Search

In Spain, peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] production has experienced an increase of ≈30% during the past 20 years [Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (MAPAMA), 2021]. In 2018, the total peach cultivated surface area was ≈50,000 ha, with the majority of peach production located in Ebro Valley, northeastern Spain. Aragon and Catalonia are the two most important Spanish peach regions within Ebro Valley, producing ≈430,000 and 409,000 tons annually, respectively (MAPAMA, 2021). Spain is the leading European peach producer and the world’s largest exporter, with a crop value of almost USD 1 billion. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The continuous release of new nectarine [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] cultivars by breeders from around the world, together with consistent improvements in orchard management strategies by growers, commercial interest in the production of fruit fresh consumption, and the introduction of new cultivars from Spanish scion nectarine breeding programs have positioned Spain as the preeminent worldwide nectarine exporter and currently the largest European producer [Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (MAPAMA), 2021]. In Spain, the main nectarine-producing area is the Ebro Valley that accounts for more than 60% of the total Spanish peach and nectarine production (MAPAMA, 2021). info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

19 Pags.- 5 Tabls.- 4 Figs. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license, Peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) is one of the most produced and studied stone fruits. Many genetic and genomic resources are available for this species, including a high-quality genome. More recently, a new high-density Illumina peach Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) chip (9+9K) has been developed by an international consortium as an add-on to the previous 9K array. In the current study, this new array was used to study the genetic diversity and population structure of the National Peach Germplasm Collection of the Agrifood Research and Technology Centre of Aragon (CITA), located in Zaragoza (northern Spain). To accomplish this, 90 peach accessions were genotyped using the new peach SNP chip (9+9K). A total of 9796 SNPs were finally selected for genetic analyses. Through Identity-By-Descent (IBD) estimate analysis, 15 different groups with genetically identical individuals were identified. The genetic diversity and population structure elucidated a possible exchange of germplasm material among regions, mainly in the northern regions of Spain. This study will allow for more efficient management of the National Peach Germplasm Collection by classifying valuable individuals for genetic diversity preservation and will benefit forthcoming Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) of commercially important fruit traits in peach., This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MCI), the State Research Agency (AEI), and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), through the project “PostPeachBreed” (RTI2018-094176-R) (MCI/AEI/FEDER, UE).

Breeding of apple is a long-term and costly process due to the time and space requirements for screening selection candidates. Genomics-assisted breeding utilizes genomic and phenotypic information to increase the selection efficiency in breeding programs, and measurements of phenotypes in different environments can facilitate the application of the approach under various climatic conditions. Here we present an apple reference population: the apple REFPOP, a large collection formed of 534 genotypes planted in six European countries, as a unique tool to accelerate apple breeding. The population consisted of 269 accessions and 265 progeny from 27 parental combinations, representing the diversity in cultivated apple and current European breeding material, respectively. A high-density genome-wide dataset of 303,239 SNPs was produced as a combined output of two SNP arrays of different densities using marker imputation with an imputation accuracy of 0.95. Based on the genotypic data, linkage disequilibrium was low and population structure was weak. Two well-studied phenological traits of horticultural importance were measured. We found marker–trait associations in several previously identified genomic regions and maximum predictive abilities of 0.57 and 0.75 for floral emergence and harvest date, respectively. With decreasing SNP density, the detection of significant marker–trait associations varied depending on trait architecture. Regardless of the trait, 10,000 SNPs sufficed to maximize genomic prediction ability. We confirm the suitability of the apple REFPOP design for genomics-assisted breeding, especially for breeding programs using related germplasm, and emphasize the advantages of a coordinated and multinational effort for customizing apple breeding methods in the genomics era., This work was partially supported by the project RIS3CAT (COTPA-FRUIT3CAT) financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the FEDER frame of Catalonia 2014–2020 and by the CERCA Program from Generalitat de Catalunya. We acknowledge financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the “Severo Ochoa Program for Centres of Excellence in R&D” 2016–2019 (SEV‐20150533). This work has been partially funded by the EU seventh Framework Program, the FruitBreedomics project No. 265582: Integrated Approach for Increasing Breeding Efficiency in Fruit Tree Crops.

