of Origin ‘Calanda’ in the same geographical region. The evolution of fruit nutrients (Ca, Mg and K), both in skin and pulp, demonstrated the effectiveness of calcium treatments during the two seasons in terms of increasing calcium concentration in both tissues. Regarding the evaluation of corky spot, a significant decrease in the severity and percentage of fruits affected was recorded in those fruits treated with calcium compared to control fruits which remained untreated., This work has been funded by the project ‘Mejora de la calidad del melocotón de Calanda: material vegetal, técnicas culturales, conservación y comercialización’ and by the grant from de Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitively ‘Mejora Genética de patrones Prunus y variedades de melocotonero’ (AGL2014-52063-R).

We investigated the correlation between leaf/soil minerals and fruit quality in apple trees grown in orchards, with the ultimate goal of improving the latter. Leaf mineral nutrients; soil nutrients in the 0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm layers; and fruit quality traits in 32 apple orchards in China were monitored for 2 years. Significant factors associated with fruit quality were identified via correlation analysis. An analysis of leaf data revealed that leaf nitrogen (N) and leaf magnesium (Mg) levels were extremely high in 75 and 89% of the orchards, respectively. In the Bohai Gulf region, 94% of the orchards showed significantly higher values than the standard. The soil pH values of the orchards in eastern China like eastern Shandong or Liaoning were lower than 7.0, while the pH values in the Loess Plateau of northwestern China like Shaanxi were much higher than 7. Soil alkali-hydrolyzable N levels in 47% of the orchards were lower than the optimal level of 70 mg kg −1 . Generally, the soil alkali-hydrolyzable N levels of orchards in the Bohai Gulf region were significantly higher than those in the Loess Plateau region. The available P levels in the orchards of the Bohai Gulf region were up to three times higher than those of the Loess Plateau region. However, although the available potassium (K) in most orchards was sufficient (51.39–309.94 mg kg −1 ), leaf K content in 73% of the orchards was low, possibly due to fruit bagging or fruit overload. Approximately 63% of the orchards in Shandong and 29% of the orchards in Shannxi showed leaf Fe deficiencies. In the Loess Plateau, most orchards showed high leaf Ca levels, a strong correlation was observed between leaf and soil phosphorus/potassium (P/K) content and fruit organic acid content. The amounts of fruit soluble sugar or fructose were positively correlated with soil calcium/potassium (Ca/K) levels and leaf calcium/boron (Ca/B) levels in most orchards. The excessive leaf N levels caused by the extensive application of N fertilizers had a negative effect on fruit quality in most apple orchards in China. P, K, Ca, and B were key minerals associated with fruit quality.

In order to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of postharvest salicylic acid and calcium chloride on shelf life, quality characteristics and antioxidant activity of peach fruit cv. Amesden, an experiment was conducted as factorial based on randomized completely design with three replications. Fruits were harvested at the commercial ripening stage, and fruits were immerged in different concentrations of salicylic acid (1 and 2 mM), calcium chloride (1.5 and 3%), combined salicylic acid and calcium chloride (1-1.5, 1-3, 2-1.5 and 2-3), and distilled water (control) for 5 min, then fruits were packed in boxes with polyethylene cover and stored at 4°C with 80-85% relative humidity for 35 days. The changes in weight loss, fruit firmness, rot percentage; pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity were estimated in 0 and 35 days during storage. The results showed that the weight loss, rot percentage, pH and total soluble solids significantly increased, while the fruit firmness, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity significantly decreased at the end of storage period. The salicylic acid and calcium chloride treatments significantly reduced the weight loss and maintained their firmness. In this condition, the highest of titratable acidity, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity were observed in treatments of salicylic acid and calcium chloride, while the lowest of total soluble solids and rot percentage was showed in treatments of salicylic acid and calcium chloride than in the control treatment. Also, combined treatment (salicylic acid + calcium chloride) had an important effect in relative to each treatment separately. The data indicated that the use of salicylic acid and calcium chloride may be introduced as an effective and successful strategy in postharvest technology of the peach.

41 Pags.- 6 Tabls.- 2 Figs.- Supp. Mats. (5 online resources). The definitive version is available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03044238, Agronomic, morphological and fruit quality traits were studied for 80 accessions from an apple Germplasm Bank established at the Experimental Station of Aula Dei, located in the central part of the Ebro Valley (Northeastern Spain, Zaragoza). This area is characterized by low-medium altitude, warm summers with hot day–night temperatures, cold winters and low annual precipitation. Most accessions were surveyed during the last decades from Spanish regions with different climate environments. Agronomic traits included bloom and harvest dates, while morphological traits included different fruit shape and size characteristics. Fruit quality parameters included percentage of over color, chromaticity parameters (L*, a*, b*, C* and h*), flesh firmness, soluble solids content and titratable acidity. Extensive variability was observed for most traits with significant correlations identified between many traits. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the main sources of variability in the set of accessions evaluated. Based on these sources, the cluster analysis produced six different groups of accessions according to the Ward's minimum variance criterion. Eight groups of synonymies were found which represented 21% of the total accessions studied. On the contrary, some accessions with the same allelic profile exhibit phenotypic differences, suggesting the existence of clonal mutations not detected with molecular markers. This study provides useful information for agronomic, morphological and fruit quality traits from a wide range of accessions grown under the Ebro Valley vulnerable climatic conditions. In addition, the most interesting materials could be used in breeding programs as parental genotypes to obtain apple cultivars with better adaptation to the limiting Spanish agro-climatic conditions., This study was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN) grants RFP 2009-00015, RF 2011-00017-05-05 and RFP 2012-00020, and cofunded by FEDER and the regional Government of Aragon (A44).

