不同品种苹果幼树对氮磷亏缺的生理响应

  【目的】  探究不同苹果品种对低磷、低氮及低磷低氮胁迫的生理响应,为养分高效利用苹果品种的选育提供理论基础。  【方法】  采用沙培盆栽试验方法,供试材料为三年生‘嘎拉’/M9T337、‘富士’/M9T337和‘蜜脆’/M9T337矮化自根砧苹果(M9T337为矮化砧木)。以改良1/2Hoagland营养液为基础,设置正常、低氮两个氮水平(NO₃– 15、1.5 mmol/L)和正常、低磷两个磷水平(H₂PO₄– 1.0 、0.1 mmol/L),共配置适氮适磷、适氮低磷、低氮适磷和低氮低磷4个处理。测定了苹果树体生长、叶片光合作用和叶绿素荧光参数,分析了苹果叶片氮、磷代谢相关酶活性,树体氮、磷累积量。  【结果】  与适氮适磷相比,适氮低磷和低氮适磷条件下,‘嘎拉’和‘蜜脆’的植株总干物质量均显著降低,‘富士’的植株总干物质量有显著增加;适氮低磷条件下的‘嘎拉’、‘富士’和‘蜜脆’叶绿素b含量均显著降低,F_o呈升高趋势,但‘嘎拉’和‘富士’的F_v/F_m显著升高且P_n未有显著变化,而‘蜜脆’P_n则降低了65.72%;低氮适磷条件下,‘嘎拉’、‘富士’与‘蜜脆’叶片F_o均呈升高趋势,F_v/F_o降低,降幅分别为7.45%、2.47%和8.59%。与适氮适磷相比,适氮低磷、低氮适磷和低氮低磷条件下,‘富士’的类胡萝卜素含量升高,而‘嘎拉’和‘蜜脆’则均呈下降趋势;‘嘎拉’、‘富士’和‘蜜脆’的叶片亚硝酸还原酶(NiR)活性均显著降低;‘嘎拉’叶片硝酸还原酶(NR)活性显著降低,植株氮累积量降幅最大,而‘富士’叶片NR活性受影响最小,植株氮累积量降幅最小;在适氮低磷条件下,‘嘎拉’、‘富士’和‘蜜脆’的叶片酸性磷酸酶(ACP)活性显著增加,‘富士’的增幅最大,低氮适磷和低氮低磷条件下三者ACP活性与适氮低磷相比均大幅降低;适氮低磷和低氮适磷条件下‘嘎拉’和‘蜜脆’的植株总磷累积量均显著降低。依据雷达图定量综合评价函数值Y可知,3个品种对低磷、低氮以及低磷低氮的适应性排序均为‘富士’>‘蜜脆’>‘嘎拉’。  【结论】  低磷胁迫、低氮胁迫及低磷低氮胁迫下,抗性品种‘富士’的叶片类胡萝卜素含量显著升高,保护光系统以维持正常光合作用,显著提高叶片酸性磷酸酶活性和硝酸还原酶活性,提高植株对磷和氮的利用率,保证植株生长。与‘富士’相比,‘蜜脆’叶片光合作用受到显著抑制,‘嘎拉’叶片NO₃–还原过程明显减弱,植株氮累积量显著降低,二者植株生长均受到显著抑制,抗性较弱。     

光诱导转录因子MdMYB1对苹果果皮花青苷合成调控的表达分析

MdMYB1是调控苹果(Malus domestica)果皮着色的重要转录因子。黄绿色苹果脱袋后果面现红色,为了研究其花青苷合成表达调控机制,本研究采用Real-time PCR方法分析了光照对4种不同颜色苹果黄绿色品种金冠和陆奥、红色品种富士、深红色品种红星果皮转录因子MdMYB1表达的影响。研究表明,不同颜色苹果品种着色速度、面积和MdMYB1转录表达速度及累积量有关。通过金冠、红星苹果果实套袋处理,研究了果皮着色过程中结构基因苯丙氨酸解氨酶(MdPAL)、花青素合成酶(MdANS)、查尔酮异构酶(MdCHI)和类黄酮糖基转移酶(MdUFGT)的相对表达变化,结果表明,红星处理和对照转录因子MdMYB1及结构基因在着色过程中是持续表达的,而黄绿色品种金冠则没有出现持续表达的态势。金冠苹果转录因子MdMYB1与结构基因MdCHI表达模式相同,与MdPAL相似,经分析MdMYB1和结构基因MdCHI和MdPAL启动子序列,金冠苹果携带等位基因MdMYB1-2,其启动子区域有多个G-box光结合位点,据此推测,光照调控的光敏色素通过结合其启动子区域的G-box位点来调控转录因子MdMYB1-2;MdCHI在启动子区域含有顺式作用元件MBS,MdPAL含有顺式作用元件MBS和MBSⅡ,说明转录因子MdMYB1-2调控结构基因MdCHI表达,并有可能调控基因MdPAL或有密切相关性。结果表明,红星果皮全面着色可能与着色期转录因子及结构基因的持续表达和基因间协调表达有关;而金冠果皮在着红色过程中光诱导的转录因子MdMYB1调控的结构基因起决定性作用。     