The peach [Prunus persica L. (Batsch)] slow ripening (SR) trait is a mutation preventing the normal fruit ripening process. It is determined by a single Mendelian gene (Sr/sr) located on linkage group 4, where only homozygous individuals for a recessive allele (sr) show the SR phenotype and are generally discarded from breeding programs. Ripening-related traits such as fruit weight, firmness loss, ethylene production, ACO activity, sugars and organic acids composition, malondialdehyde, antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content were evaluated in a segregating population for the SR trait during two consecutive harvest seasons and at different maturity stages. Although there is no commercial value for the slow ripening (srsr) individuals, our results demonstrate that a heterozygous combination involving sr and another allele at this locus (Sr2) showed interesting traits including a longer harvest window and improved postharvest behaviour if harvested at the appropriate maturity (IAD ≥ 2). All these traits seem to be linked to a delayed ripening behaviour mediated, in turn, by a lower ethylene production capacity and an altered sugar (mainly sucrose) and organic acid accumulation/utilisation on-tree. The selection of this allelic combination could be an easy and efficient strategy to obtain new peach cultivars with potentially improved shelf life., The financial support from the CERCA programme (Generalitat de Catalunya) and from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO/FEDER projects AGL2015-68329-R and RTA2015-00050-00-00, Severo Ochoa Program for Centres of Excellence in R&D201-2019 SEV-2015-0533) is gratefully acknowledged.

Blooming in temperate fruit species is triggered by chilling and heat requirements (CR and HR), with a wide range of requirements within the same species. CR for flower bud dormancy release has become a limiting factor for geographical adaptation of fruit trees in warmer regions. The present study investigated the genetic basis of CR and HR to break dormancy and flowering time (FT) in an almond x peach F2 progeny. FT, HR and CR were evaluated over two consecutive years (2015/2016 and 2016/2017). Seven out of the eight identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were found in both periods of analysis. They affected eight traits, and included a consistent QTL for breaking dormancy, CR and HR. Two of them, affecting FT and HR for FT (GDHF), colocalized in G1, and the remaining QTLs, affecting chilling and heat requirements, both influenced by dormancy breaking (DB), were located in G6. These results indicate that factors not related to DB affect flowering time in this population. Implications of the results in peach breeding are discussed., This project was supported in part by funding from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO/FEDER projects AGL2015-68329-R and RTA2015-00050–00-00, Severo Ochoa Program for Centres of Excellence in R&D 201–2019 SEV-2015–0533) and from the CERCA Programme-Generalitat de Catalunya.

In peach, pollen sterility, expressed as absence of pollen in the anthers, segregates as an undesired trait in breeding programs. Pollen fertility screening in progenies is not a common practice mainly because it does not affect fruit set since cross-pollination is frequent. It is also a time-consuming activity that coincides with the busy pollination season. Segregation for this trait could be avoided by using molecular markers to identify appropriate parents or male sterile plants for early culling in progenies expected to segregate, thus increasing breeding efficiency. In peach, pollen sterility is determined by a recessive allele in homozygosis of the major gene, Ps/ps, located on chromosome 6. In this work, using a conventional mapping approach combined with bulked segregant analysis using resequencing data, we fine mapped Ps to a region of almost 160 kb and developed molecular markers for marker-assisted breeding. These markers were validated in plant materials from three peach breeding programs, including progenies, advanced selections, and cultivars, allowing us to determine that the frequency of the ps allele is high (0.23) and also to infer the genotypes of a large collection of cultivars and advanced breeding lines., We acknowledge financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, through the “Severo Ochoa Programme for Centres of Excellence in R&D” 2016–2019 (SEV-2015-0533) and Project AGL2015-68329-R, from the CERCA Programme (Generalitat de Catalunya), and the “Stony Hard” project co-funding the CREA-Forlì breeding program.

Few information is available about how chilling injury-inducing storage affects quality and consumer acceptance of different peach/nectarine cultivars and its possible relationship with altered physiological or ripening-related events. Accordingly, this study investigated the effect of chilling injury (CI)-inducing temperatures (4 °C during 21 days) on ethylene production, firmness loss, ACC oxidase (ACO) activity, antioxidant capacity, chilling injury symptoms such as mealiness or flesh browning, sensory attributes and consumer acceptance of six melting (‘Ambra’, ‘Nectaross’, ‘Rome Star’, ‘Big Top’, ‘Honey Royale’ and ‘Sweet Dream’) and a stony-hard (SH; ‘Ghiaccio-1’) peach/nectarine cultivars, over two consecutive seasons (2011–2012). Cold storage at 4 °C induced greater ethylene production and ACO activity accompanied by greater firmness loss in all cultivars except for the SH phenotype. Antioxidant capacity slightly decreased in response to cold storage, but increased during shelf life (20 °C) after 1 or 3 days to reach similar levels than those observed in non-cold stored fruit. The greatest capacity of the fruit to produce ethylene after cold storage was associated to lower mealiness incidence. For most cultivars, chilling injury-inducing storage negatively influenced the consumer acceptability. However, no clear relationships were found between the antioxidant capacity, the pattern of firmness loss and the development of chilling injury symptoms.

