Controlled Atmosphere Storage of Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus L.)

Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) variety 'English Morello' fruits were stored for up to 20 days at 2°C in air or controlled atmosphere (CA) consisting of 25% CO₂+10% O₂, 15% CO₂+10% O₂, or 5% CO₂+10% O₂. The effects were compared on decay, juice optical density, titratable acidity, pH, soluble solids content and firmness. CA treatment has a great potential for sour cherry storage in maintaining quality and in extending the length of the storage period. The study has indicated that the decay of sour cherry can be greatly reduced by 25% CO₂. High CO₂ concentration gave the best retention of red colour and titratable acidity throughout the storage period. Fruit juice optical density and firmness increased with storage time. Fruits stored in 25% CO₂+10% O₂ had higher soluble solids content compared with fruits stored in air.     

Effect of ripeness and postharvest storage on the phenolic profiles of Cherries (Prunus avium L.)

The phenolic compounds hydroxycinnamates, anthocyanins, flavonols, and flavan-3-ols of sweet cherry cultivars Burlat, Saco, Summit, and Van harvested in 2001 and 2002 were quantified by HPLC-DAD. Phenolics were analyzed at partially ripe and ripe stages and during storage at 15 +/- 5 degrees C (room temperature) and 1-2 degrees C (cool temperature). Neochlorogenic and p-coumaroylquinic acids were the main hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, but chlorogenic acid was also identified in all cultivars. The 3-glucoside and 3-rutinoside of cyanidin were the major anthocyanins. Peonidin and pelargonidin 3-rutinosides were the minor anthocyanins, and peonidin 3-glucoside was also present in cvs. Burlat and Van. Epicatechin was the main monomeric flavan-3-ol with catechin present in smaller amounts in all cultivars. The flavonol rutin was also detected. Cultivar Saco contained the highest amounts of phenolics [227 mg/100 g of fresh weight (fw)] and cv. Van the lowest (124 mg/100 g of fw). Phenolic acid contents generally decreased with storage at 1-2 degrees C and increased with storage at 15 +/- 5 degrees C. Anthocyanin levels increased at both storage temperatures. In cv. Van the anthocyanins increased up to 5-fold during storage at 15 +/- 5 degrees C (from 47 to 230 mg/100 g of fw). Flavonol and flavan-3-ol contents remained quite constant. For all cultivars the levels of phenolic acids were higher in 2001 and the anthocyanin levels were higher in 2002, which suggest a significant influence of climatic conditions on these compounds.     

Chloroplast DNA study in sweet cherry cultivars (Prunus avium L.) using PCR-RFLP method

The chloroplast DNA of 96 sweet cherry cultivars (Prunus avium L.) and five cultivars of sour cherry (P. cerasus L.) were analysed to reveal their haplotypes using PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) method. The main advantages of the PCR-RFLP technique are: resolutive, time and cost effective and reproducible. Approximately 9.6% of the chloroplast genome was analysed, using six universal primer pairs and two restriction enzymes. All the mutations detected were insertion-deletions, ranging between 5–30 bp. The combination of all the mutations resulted in three haplotypes (H1, H2 and H3) in the 96 sweet cherry cultivars and a single haplotype (H4) in the five cultivars of sour cherry. The cpDNA polymorphism determined by PCR-RFLP markers helped to understand the maternal inheritance of chloroplast genome in sweet cherry, clearly distinguished the sour from the sweet cherry, and supported that P. avium is not the maternal species of P. cerasus.     

In vitro bioavailability of phenolic compounds from five cultivars of frozen sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.)

The bioavailability of phenolic compounds from five cultivars of frozen sweet cherries was assessed by a digestion process involving pepsin-HCl digestion (to simulate gastric digestion) and pancreatin digestion with bile salts (to simulate small intestine conditions) and dialyzed to assess serum- and colon-available fractions. After pepsin digestion, the % recovery of total phenolics, relative to the original starting material, increased, whereas the % anthocyanins did not change. Following pancreatic digestion and dialysis, the total phenolics in the IN (serum-available) fraction was about 26-30% and the OUT (colon-available) fraction was about 77-101%. The anthocyanin content in the IN fraction was 15-21%, and in the OUT fraction, it was 52-67%. Skeena, Lapins, and Sweetheart cultivars contained higher levels of total phenolics and anthocyanins, which resulted in higher concentrations of these compounds in the IN and OUT fractions. The potential bioavailability of phenolic compounds was also assessed in Bing and Lapins cultivars at three ripening stages. Immature cherries had higher % total phenolics in the IN fraction than mature or overmature cherries. However, immature cherries had the lowest concentrations of these compounds, making the actual bioavailable amounts of these compounds lower than for mature and overmature fruit. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of Lapins cherries at three maturity stages confirmed the results obtained using spectrophotometric methods for total phenolics and anthocyanins.     