多花黑麦草杂交种SSR分子标记鉴定及表型比较分析

多花黑麦草为异花受粉植物,杂交过程中易出现杂交种生物性混杂现象,有必要对杂交后代进行真假鉴定分析.本研究旨在筛选出多花黑麦草优势杂交组合和优异杂交后代材料,为多花黑麦草杂交育种工作提供基础资料.实验利用SSR分子标记辅助鉴定5个多花黑麦草(Lolium multiflorum)骨干品种为亲本创制的杂种后代真实性,并对亲本与杂种后代主要表型进行比较.结果表明:(1)用20对引物组合共得到多态性条带426条,多态性位点百分率为82.41％,说明SSR分子标记能够很好的揭示多花黑麦草材料间的差异;(2)经SSR分子鉴定,将后代分为有父本特征谱带的杂种后代、无父本特征带的后代2类,在150个杂交后代单株中有父本特征谱带的杂种后代有108个为真杂种,其中杂交组合GC、CG真杂种最多均为24个,WG组合真杂种最少为19个;(3)杂交组合CG的F1代部分形态特征显著优于亲本,5个杂交组合内(间)在营养器官与生殖器官性状均存在显著差异,其中杂交组合MG的变异系数最高,WG的变异系数最低,杂交组合CG形态特征显著高于其他杂交组合.由研究结果可以初步判断长江2号×赣选一号多花黑麦草为优势杂交组合,其杂交种为优异杂交后代材料,可为后续杂交选育新品系提供后备材料.     

水稻籼粳交DH群体的构建及其基因型偏态分离分析

长江大学农学院, 荆州 430025)摘要：对籼粳杂交组合"中花11（粳）/中组14（籼）"F1进行花药培养,获得112个二倍体再生植株。利用亲本间多态性SSR分子标记对该群体二倍体再生植株进行纯合性鉴定,并分析该群体基因型偏离情况。选用22个多态性标记分析结果表明,所得再生植株都为来自花粉母细胞的纯合植株,不存在来自于体细胞的杂合株,确保了DH群体的准确性。多态性SSR带型分析结果表明,该群体未发生异常的基因型偏态分离。因此,在组织培养体系中引进SSR标记,快速准确稳定了DH群体,基因型偏态分离分析保证了群体的质量,为后续的图谱构建及基因定位工作奠定了基础。     

水稻抗白叶枯病Xa23基因的微卫星标记RM206在育种群体中的多态性分析

RM206是与水稻抗白叶枯病基因Xa23紧密连锁的微卫星标记,应用该标记对含有Xa23基因的品种386(CBB23)、优良育种材料384、385和387,杂交种F1、F2及回交群体BC1、BC2进行多态性分析。结果表明,RM206的PCR扩增产物在4个亲本材料之间的多态性较好,这种多态性能在杂交后代群体F1、F2及回交群体BC1、BC2中得到保持,RM206扩增产物的显隐性带型之间的比率在杂交后代群体F1、F2及回交群体BC1、BC2中符合孟德尔分离定律。RM206标记在各育种群体中未出现偏分离现象。     