This research focuses on the effect of maturity stage and storage conditions on quality and consumer satisfaction of ‘Big Top®’ nectarines. At harvest time, fruit were graded in three categories according to the IAD index (index of absorbance difference = A670 − A720) based on Vis spectroscopy. Physicochemical parameters (soluble solids concentration, titratable acidity and flesh firmness) were measured for the three maturity categories at harvest time and after up to 49 days of storage at 20, 10, 4 or −1 °C. Consumer satisfaction and sensory attributes were also measured on fruit from all three categories at harvest time, as well as on fruit from the intermediate maturity class after storage at the different tested temperatures for up to 49 days. At harvest time, consumer's satisfaction increased significantly with maturity stage at harvest, mainly due to an upper sweetness and flavour perception and higher SSC value detected in the most mature class. For short storage periods, ‘Big Top®’ nectarines kept at 20 °C received the highest scores for peach flavour intensity and overall acceptance. For longer storage periods, no significant differences among temperatures were observed on sensory quality or consumer satisfaction, except for fruit stored for the longest period (7 weeks), for which higher consumer acceptance was found for fruit stored at −1 °C than at 4 °C. Results also suggested that higher acceptance scores were associated mainly to more intense perception of flavour.

Pags.- Figs.- Tabls. The definitive version is available at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1097-0010

[Background]: Peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) is a major temperate fruit crop with an intense breeding activity. Breeding is facilitated by knowledge of the inheritance of the key traits that are often of a quantitative nature. QTLs have traditionally been studied using the phenotype of a single progeny (usually a full-sib progeny) and the correlation with a set of markers covering its genome. This approach has allowed the identification of various genes and QTLs but is limited by the small numbers of individuals used and by the narrow transect of the variability analyzed. In this article we propose the use of a multi-progeny mapping strategy that used pedigree information and Bayesian approaches that supports a more precise and complete survey of the available genetic variability., [Results]: Seven key agronomic characters (data from 1 to 3 years) were analyzed in 18 progenies from crosses between occidental commercial genotypes and various exotic lines including accessions of other Prunus species. A total of 1467 plants from these progenies were genotyped with a 9 k SNP array. Forty-seven QTLs were identified, 22 coinciding with major genes and QTLs that have been consistently found in the same populations when studied individually and 25 were new. A substantial part of the QTLs observed (47%) would not have been detected in crosses between only commercial materials, showing the high value of exotic lines as a source of novel alleles for the commercial gene pool. Our strategy also provided estimations on the narrow sense heritability of each character, and the estimation of the QTL genotypes of each parent for the different QTLs and their breeding value., [Conclusions]: The integrated strategy used provides a broader and more accurate picture of the variability available for peach breeding with the identification of many new QTLs, information on the sources of the alleles of interest and the breeding values of the potential donors of such valuable alleles. These results are first-hand information for breeders and a step forward towards the implementation of DNA-informed strategies to facilitate selection of new cultivars with improved productivity and quality., This work has been funded under the EU seventh Framework Programme by the FruitBreedomics project Nu. 265582: Integrated Approach for increasing breeding efficiency in fruit tree crops. IRTA-CRAG group received financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, through the “Severo Ochoa Programme for Centres of Excellence in R&D” 2016–2019 (SEV-2015-0533)” and through the project AGL2015-68329-R, and from the CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya.

Presence, absence and intensity of red skin color in peach fruit are key characters for breeding varieties adapted to different market niches and consumer preferences. Red skin color is the result of anthocyanins, and in some progenies, the suppression of red skin color has been found to be controlled by a single gene, H/h, where plants homozygous for the recessive allele (h) produce the highlighter (anthocyaninless) phenotype. In this paper we analyzed an F2 population of 276 individuals segregating for this trait and mapped the H gene on a 5 cM region of linkage group 3. This region was saturated with additional markers and finally H was located in a genomic region of ~607 kbp containing 62 genes. Three of these genes corresponded to MYB10 transcription factors, known to control anthocyan biosynthetic pathways in peach and other species, such as cherry and apple. A codominant marker based on the sequence of one of these genes (PpMYB10.1) was used to genotype the F2 progeny and cosegregated with the trait. To further validate the marker it was tested in a collection of 87 peach cultivars. A strong association was found between the marker genotype and the intensity of red blush, with the three cultivars that have a complete absence of red blush being homozygous for the marker allele associated with the highlighter trait, confirming that it could be used as an efficient, although not diagnostic, marker to select this character in peach breeding programs., We acknowledge financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, through the “Severo Ochoa Programme for Centres of Excellence in R&D” 2016–2019 (SEV‐2015‐0533) and Project AGL2012-40228, and from the CERCA Programme-Generalitat de Catalunya.