Molecular evaluation of genetic diversity and S-allele composition of local Spanish sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivars

A group of 28 sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) local cultivars from the Jerte Valley in Western Spain were fingerprinted using microsatellites and their self-incompatibility alleles determined using S-RNase conserved primers. A total of 12 microsatellite primer pairs revealed 42 informative alleles that allowed the unequivocal identification of 26 genotypes. UPGMA cluster analysis of the similarity data produced a clear separation between the old traditional cultivars and the most recent introductions. The S-allele analysis showed a low number of different alleles in the older cultivars studied and revealed the presence of three new S-alleles not described previously. The combined information obtained from SSR fingerprinting and S-allele identification will be useful to optimize the conservation of the cherry genetic resources present in the area. Moreover, this approach can be applied to optimize the conservation of local genetic resources of other fruit tree species.     

Effect of leonardite application on leaf nutrient content and fruit chemical parameters of cherry (Prunus avium L.)

Abstract

Organic fertilizers have an important role in plant nutrition practices by protecting the environment, human health, ecological balance and supporting sustainable productivity. Hence, the use of leonardite which has high humic acid content is becoming increasingly common. Objectives of the study were to examine the effects of leonardite application on leaf nutrient contents and some fruit chemical parameters (pH, total soluble solids, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity) of cherry (Prunus avium L.). Cherry Ziraat 900 was used as a test plant and grafted on a Gisela 6 rootstock. The research was carried out in a randomized block design with three replications and 12 parcels. The 10-year-old orchard was chosen as the research area with having planting space of 5.0?m × 2.5?m. Each parcel consists of 25 trees. Four different doses (0-2-4-8?kg tree^?1) were applied to drip lines of trees at a depth of 20?cm. Chemical fertilizers (N-P-K) were also added. The effect of the applications in the research has a statistically significant effect on all parameters analyzed in leaves and fruits except for Mg in leaves. In addition, as the dose of leonardite is increased, its effect was also increased and the results appeared in different groups due to the increase of ionization, mobility and adsorption of chemical fertilizers applied in the research. Nutrient absorption was increased because of the increased permeability of stem cell membrane by leonardite applications. Consequently, nutrient levels in the leaves were sufficient and/or excessive and fruit contents were found optimum.     

The effect of potassium soil amendments,trenching and foliar sprays on the mineral content,growth, yield and fruit quality of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) and prune (Prunus domestica L.)

Abstract

Potassium sulfate was applied to established, non‐irrigated, K deficient trees on fine textured soil by banding, placing in augered holes and injecting into the soil. Additional trees received a heavy compost mulch in early fall. Trenches were dug in the fall beside trees to break roots and then were backfilled with K₂SO₄, dolomite lime or a combination of the two. One percent K solutions of KNO₃ or K₂SO₄ were sprayed on trees four times during the growth season.

Sweet cherry trees only responded to compost mulch applications within two years. August midshoot leaf K, leaf N and fruit size were increased within one year however tree growth and yield were not affected. Fruit size and shoot growth were partially dependent on August leaf K level.

August midshoot leaf K of prune trees was increased within one growing season by all treatments except trench plus lime. Trees receiving compost also had increased levels of leaf N, P, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu and B. Yield and shoot growth were increased only by compost mulch applications. Fruit size was partially dependent on August leaf K levels.     

热水结合维生素C处理对甜樱桃果实褐变的控制研究

在预试验基础上,甜樱桃果实采用42℃热水及42℃热水添加0.1%维生素C各处理10 min,在0±0.5℃,相对湿度为85%~90%的条件下贮藏18 d后,再置于24±1℃,相对湿度为65%~70%条件下存放2 d,对果实的褐变参数及相关酶活性进行检测。结果表明,热水处理明显抑制甜樱桃果实L^*和H⁰值的下降及苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)、多酚氧化酶(PPO)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性的上升。热水添加维生素C处理强化了这一抑制效果。贮藏后,热水和热水添加维生素C处理的果实感官综合评分分别为6.9和7.5,而对照仅为5.7。相关分析表明,感官综合评分与L^*、b^*和H⁰呈显著正相关,与a^*、PPO和POD活性呈显著负相关(P<0.05)。     

Identification of sweet cherry cultivars (Prunus avium L.) and analysis of their genetic relationships by chloroplast sequence-characterised amplified regions (cpSCAR)

Ten cpSCAR markers that show polymorphism in Prunus avium were used to fingerprint sweet cherry cultivars. The purpose of the study was also to contribute to identification and to help determine their genetic interrelationships. Samples of ‘0900 Ziraat’, a superior Turkish variety, which were collected in several locations all over Turkey, had identical cpSCAR patterns, and they resembled a common European haplotype, A. ‘Sweetheart’, ‘Summit’ and ‘Canada Giant’ and their haplotype are intermediate between the previously described haplotypes A and B, which were originally found in Central and Eastern European sweet and wild cherries, and those from Northern Turkey, respectively. The data therefore suggests a local maternal descent (within Europe and Asia Minor) of the cultivars analysed. Our results show that chloroplast DNA analysis is a straightforward way to classify cherry cultivars. We compare our results to others previously reported for sweet cherry cultivars, and conclude that cpSCAR diversity data could be considered for phylogenetic studies in this group.     