辐射诱变冰糖橙早熟突变体的遗传鉴定与品种特性

为探究辐射诱变冰糖橙果实提早着色性状的遗传变异,果实着色与糖酸内在品质表现,以及辐射诱变冰糖橙是否为早熟突变体,以突变体与对照冰糖橙为材料,对比分析春梢长度、春梢叶片、花器官、果实大小、果皮颜色转变、主要物候期等性状和特性的变化,应用分子标记鉴定遗传变异,比较两者果实中可溶性固形物、可滴定酸、固酸比的变化以及蔗糖和柠檬酸代谢相关基因的表达。结果表明,与对照冰糖橙相比,突变体春梢显著变短,成熟时果实较大,果皮和果肉提前15 d转色成橙黄色和橙色,主要物候期提早2～5 d,插入或缺失（InDel）标记和简单序列重复（SSR）标记引物扩增都存在差异条带,突变体发生了遗传改变。早熟突变体果实外观颜色与内在品质在花后190 d同步达到正常成熟度,可溶性固形物、可滴定酸及固酸比分别为14.53°Brix、0.46%和31.59,表现为低酸、降酸早、固酸比值高,比对照提早15 d成熟。蔗糖和柠檬酸的合成、降解、转运相关基因的表达分析结果表明,早熟突变体蔗糖合成多、转运早,柠檬酸合成少、降解快、贮运少,与果实品质表现低酸、降酸早、固酸比高基本吻合。综上,辐射诱变突变体发生了植物性状、生物特性、DNA的...     

黄瓜果实苦味(Bt)基因的插入缺失(Indel)标记

为了筛选与黄瓜果实苦味(Bt)基因紧密连锁的插入缺失(Indel)标记,本研究以黄瓜(Cucumis sativusL.)果实苦味和果实不苦的高代纯合自交系46GBt和931为亲本构建的F2分离群体为试材,明确了黄瓜果实苦味性状遗传是符合单显性基因控制的质量性状.同时在完成Bt基因初步定位和双亲重测序的基础上,利用生物信息学分析双亲在初步定位区域的序列差异,设计了7对InDel标记.通过对含有184个单株的F2群体分析,获得了与Bt基因连锁距离为0.8 cM的Indel标记Bt-InDel-1.利用不同于本研究且包含58个单株的黄瓜F2群体材料对Bt-InDel-1的验证分析表明,该标记检测的正确率达到94.8％.本研究结果可用于无苦味黄瓜的分子标记辅助选择(MAS)育种及Bt基因精细定位.     

苹果α-法尼烯合酶基因的启动子序列及同源基因

本文通过设计引物进行PCR扩增α-法尼烯合酶(AFS)基因的5'端区段并测序,获得510bp的‘国光’苹果AFS基因启动子和5'端非翻译区(5'UTR)序列,已在GenBank注册(登录号FJ263961)。序列分析结果表明,该序列具有典型的启动子特征,在转录起始点上游-46bp处有一个TATA盒,-93bp处有一个CAAT盒,-84bp处有一个W盒和-436bp处有一个热胁迫反应顺式作用元件GAAATTTTTT。与‘皇家嘎拉’苹果的AFS基因启动子序列(GenBank登录号AY786553.1)比对,本研究发现‘国光’苹果AFS基因启动子序列中有6个碱基(-186T,-207T,-283C,-301A,-413A和-433A)发生变异,‘皇家嘎拉’苹果AFS基因启动子序列相应位置的碱基分别为碱基缺失、-206C、-282G、-300G、-412G和-432G。重要的是,其中‘国光’苹果-413A碱基变异为G发生在一个热胁迫反应顺式作用元件GAAATTTTTT中,苹果虎皮病发生和AFS基因的转录表达是否受到这一碱基变异的影响值得进一步探讨。本研究结果还表明,在苹果AFS基因启动子和5'UTR序列中存在一个正向...     

基于SSR标记的鸢尾杂交和诱变育种材料遗传多样性分析

为加快路易斯安那鸢尾育种的进程,以5个路易斯安那鸢尾品种为试验材料,开展杂交和⁶⁰Co-γ辐射诱变育种。基于短茎鸢尾和暗黄鸢尾的基于表达序列(EST)开发的微卫星标记(SSR)标记,选择其中14对SSR标记用于路易斯安那鸢尾品种、杂交后代和诱变材料共40份材料的遗传多样性分析。结果表明,5个路易斯安那鸢尾品种的杂交后代均与母本的遗传差异小;而5个路易斯安那鸢尾品种经诱变后获得了与其亲本遗传差异大的诱变材料,5个品种的成活率均随着⁶⁰Co-γ辐射剂量的成倍增加而显著降低,不同品种在2.5、5、10、20和40 Gy剂量处理下成活率分别为20.77%~24.99%、13.33%~17.89%、10.11%~15.71%、3.33~10.14%和1.11%~2.77%,可通过组培快繁观测其表型性状。本研究利用路易斯安那鸢尾组培苗开展⁶⁰Co-γ辐射诱变育种,并筛选出10对适用于路易斯安那鸢尾品种、杂交后代和诱变材料的SSR标记,可为路易斯安那鸢尾杂交育种、辐射诱变育种和基于SSR标记的种质鉴定提供理论依据。     