7 Pags., 1 Tabl., 2 Figs. The definitive version is available at: http://www.actahort.org/index.htm, In peach fruits, phenolic compounds serve as a major source of potential antioxidants which are known to play a significant role in fruit quality and in human well being. This study was conducted in a F1 population derived from the cross ‘Venus’ × ‘Big Top’ nectarines in order to investigate the variability in the fruit antioxidant content and to study the genetic control and location of QTLs involved in fruit quality traits. Biochemical analyses have been performed to measure L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), total phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins contents and antioxidant capacity., This study was funded by the Spanish MIC1NN (Ministry of Science and Innovation) grant AGL-2008-00283, cofunded by FEDER, and the Regional Government of Aragon (A44). W. Abidi was supported by a JAE fellowship from CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas).

The role of postharvest application of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in the softening of ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit under different cold storage conditions was investigated. 1-MCP treated fruit (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 µl L -1 ) were kept in cold storage (1°C) up to 6 months before ripening. Different 1-MCP application times were also tested in this trial (12 and 24 h). Effect of 1-MCP under ethylene-free atmosphere and under ethylene contaminated atmosphere during storage was investigated. Under both conditions, 1-MCP treatment significantly delayed the rate of fruit softening during cold storage. Firmness out of cold storage was significantly increased by 1MCP treatments. Moreover, the number of days of shelf life at 20°C (after 4 and 6 months of cold storage at 1°C) needed by ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit to reach a flesh firmness ≤10 N was significantly increased by 1-MCP postharvest treatment. These data show that 1-MCP treatment recommendations for an optimal result depend on both the length of cold storage as well as ethylene contamination of the atmosphere during storage.

Skin burning is a new type of skin damage related to exposure to high pH values during the brushing-waxing postharvest operations that has been observed recently on some newly released peach and nectarine [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] cultivars. In this work, we described this skin disorder for the first time and studied its triggers and biological basis. Different skin burning susceptibility was observed after screening 21 peach and nectarine cultivars. The stability of the skin phenolic extracts to pH in the range 7-10 was studied by UV-visible spectroscopy. This study demonstrated that fruit skin phenolics are not stable at high pH and that the transformations occurring at high pH are reversible and time-dependent. The changes on the UV-visible absorption spectra at different pH values pointed out the copigmentation of anthocyanins as the mechanism beyond the skin burning disorder. Finally, some recommendations to minimize this postharvest damage are also discussed.

The definitive version is available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09255214 37 Pag., 6 Tabl., 3 Fig., Chilling injury (CI) is the collective term for various disorders that occur during prolonged cold storage and/or after subsequent ripening of stone fruit. Major symptoms of CI include mealiness, graininess, flesh browning, loss of flavor (off flavor), and red pigmentation (bleeding). These symptoms were evaluated over 2 years in an intra-specific progeny population derived from the cross of cultivars ‘Venus’ (freestone, melting and yellow-flesh nectarine) and ‘BigTop’ (clingstone, melting and yellow-flesh nectarine) after storage of fruit at 5 °C (CI inducing conditions) for 2 and 4 weeks. All the evaluated traits in the progeny showed continuous variation which is typical of quantitative or polygenic inheritance. Longer cold storage periods increased the incidence and severity of CI symptoms, except for bleeding and leatheriness, which were not affected by time of storage. CI symptoms showed high and significant heritability or genotype effect in the studied population, with no significant effect of harvesting year. Browning, mealiness and graininess were significantly correlated and were the main CI symptoms observed in this population. Mealiness and graininess were negatively correlated with stone adhesion which reflects the higher susceptibility to CI disorders of freestone fruit. A genetic linkage map of linkage group 4 (LG4) was constructed with SSR and candidate genes (CGs). Significant quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for mealiness, graininess, leatheriness and bleeding were found in this linkage group, validating QTLs for CI symptoms previously reported in this linkage group from an unrelated progeny population. In addition, QTLs controlling other agronomic and fruit quality traits were also localized in this linkage group., The authors acknowledge financial support from the Spanish MICINN (Ministry of Science and Innovation) grants AGL-2005-0533 and AGL-2008-0283, the Regional Government of Aragón (A44), and a FPU fellowship to Ms. C.M. Cantín. Work in Crisosto Lab is funded by UC Discovery Grant (bio05–10527) with the Industry-University Cooperative Research Program and by Research Grant No. US-4027-07 from BARD, the United States–Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund.