Studies on the maturation of mangoes in growing regions may help determine the optimal harvest strategies to support proper post-harvest handling and improve the fruit shelf life. The aim of the present study is to evaluate changes and establish correlations of physical and mechanical parameters during the ripening of mangoes cv. 'Tommy Atkins' collected from fifty plant rows in a commercial orchard. The fruits were picked at 35, 50, 65, 80, 95, 110, 125 and 135 days after flowering (DAF). Fruit mass, longitudinal diameter (LD), transverse diameter (TD), fruit firmness, force and maximum deformation compression, tension and Hencky's strain were evaluated. The statistical design was totally randomized with four replications with ten fruits each. The results were submitted to longitudinal data analysis due to the quantitative nature imposed by the harvest time factor. Hencky's strain curves and deformity underwent an analysis of the standard error of the mean. From the beginning of the harvest up to 125 DAF, the fruit went through an increase in its mass, in its longitudinal and transverse diameters and in its compressive strength. Both physical and mechanical parameters exhibited high correlation, up 0.93, as regards the fruit maturation stages. This demonstrates that the mangoes cv. 'Tommy Atkins' hold excellent prospects of development. Resumen: Los estudios sobre la maduración del mango en las regiones en crecimiento pueden ayudar a determinar el punto óptimo de cosecha, permitiendo adecuado manejo post-cosecha y aumentar la vida útil de frutas. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los cambios y las correlaciones de los parámetros físicos y mecánicos durante la maduración de los mangos cv. 'Tommy Atkins'. Se seleccionaron cincuenta plantas, cinco hileras de un huerto. Los frutos se cosecharon a los 35, 50, 65, 80, 95, 110, 125 y 135 días después de la floración (DAF). Se evaluó la evolución del peso del fruto, diámetro longitudinal (DL) y transversal (DT), firmeza de la fruta, la fuerza y la deformación máxima compresión, tensión y deformación de Hencky. El diseño estadístico fue completamente al azar con cuatro repeticiones, que consta de diez frutos cada una, y los resultados fueron sometidos a análisis de datos longitudinales debido a la naturaleza cuantitativa impuesta por el factor de tiempo de la cosecha. Las curvas de tensión y deformación de Hencky se sometieron a análisis de errores estándar de la media. Desde el comienzo de la cosecha hasta el 125 DAF se registra en el aumento de la masa frutas, los diámetros longitudinal y transversal, y la resistencia a la compresión de la fuerza. Parámetros físicos y mecánicos evaluados obtuvieron alta correlación con los estadios de maduración, hasta 0,93, lo que representa un buen indicador de desarrollo de los frutos de mango 'Tommy Atkins'.

Horticultural crop improvement would benefit from a standardized, systematic, and statistically robust procedure for validating quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in germplasm relevant to breeding programs. Here, we describe and demonstrate a strategy for developing reference germplasm sets of perennial, clonally propagated crops, especially those with long juvenile periods. Germplasm is chosen to efficiently represent important members of larger pedigree-connected genepools. To facilitate validation of multiple QTLs, genome-wide representation of alleles is optimized for designated important breeding parents (IBPs) by estimating average allelic representation in relatives. The strategy and arising principles were demonstrated in a simulated germplasm set. Strong statistical power can be achieved with a carefully chosen germplasm set composed of IBPs, their numerous unselected progenies and close relatives, and all available founders and intermediate ancestors. Crop Reference Sets were developed in the marker-assisted breeding (MAB)-enabling “RosBREED” project as a base resource for QTL validation in US breeding germplasm of apple (Malus × domestica), peach (Prunus persica), and sweet cherry (Prunus avium) consisting of 467, 452, and 268 individuals, respectively. These sets adequately represent the most designated IBPs, have distinct advantages for QTL validation over other germplasm arrangements of equal size, and are recommended as a base resource for QTL validation by breeders of these US crops. The strategy described here can be used to develop efficient reference germplasm sets suiting other breeding genepools or to calculate the statistical power for QTL validation of germplasm sets already established.