分子标记转育3个基因改良空育131稻瘟病抗性

为改良空育131的稻瘟病抗性,通过杂交和分子标记辅助选择技术将中金23的Pi-1、Pi-2和Pi-33稻瘟病抗性基因导入到受体亲本空育131中,并通过连续回交结合农艺性状筛选,获得了28个含有不同抗稻瘟病基因的空育131导入系,其中同时含有Pi-1、Pi-2和Pi-33这3个抗性基因的株系k165、k166和k191对稻瘟病的抗病频率均达到了98.4%,明显高于携带1个和2个抗性基因的株系,且k165的综合农艺性状已接近空育131,表明通过分子标记辅助选择聚合稻瘟病抗性基因是开展品种抗性定向改良的有效方法之一。     

苹果果实中毒死蜱残留的品种间差异及套袋对毒死蜱残留的影响

为探讨苹果果实中毒死蜱残留的品种间差异及套袋对其残留的影响作用,采用气相色谱法（GC-FPD）,研究了不同品种苹果果实中毒死蜱的残留动态以及套袋对苹果果实不同部位中毒死蜱残留的影响。结果表明,毒死蜱在苹果果实中的残留量存在着明显的品种差异,其中红富士属于高农药残留的品种,而嘎拉、红将军和83-1-70-3则属于低农药残留的品种。毒死蜱在苹果果实不同部位中的残留量表现出明显差异,果皮是毒死蜱残留的主要部位,其次是全果,果肉中的残留最少。套袋明显减少了毒死蜱在苹果果实中的残留量,不论处理浓度和取样时间如何,套袋苹果果实中毒死蜱的残留量比不套袋至少减少1/3。     

Carbohydrate and acid contents of Gala apples and Bartlett pears from regular and controlled atmosphere storage.

Gala apples and Bartlett pears were harvested over two crop seasons at different maturities and growing sources then stored in refrigerated storage alone and in controlled atmosphere storage (1% O(2) plus 1% CO(2) or 2% O(2) plus 3% CO(2)). Before and after storage of 45 or 90 days, the juice from the fruit was examined for carbohydrate and acid compositions and contents. For Gala apples, the type and length of storage had no significant effect on juice carbohydrate and acid contents and compositions, whereas the time of harvest greatly influenced both parameters. Storage atmosphere did not affect the carbohydrate and acid contents and compositions of Bartlett pear juice; however, the source of the fruit and subsequent amount of ripening did appear to significantly cause changes in the same parameters. The carbohydrate and acid compositions and contents of Gala apple juice were within the compositional range for worldwide apple juice. Bartlett pear juice contained significantly greater concentrations of citric acid than shown in previously published studies.     

基于主成分与聚类分析的苹果加工品质评价

为了探讨苹果品种间理化品质的差异,给选育新品种和苹果合理加工利用提供理论支持,采集了30个苹果品种为试材进行模式识别分析。该试验所用苹果在2011年8-10月份按照苹果可采成熟度(九成熟)在辽宁省兴城市国家种质资源圃进行采集。试验测定了单果质量、体积、密度、果皮颜色、硬度、糖酸比、维生素C等20项理化品质指标,采用描述性统计、主成分和聚类分析方法对苹果品种和品质关系进行了分析。结果显示,30个品种苹果的密度、果型指数和含水率3项指标未表现出差异。对剩余17项品质指标进行了主成分分析,依据主成分解释总变量和碎石图提取了6个主成分反映原变量的82.3%的信息。第一主成分主要综合了可滴定酸、糖酸比及固酸比的信息即口尝品质因子;第二主成分主要综合了L值,a值和b值的信息,命名为颜色因子;其余主成分依次为甜度因子、质构因子、内在品质因子和果个大小因子。结合主成分得分图直观地显示了苹果品种和理化指标间关系:辽伏、理想、早金冠和瑞光分布在PC1和PC2的正向区间,糖酸比和固酸比值较大、口感好,但是果皮颜色较绿,是品质较好的早熟苹果;寒富、赤阳和红富士依次落在PC1和PC2第四区间,食用品质好、果皮颜色较红,是较为常见的晚熟苹果。分布在第二区间的普利阿姆,白星,Pvma果皮颜色绿且口感酸涩,不适宜鲜食,这些品种可能较为适宜进行加工。第三区间品种固酸比、甜酸比取值较小但是果皮颜色红,为选育果皮颜色受消费者喜爱且内在品质好的早熟品种提供了理论支持。聚类分析将30个品种苹果分为5类,聚类结果与主成分得分图结果基本一致,该试验初步判定30个品种苹果是否适宜鲜食,为苹果品种选育和加工应用利用提供理论依据。     