The peach [Prunus persica L. (Batsch)] slow ripening (SR) trait is a mutation preventing the normal ripening process. Individuals with this phenotype are discarded in peach breeding programs. This trait is determined by a single gene (Sr/sr), where the recessive homozygote (sr/sr) confers the SR phenotype, and has been mapped to linkage group 4 of the peach genome. A large deletion of 26.6 kb containing the sequence of a NAC transcription factor has been proposed as the causal mutation. Two dominant markers based on the sequence of this region have been assayed previously and found to be diagnostic (genotypes always predicted the phenotypes). However, their dominant nature—a null allele for the marker was associated with the sr allele—made it impossible to predict the individuals that carried the SR trait. Here we used resequencing information to develop a codominant molecular marker for the SR trait in peach. The marker was validated in the ‘Belbinette’ × ‘Nectalady’ F1 and the ‘Venus’ F2 populations, and in 27 lines, 18 of which are known to carry the sr allele. The marker cosegregated with the SR phenotype in all cases, allowing the discrimination of two DNA fragments of different size associated with normal-ripening alleles, in addition to a third fragment associated with the sr allele. The utility of this marker in peach breeding programs is discussed., Funds for this research were provided in part by a project of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Knowledge (AGL2012-40228-C02-01). This work also was supported by Fondo de Areas Prioritarias Centro de Regulación del Genoma 15090007, CORFO Consorcio Biofrutales 13 CTI-21520-SP03 and 13 CTI-21520-SP04, FONDECYT 1160584, FONDEF Genoma G13i10005 and CORFO-Innova 09PMG7240.

The entry into cells of Newcastle disease virus (NDV), a prototype member of the paramyxoviruses, is believed to occur by direct fusion at the plasma membrane through a pH-independent mechanism. In addition, NDV may enter host cells by an endocytic pathway. Treatment of cells with drugs that block caveolae-dependent endocytosis reduced NDV fusion and infectivity, the degree of inhibition being dependent on virus concentration. The inhibitory effect was reduced greatly when drugs were added after virus adsorption. Cells treated with methyl fl-cyclodextrin, a drug that sequesters cholesterol from membranes, reduced the extent of fusion, infectivity and virus-cell binding; this indicates that cholesterol plays a role in NDV entry. Double-labelling immunofluorescence assays performed with anti-NDV monoclonal antibodies and antibodies against the early endosome marker EEA1 revealed the localization of the virus in these intracellular structures. Using fluorescence microscopy, it was found that cell-cell fusion was enhanced at low pH. It is concluded that NDV may infect cells through a caveolae-dependent endocytic pathway, suggesting that this pathway could be an alternative route for virus entry into cells., This work was partially supported by grants from the Spanish Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (FIS; PI021848 and PI051796) (co-financed by the European Union FEDER Funds within the FEDER-FSE 2000-2006 framework) to E. V. and Junta de Castilla y Leon (SA037A05) to I.M. B.

To identify genotypes with good organoleptic properties, antioxidant-rich content and low susceptibility to chilling injury (CI), fruits from 130 peach cultivars were studied over three consecutive years. Pomological traits, l-ascorbic acid, flavonoids, total phenolics, relative antioxidant capacity (RAC) and sugars were determined. Major symptoms of CI developed at 5 °C, such as leatheriness, flesh browning, bleeding and loss of flavor, were evaluated.The population exhibited wide phenotypic variation in agronomic and biochemical traits. Six genotypes with high total phenolics, RAC, flavonoids and total sugars were selected. The progeny also showed variability for all evaluated CI symptoms, and 16 genotypes showed considerably lower susceptibility to CI. After 2 weeks of cold storage, leatheriness and bleeding were the main CI symptoms observed, whereas flesh browning was predominant after 4 weeks.It was possible to find varieties with high phenolic concentration and relatively low or intermediate CI susceptibility (22, 33, 68, 80, 81, 96 and 120). However, the correlations observed between CI and phenolic contents highlight their potential influence on susceptibility to internal browning. This relationship should be considered in the current breeding programs to select cultivars with high bioactive compound contents, health-enhancing properties and good postharvest performance.

a b s t r a c t The combined effect of sulfur dioxide (SO2) fumigation and different carbon dioxide (CO2)-enriched atmo- spheres (3% O2 + 3, 6, 12, or 24% CO2) on quality attributes, postharvest decay, phytochemical content, and antioxidant capacity of eight fresh blueberry cultivars (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) was determined. The SO2 treatments did not harm berry quality, but did significantly reduce decay incidence, especially when it was followed by storage in elevated CO2 atmospheres (>6%). However, very high CO2 atmospheres (24%) induced fruit softening and 'off-flavors'. Botrytis and Alternaria spp. were the dominant fungal pathogens causing decay of blueberries during storage, but differences in the species of decay microorganisms were found among cultivars. Postharvest strategies that included SO2 fumigation and/or enriched CO2 atmo- spheres did not negatively affect phytochemical content or antioxidant activity of the fruit; however, the polyphenolic content and total antioxidant activity varied greatly among cultivars. Overall, SO2 fumiga- tion followed by controlled atmosphere storage (3% O2 + 6 or 12% CO2) is a promising postharvest strategy for fresh blueberries to reduce decay, extend market life, and maintain high nutritional value.

