石榴籽粒硬度特征及其相关生理指标研究

籽粒硬度是石榴果实品质的重要指标之一,探究石榴籽粒硬度特征及其相关生理指标,旨在为进一步的籽粒硬度形成与调控研究奠定基础。本研究建立了一套用TA.AX质构仪测定石榴籽粒硬度的体系,并对不同品种果实内不同着生部位籽粒的硬度进行了测定,发现果实内籽粒硬度普遍存在着异质性。通过籽粒硬度与木质素、纤维素含量的相关性研究,发现籽粒硬度与其木质素、纤维素含量显著相关,因此认为籽粒木质素、纤维素含量可作为评价石榴籽粒硬度的生理指标。尽管木质素含量可反映石榴籽粒硬度,但不同硬度籽粒的木质素染色后肉眼无法分辨,因此木质素染色法尚不能作为判断石榴籽粒硬度的直观方法。研究结果中籽粒硬度的异质性及籽粒硬度与木质素、纤维素间的相关性结果为后期籽粒硬度相关研究中的取样及代谢机制研究奠定了良好的基础。 

Characteristics of Seed Hardness and Its Relative Physiological Indexes in Pomegranate

Seed hardness is an important trait of pomegranate fruits.  Understanding  the  characteristics  of  seed  hardness and its relative physiological indexes for pomegranate can facilitate further studies on its formation and regulation. In this study, we established a  measurement  system  of  seed  hardness  using  TA.XT  texture  analyzer, then detected the hardness of the seeds at different loci for different cultivars. Results showed that the heterogeneity      of seed hardness existed generally. Studies on the relationship of  seed  hardness  with  lignin,  cellulose  contents  showed there was significantly positive correlation between them. So, it is considered that  lignin  and  cellulose  contents could be used as the physiological indexes representing seed hardness. Though lignin content could represent seed hardness, the difference of seeds having different hardness could not be detected by  the  naked  eyes  through  dying lignin. Therefore lignin dying could not be  used  as  the  intuitive  method  estimating  seed  hardness.  Results   on the heterogeneity existed in the pomegranate fruit and the correlation between seed hardness  and  lignin  and cellulose contents lay the vital foundation for the sampling and mechanism studies on the seed hardness.