施氮水平对富士苹果果实钙形态及品质的影响

  【目的】   钙是影响苹果果实品质最重要的元素之一,施氮量影响树体对钙的吸收。探究不同施氮量对果实品质、钙形态以及二者之间的关系的影响,以期为通过科学施肥改善苹果果实品质提供参考。   【方法】   本研究选择5年生盆栽富士 (基砧为组培山定子,中间砧为SH38) 为试材,共设6个施氮水平:0 (N₀)、50 (N₅₀)、100 (N₁₀₀)、200 (N₂₀₀)、300 (N₃₀₀) 和400 (N₄₀₀) kg/hm2,各处理施钙量相同,均施Ca 200 kg/hm2。从花后7天开始,每7天施1次肥,共施3次。于果实成熟期采样,测定果实横纵径、果皮色泽、果实硬度、可溶性固形物、可滴定酸、可溶性糖、维生素C含量等果实品质指标,以及果实总钙含量和不同形态钙含量。   【结果】   施氮可增加果实总钙含量,N₂₀₀处理总钙含量显著高于其它处理,比N₀处理增加了73.47%。随施氮量的增加,果实中不同形态钙的组成比例发生了变化,水溶性钙比例整体呈上升趋势,果胶酸钙比例变化趋势不明显,磷酸钙比例呈先下降后升高趋势。N₂₀₀处理的果形指数、果皮亮度、红绿色差、可溶性固形物、可溶性糖和维生素C含量比N₀处理分别增加了4.46%、41.07%、67.12%、27.02%、26.71%和38.08%,可滴定酸含量降低了22.49%。总钙含量与果形指数、果皮亮度、红绿色差、果实硬度、可溶性固形物、可溶性糖、维生素C含量等果实品质指标之间呈高度相关。通过广义线性模型 (GLM),建立了不同形态钙 (响应变量) 与果实品质指标 (预测变量) 之间的关系,经矫正的AIC模型检验,选出最佳拟合模型,并通过MuMIn程序包的dredge函数评估各形态钙对果实品质指标的影响程度及方式 (促进或抑制),发现各形态钙对不同果实品质指标影响程度不同。果胶酸钙对果形指数、黄蓝色差、果实硬度、可滴定酸、可溶性糖、维生素C的影响位居首位,水溶性钙对果皮亮度、红绿色差和可溶性固形物的影响位居首位;果胶酸钙对各项品质指标均起促进作用,水溶性钙、磷酸钙和草酸钙对不同品质指标影响方式不一。   【结论】   施氮可增加果实中总钙含量,改变各形态钙的组成比例。施氮量为200 kg/hm2时,果实中总钙含量最高,对果实品质指标影响最大的钙形态是果胶酸钙和水溶性钙,果胶酸钙对果实各项品质指标均起促进作用。     

DRIS Use on Apple Orchard Nutritional Evaluation in Response to Potassium Fertilization

Abstract

The aim of this work was to use the diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) method to evaluate the nutritional status of an apple orchard, cv. Gala/MM106, at Vacaria, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Treatments consisted of four levels of annual maintenance potassium fertilization. Data on fruit production and fruit pellicle color were restored from 1995 to 2000, as well as the data on leaf macro and micro-nutrient concentrations. The DRIS indices and nutritional balance index (NBI) for each nutrient were determined using three methods: Beaufils, Jones, and Elwali and Gascho. The results showed that (i) the NBI, calculated from the generated norms, were negatively correlated negative correlated with productivity and fruit coloration, and (ii) the DRIS method, described by Elwali and Gascho and using the F value, was the most suitable for apple tree orchards, because the NBI values obtained with this method best indicated the nutritional status of the plants and provided a more accurate nutritional diagnosis.     