The present investigation on papaya (Carica papaya L.) cv. Red Lady was carried out at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, during the year 2010-11. The study was carried out using 9 different treatments involving two chemicals calcium nitrate and calcium chloride at 1, 2, 3 and 4% concentration and two growth regulators, viz., GA3 at 75, 100, 150 and 200mg/l, and BA at 100, 125, 150 and 175mg/l concentration conducted separately in a factorial concept of completely randomized design (CRD), with three replications, under laboratory conditions. Physical parameters studied were per cent fruit ripening, physiological loss in weight (PLW), fruit firmness, shelf-life, and, physic-chemical properties studied were: total soluble solids (TSS), total sugars, reducing sugars, acidity, ascorbic acid and Brix:acid ratio. Fruits treated with CaCl2 @ 4% showed significantly low PLW, per cent fruit ripening, and the highest fruit-firmness, shelf-life, lowest total soluble solids, total sugars, reducing sugars, Brix:acid ratio, and highest acidity and ascorbic acid content, which were on par with CaCl2 @ 2% application. Fruits treated with GA3 @ 100mg/l also exhibited similar results for these parameters. It was concluded that CaCl2 @ 4 % had a beneficial impact on shelf-life of papaya fruits upto 10.67 days without any loss in either physical or physic-chemical properties. Similarly, application of growth regulators such as GA3 and BA @100mg/l significantly increased shelf-life of papaya fruits upto 12 days and 11 days, respectively, while showing the best physical and physico-chemical properties.

The present investigation on papaya (Carica papaya L.) cv. Red Lady was carried out at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, during the year 2010-11. The study was carried out using 9 different treatments involving two chemicals calcium nitrate and calcium chloride at 1, 2, 3 and 4% concentration and two growth regulators, viz., GA3 at 75, 100, 150 and 200mg/l, and BA at 100, 125, 150 and 175mg/l concentration conducted separately in a factorial concept of completely randomized design (CRD), with three replications, under laboratory conditions. Physical parameters studied were per cent fruit ripening, physiological loss in weight (PLW), fruit firmness, shelf-life, and, physic-chemical properties studied were: total soluble solids (TSS), total sugars, reducing sugars, acidity, ascorbic acid and Brix:acid ratio. Fruits treated with CaCl2 @ 4% showed significantly low PLW, per cent fruit ripening, and the highest fruit-firmness, shelf-life, lowest total soluble solids, total sugars, reducing sugars, Brix:acid ratio, and highest acidity and ascorbic acid content, which were on par with CaCl2 @ 2% application. Fruits treated with GA3 @ 100mg/l also exhibited similar results for these parameters. It was concluded that CaCl2 @ 4 % had a beneficial impact on shelf-life of papaya fruits upto 10.67 days without any loss in either physical or physic-chemical properties. Similarly, application of growth regulators such as GA3 and BA @100mg/l significantly increased shelf-life of papaya fruits upto 12 days and 11 days, respectively, while showing the best physical and physico-chemical properties.

a b s t r a c t This paper presents a statistical method for the calibration of an acoustic technique for the real-time eval- uation of fruit firmness. The technique uses an experimental setup based on two standard piezoelectric transducers and exploits two novel stiffness indexes developed in the first part of this paper. Exten- sive experimental measurements show good correlation (r = 0.930, R 2 = 0.865) between the proposed non-destructive test and the traditional destructive Magness-Taylor test. An evaluation of the statistical significance (t-test) of the obtained regression model parameters has been performed and validates the method. The presented sorting analysis complements the physical detection techniques presented in the first part of the paper, allowing to classify individual kiwifruits with high accuracy and high prediction rate (∼90%). The technology is suitable for industrial real-time and in-line applications aiming to improve warehouse stock management and market stock uniformity.

International audience; Fruit ripening and softening are key traits for many fleshy fruit. Since cell walls play a key role in the softening process, expansins have been investigated to control fruit over ripening and deterioration. In tomato, expression of Expansin I gene, SlExp1, during fruit ripening was associated with fruit softening. To engineer tomato plants with long shelf life, we screened for mutant plants impaired in Slexp1 function. Characterization of two induced mutations, Slexp1-6_14/211S, and Slexp1-7_Q213Stop, showed that Slexp1 loss of function leads to enhanced fruit firmness and delayed fruit ripening. Analysis of cell wall polysaccharide composition of Slexp1-7_Q213Stop mutant pointed out significant differences for uronic acid, neutral sugar and total sugar contents. Hemicelluloses chemistry analysis by endo-beta-1,4-D-glucanase hydrolysis and MALDI-TOF spectrometry revealed that xyloglucan structures were affected in the fruit pericarp of Slexp1 -7_Q213Stop mutant. Altogether, these results demonstrated that SlExp1 loss of function mutants yield firmer and late ripening fruits through modification of hemicellulose structure. These SlExp1 mutants represent good tools for breeding long shelf life tomato lines with contrasted fruit texture as well as for the understanding of the cell wall polysaccharide assembly dynamics in fleshy fruits.