8 Pag., 3 Tabl., 3 Fig., [PO] O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a diversidade genética entre 17 populações de pessegueiro, discriminando os caracteres mais importantes na avaliação da divergência genética de características de qualidade do fruto com base em procedimentos multivariados. Os trabalhos foram desenvolvidos na Estação Experimental de Aula Dei do Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (EEAD-CSIC), Zaragoza – Espanha. Foram analisados 687 indivíduos, pertencentes a 17 populações de pessegueiro. Foram avaliadas as seguintes características: produção; número de frutos por planta; peso por fruto; coloração da epiderme; firmeza de polpa; diâmetros sutural, equatorial e polar; relação diâmetro polar/diâmetro sutural; teor de sólidos solúveis totais dos frutos; pH; acidez total titulável; relação entre teor de sólidos solúveis totais da polpa e acidez total titulável. Das características avaliadas, as que mais contribuíram para a divergência genética foram produção, número de frutos por planta e peso por fruto. Recomendou-se a realização de cruzamentos entre os genótipos superiores da população VADAC 0055 com os das populações VADAC 0027, VADAC 0036, VADAC 0063 e VADAC 0065., [EN] This work aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity among seventeen peach progenies and 687 seedlings. The most important characteristics in the genetic divergence evaluation of fruit quality traits were calculated by using a multivariate analysis. Trials were carried out at the Experimental Station of Aula Dei (CSIC), Zaragoza – Spain. Traits such as yield, fruit number per tree, fruit weight, epidermis coloration, firmness, fruit height, suture diameter (SD), cheek diameter (CD), CD/SD ratio, soluble solids content (SSC, ºBrix), pH, titratable acidity (TA) and SSC/TA index, were evaluated. Yield, fruit number per tree and fruit weight were the characteristics that contributed the most for genetic divergence. Based on this evaluation, hybridizations between superior genotypes from VADAC 0055, VADAC 0027, VADAC 0036, VADAC 0063 and VADAC 0065 populations were recommended., Agradecimento à Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), pelo apoio financeiro e pela concessão da bolsa para a realização do Doutorado-Sandwich.

10 Pag., 4 Tabl., [PO] Melhorar a qualidade do fruto é um dos principais objetivos dos programas de melhoramento genético do pessegueiro, tendo relação direta com as preferências de mercado e do consumidor. Quando se fala em qualidade, busca-se obter plantas produtivas, com frutos grandes e firmes, com ótimos sabor e coloração. Porém, o pêssego produzido no Brasil ainda deixa a desejar, principalmente em firmeza, quando comparado aos padrões internacionais. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar, selecionar e indicar genótipos que apresentem frutos de boa qualidade e com polpa não fundente, para utilização futura como genitor masculino no programa de melhoramento de pessegueiro da Universidade Federal de Viçosa. Os trabalhos foram desenvolvidos na Estação Experimental de Aula Dei (CSIC), Zaragoza - Espanha, durante o período de maio a agosto de 2006, sendo analisados cerca de 687 indivíduos, pertencentes a 17 populações de pessegueiro. Com base nos resultados obtidos, pólen de ‘Crown Princess’ e dos seedlings VADAC 0027, VADAC 0052, VADAC 0063 e VADAC0065 podem ser recomendados para utilização como genitores no programa de melhoramento do pessegueiro da UFV, visando a obter frutos de boa qualidade e com textura não fundente., [EN] Good fruit quality is one of the most important objectives in peach breeding, it has a direct relationship with the market and consumer preferences. With regard to quality, it means to obtain productive plants, with large and firm fruits, good flavor and attractive color. However, Brazilian peach still does not present good characteristics, mainly regarding firmness, when compared with the international peach patterns. The aim of this study was to evaluate, to select and to indicate some peach genotypes that produce fruit with good quality and non-melting flesh, for future use as male parent in the Peach Breeding Program of Universidade Federal de Viçosa. The studies were carried out at the Experimental Station of Aula Dei (CSIC), Zaragoza – Spain, during the period of May to August in 2006. About 687 seedlings, from 17 peach populations [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch], were evaluated. Based on the obtained results, pollen from ‘Crown Princess’ and from seedlings VADAC 0027, VADAC 0052, VADAC 0063 and VADAC0065 could be recommended as parent in the Peach Breeding Program of UFV, aiming to obtain non-melting flesh fruits, with good quality traits., Agradecimientoa à Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), pelo apoio financeiro e pela concessão da bolsa para a realização do Doutorado-Sandwich.