花叶性状在油菜杂交种纯度控制中的应用

为了将花叶性状转入到甘蓝型油菜隐性上位互作核不育系统中用于控制杂交种的纯度,在油菜隐性上位互作核不育纯合不育株与花叶型油菜品系羽叶87的杂交后代中,利用2个与育性基因连锁的分子标记辅助筛选两型系和临保系基因型单株,获得具有花叶性状的两型系和临保系。结果表明,可通过F_2世代选育法、系谱法和回交法3种途径选育花叶两型系和花叶临保系;在花叶两型系和花叶临保系的繁殖以及花叶全不育系的配制过程中,可通过去除非花叶杂株来确保纯度。因此,花叶性状作为一个理想的形态标记,可以应用于油菜的杂种生产来控制种子的纯度。本研究结果为杂交种的纯度控制提供了一条简捷且有效的途径。     

Midsummer copper sprays have no effect on ‘delicious’ apple fruit color grade or typiness

Recent reports suggested that multiple midsummer copper (Cu) sprays could improve the proportion of apple fruit (Malus × domestica Borkh.) being packed in the reddest market color grades. We conducted a three‐year field experiment in a low‐Cu orchard with a history of poor fruit coloring. We applied multiple mid‐summer sprays of Cu sulfate and basic Cu sulfate in 1994 and 1995 to ‘Bisbee Delicious’ and ‘Oregon Spur II Delicious’ apple trees. Plant tissue nutrient levels, fruit color grade, and fruit typiness were evaluated in the years of application and the following year. The Cu sprays increased leaf Cu in the years of application; however, leaf Cu in the Cu‐sprayed plots returned to or very near to background concentrations in the year after sprays were terminated. The Cu treatments did not increase the proportion of fruit in the reddest market color grades or influence five fruit typiness indices of either apple cultivar. Although midsummer Cu sprays may not enhance apple fruit red color or typiness, they may be useful for increasing overall tree Cu status, particularly for long‐season cultivars which are harvested too late for postharvest sprays to be effective.     

Piceid (resveratrol glucoside) synthesis in stilbene synthase transgenic apple fruit

A stilbene synthase gene along with the selectable marker gene bar for herbicide resistance was transferred via Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation into apple (Malus domesticaBorkh.) cvs. 'Elstar' and 'Holsteiner Cox'. The stilbene synthase catalyzes the conversion of 1 molecule of p-coumaroyl-CoA and 3 molecules of malonyl-CoA into 3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene, commonly known as resveratrol. This phytoalexin has implications in both phytopathology and human health. Greenhouse-grown transgenic and nontransformed control plants were grafted onto dwarfing rootstock M27. Flowering and fruiting occurred within the following years, offering the opportunity to analyze transgenic apple fruit and fertility of transgenic plants as well as inheritance of the transgenes into the seedling progeny. Molecular analysis revealed that the stilbene synthase is expressed in transgenic plants and in the skin and flesh of transgenic apple fruit. After formation, resveratrol is modified by the addition of a hexose sugar. The resulting component was characterized as piceid. With the aim of characterizing the influence of the novel biosynthetic pathway on the accumulation of other phenolic compounds naturally present in apple fruit, the amounts of flavanols, flavonols, phloretin derivatives and hydroxycinnamic acids in wild type and transgenic fruit were determined by HPLC. In all investigated transformed lines that accumulated piceid, no negative correlation between levels of piceid and the above-mentioned compounds was observed, except for the flavonol contents, which slightly decreased. Inheritance of the transgenes was confirmed in the seedling progeny, which were obtained after pollination of transgenic plants with nontransgenic pollen and vice versa after pollination of nontransgenic plants with pollen obtained from transgenic plants. The fertility of stilbene synthase transgenic plants was demonstrated. To the authors' knowledge this is the first time that data are available on piceid synthesis in transgenic apple fruit and the effects of its accumulation on levels of other phenolic compounds present in the fruit.     

Nitrogen and Potassium Fertilization Affect Apple Fruit Quality in Southern Brazil

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) are usually found in higher concentrations than other macronutrients in apple (Malus x domestica Borkh) fruits and are most frequently associated with changes in fruit quality. The aim of this article was to evaluate the effects of N and K fertilization on some fruit quality attributes of Fuji apple. The experiment was conducted at São Joaquim, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, during 2004 and 2005. A factorial design was used with N and K annual fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100, and 200 kg ha^?1 of N and K₂O) replicated in three orchards. Fifteen days prior to harvest, three fruit samples were collected from each treatment and site. One sample was used for total soluble solid content (TSS), titratable acidity, pulp firmness, and fruit color parameter analyses, and the other samples were refrigerated in a conventional atmosphere for 3 and 6 months for subsequent determination of fruit quality. Nitrogen fertilization negatively affected fruit color, flesh firmness, and TSS content. These same variables were positively affected by K fertilization, except for flesh firmness.