Postharvest diseases limit the storage period and market life of fresh figs (Ficus carica L.). The objective of this work was to determine the effect of sulfur dioxide (SO(2)) applied by fumigation and/or by dual release SO(2) generating pads on postharvest decay and quality retention of 'Black Mission' and 'Brown Turkey' (dark skin), and 'Kadota' and 'Sierra' (green skin) figs. A protocol for the computer-controlled application of gaseous SO(2) has been developed which allows the application of very low specific concentration x time products of SO(2) and simultaneous monitoring of the application progress. In vitro tests with important fungal, yeast and bacterial postharvest pathogens plated on Petri dishes and exposed to a SO(2) concentration x time product (C x t) of 100 (mu L/L) h at different temperatures showed fewer survived at 20 degrees C than at 0 degrees C. Therefore, fumigations were carried out at 20 degrees C in the rest of the experiments. The evaluation of different SO(2) concentration x time products showed that a product of 25 (mu L/L) h provided the best compromise between decay control and fruit injury. The performance of SO(2) fumigations on warm or cold fruit, its combination with SO(2) generating pads, and the use of repeated fumigations during cold storage were also evaluated. All the SO(2) treatments tested reduced the percentage of decay, extending the market life of fresh figs. However, in some cases, the use of SO(2) generating pads increased the incidence of skin bleaching. Fumigation of warm fruit at 25 (mu L/L) h of SO(2) reduced populations of Alternaria and Rhizopus spp. growing on the fig surface. The treatment was more effective against Rhizopus spp. than against Alternaria spp. Contamination of fruit by Botrytis spp. and Penicillium spp. was also reduced by SO(2). In conclusion, results showed that SO(2) can be a potential tool to control postharvest rots and therefore increase the market life of fresh figs. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The definitive version is available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03044238, The influence of Adara, CAB 6P, Gisela 5, MaxMa 14, Saint Lucie GF 64 (SL 64), Saint Lucie GF 405 (SL 405), and Tabel rootstocks onto vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality of ‘Van’ and ‘Stark Hardy Giant’ (SHG) sweet cherry cultivars was studied during 10 years after grafting. The experiment was performed in the Ebro Valley (Zaragoza, Spain), on a heavy and calcareous soil. Significant differences in some of these parameters such as vigour, yield, fruit size, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), skin colour and fruit firmness were examined among rootstocks. In general, the highest vigour, annual and cumulative yield were induced by Adara rootstock, whereas Gisela 5 induced the lowest when grafted with both cultivars. The highest yield efficiency was induced by Gisela 5 due to its low trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), together with Adara, CAB 6P and Tabel for ‘SHG’ cultivar. Regarding fruit quality, Adara, CAB 6P and MaxMa 14 showed, in general, the highest fruit weight and the more attractive skin colour for both sweet cherry cultivars. Furthermore, the high yield shown by Adara did not significantly affect its fruit size. Cherries of trees grafted on Adara also showed high firmness, which implies a better resistance to post-harvest damage. CAB 6P showed a tendency to induce higher TA. Despite the higher firmness of fruits on Gisela 5 and its tendency to induce higher SSC and ripening index, the smaller size fruits together with the less attractive skin colour resulted in a non-interesting rootstock in terms of fruit quality for our growing conditions. Interesting correlations were found among quality parameters, such as the positive correlation showed by SSC with fruit weight and TA. The work demonstrates that the scion–rootstock combination influences some important sweet cherry attributes such as vigour, yield, fruit size, acidity, skin colour and firmness., The authors acknowledge financial support from Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología (AGL 2002-04219 and 2005-05533) projects. Celia M. Cantín was supported by a FPU fellowship from MICINN (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación).

The definitive version is available at: http://www.springerlink.com/content/102881/, Agronomic and fruit quality traits were evaluated and compared for three consecutive years on 1,111 seedlings coming from 15 peach and nectarine breeding crosses, grown under a Mediterranean climate. Significant differences among and within the different progenies were found for most of the traits analyzed. The breeding population segregated for several Mendelian characters such as peach or nectarine fruit, round or flat fruit, yellow or white flesh and freestone or clingstone. In addition, aborting fruit and flat fruit trees were found in our progeny, and our data seem to support multi-allelic control of both flat shape and aborting fruit. The variation within the progenies of some traits such as blooming and harvesting date, yield, fruit weight and SSC was continuous, suggesting a polygenic inheritance. Relationships between qualitative pomological traits and these agronomic and fruit quality parameters were also found. Valuable correlations among agronomic and fruit quality parameters were found, although coefficients of variation depending on the progeny should be considered. In addition, principal component analysis (PCA) revealed several relationships among quality traits in the evaluated progenies. Based on this evaluation, 26 outstanding genotypes were pre-selected from the initial breeding population for further studies., This study was supported by the Spanish MICINN (Ministry of Science and Innovation) grants AGL-2005-05533 and AGL-2008-00283, and the Regional Government of Aragón (A44). C.M. Cantín was supported by a FPU fellowship from Spanish MICINN.

Antioxidant capacity and contents of total phenolics, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and vitamin C were evaluated in 218 genotypes from 15 peach and nectarine breeding progenies. Significant differences were found among progenies on the fruit antioxidant profile, corroborated by the high contribution showed by cross to the phenotypic variance of each phytochemical trait analyzed (16-45%). Phytochemical profile varied depending on peach/nectarine and yellow/white flesh color qualitative traits. On the other hand, no significant effect of year was found on the bioactive profile of peaches and nectarines. Antioxidant capacity was linearly correlated to total phenolic content, but correlation varied depending on the progeny. No correlation was found for vitamin C versus any other phytochemical trait. The results suggest the importance of genetic background on the antioxidant profile of peaches and nectarines and stress its relevance for the ultimate objective of this work: selecting new peach and nectarine genotypes rich in bioactive compounds to benefit consumer's health.

7 Pags.- 1 Tabl.- 3 Figs. The definitive version is available at: http://www.actahort.org, A breeding program searching for new peach and nectarine varieties adapted to the Ebro Valley growing conditions is being developed at the Aula Dei Experimental Station (CSIC). This program evaluates 15 populations obtained by controlled crosses. Different agronomic parameters such as blooming date, yield, and ripening date were determined in these populations. Quality traits such as fruit type, weight, flesh firmness, soluble solids content (SSC), total phenolics content, antioxidant activity, and other chemical attributes were determined and evaluated. In addition, market life was tested based on chilling injury (CI) susceptibility. Several parameters studied such as yield, SSC, sugars composition, total phenolics, and CI sensibility showed a great variability within the different populations., Supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (AGL2002-04219 and AGL2005-05533, co-financed by FEDER), and DGA (A28 and A44) grants. C.M. Cantín was supported by a FPU fellowship from Spanish MEC (co-financed by FSE).

The influence of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on quality attributes and shelf life performance of 'Friar' plums (Prunus salicina) was studied. Plums were stored at 0°C and 85% relative humidity for a 60-day period in five different box liners (LifeSpan L316, FF-602, FF-504, 2.0% vented area perforated, and Hefty liner) and untreated (control). Flesh firmness, soluble solids concentration, titratable acidity, and pH were unaffected by the box liners. Fruit skin color changes were repressed on plums packed in box liners that modified gas levels and weight loss was reduced by the use of any of the box liners. Plums packed without box liners (bulk-packed) had ≈6% weight loss. High carbon dioxide (CO2) and low oxygen (O2) levels were measured in boxes with MAP box liners (LifeSpan L316, FF-602, and FF-504). Percentage of healthy fruit was unaffected by any of the treatments during the ripening period (shelf life) after 45 days of cold storage. However, after 60 days of cold storage, fruit from the MAP box liners with higher CO2 and lower O2 levels had a higher incidence of chilling injury (CI) symptoms, evident as flesh translucency, gel breakdown, and >off flavor> than fruit from the other treatments. Overall, results indicate that the use of MAP box liners is recommended to improve market life of 'Friar' plums up to 45 days cold storage. However, the use of box liners without gas control capability may lead to CI symptoms in fruit cold-stored for longer periods., We acknowledge financial support from Kool Kountry and Sun World. Ms. Celia M. Cantín was supported by a FPU fellowship from Spanish MEC (Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia).

Six cling-stone melting nectarine cultivars (‘Big Top’, ‘Luciana’, ‘Honey Royale’, ‘Nectareine’, ‘Big Nectared’ and ‘Nectalady’) were cut and dipped into an aqueous solution of 2% ascorbic acid, 1% citric acid and 1% calcium chloride before being stored in amorphous polyethylene terephthalate trays. Their suitability to be processed as fresh-cut product was then investigated on the basis of their initial quality, browning potential and sensory attributes as well as the changes in these parameters after processing. At harvest, two maturity stages were selected for each cultivar based on their index of absorbance difference. Nonetheless, no significant effect of maturity stage at harvest was observed for most of the physico-chemical and/or sensory parameters during storage. On the contrary, differences among cultivars were emphasized when comparing ethanol and acetaldehyde production, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, volatiles production, sensory profile, and consumer acceptance. ‘Honey Royale’ and ‘Nectalady’ wedges showed higher volatiles production, whereas ‘Big Nectared’ and ‘Luciana’ had a slightly lower browning index (BI). In the sensory evaluation, ‘Nectareine’ had the highest acceptability scores, whereas ‘Big Nectared’ had the lowest. The significant correlations between volatiles, sensory attributes and degree of liking observed in this study underline the importance of aroma in fresh-cut products.