Water uptake through sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) fruit pedicels: Influence of fruit surface water status and intact fruit skin

A modified potometer consisting of a water-filled glass tube mounted in parallel with a metric scale and connected to a fruit was used to study water uptake into detached fruits of sweet cherry. Results describing quantities of imported water from some introductory studies were in the same range as in previously published studies conducted with alternative methods. Water uptake was measured in fruits of four cultivars kept in air of approximately 50±5% RH followed by immersion in water 1–2 h into the experimental period. This caused a significant decrease in water uptake. However, the fruits continued to accumulate water at a reduced rate. When the fruits were dried, the water uptake immediately increased to the same level as before the immersion in water. The fruit skin of two cultivars was exposed to normal air after being ruptured with four shallow cuts to simulate cuticular fractures or shallow cracks. These two treatments did not give statistically different water uptake through the pedicel, although there was a tendency to an increased rate of water uptake in fruits with ruptured fruit skin.     

Molecular Characterization of Local Spanish Peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] Germplasm

A collection of 85 local Spanish peach cultivars has been studied with SSR markers. To carry out this work 42 SSRs previously developed in peach were screened to select the microsatellite loci that presented high polymorphism and that were easier to score in high resolution agarose gels. Ten SSRs were selected to identify the peach cultivars and to estimate the genetic similarity among them. The selected microsatellites resulted in the amplification of 35 fragments in the 85 genotypes studied, differentiating 46 genotypic profiles, from which 31 correspond to unique cultivars. The rest of the profiles correspond to groups of two to five cultivars and one group of 17 undistinguishable cultivars. The genetic similarity estimated from the molecular data clearly separated the flat and most of the white-fleshed peaches from the rest of genotypes that are mostly yellow non-melting local peaches. The results obtained in this work will help to improve the conservation and management of local Spanish peach germplasm allowing the establishment of core collections that represent most of the diversity conserved.     

The effects of pressure trunk injections of potassium on the mineral content,growth, yield and fruit quality of sweet cherry (Prunus avlum L.) and mineral content of prune (Prunus domestica L.)

Abstract

Fall trunk injections of 200 g K in K₂SO₄ solution or up to 300 g K in K₂HPO₄ solution had no effect on sweet cherry mid‐shoot leaf K in August. Phosphorus content was significantly increased in buds in March and midshoot leaves in August one year by fall injection of K₂HPO₄ (79.2 g P).

Spring trunk injections of 12.5 g K (K₂S04 or K₂HPO₄) in prune increased leaf K within four days and K levels remained higher than controls for at least 22 days with K₂SO₄ Leaf P was increased within four days by K₂HPO₄ and was higher than controls in August.

Fruit set in sweet cherry was significantly lower on trees injected with 200 g K (K₂S0₄) and 300 g K (K₂HPO₄). Yield was significantly lower for all injection treatments and was probably caused at least in part by reduced fruit set. Fruit quality was not affected by K injections.     

Effect of Poultry Manure on Yield and Nutrient Composition of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

Poultry manure is one of the best organic fertilizers available and is an extremely valuable resource, organic matter content, exchangeable cations, cation exchange capacity, and percent base saturation. Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) is an essential oil producing crop used in culinary and fragrance applications. The objective of this present study was to evaluate the effects of organic poultry manure and conventional fertilization on plant growth, yield and inorganic matter content of sweet basil. In this context, the different doses of chicken and turkey manure (7.5, 10, 12.5, 15 t ha^?1) with a control (no manure) and conventional fertilization were applied with sowing. The highest fresh and dry weights were obtained from the plants grown with turkey and chicken manure at a rate of 10–12.5 t ha^?1. The most of the nutrient content varied significantly with organic poultry manure applications. Overall, basil plants fertilized with turkey manure at a rate of 10–12.5 t ha^?1 and 7.5 t ha^?1 chicken manure dose accumulated greater concentrations of potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg). The results from this study demonstrated that organic or conventional fertilizer can alter fresh or dry weight, and the nutrient content.     

Bean Quality Traits and Sensory Evaluation of Wild Guianan Cocoa Populations (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Theobroma cacao</Emphasis> L.)

Naturalized cocoa populations originating from the Oyapok and Tanpok basins in French Guiana were studied for their technological characters (bean count, fat content, purine content) and sensory characters (overall aroma intensity, cocoa flavour, acidity, bitterness, astringency, fruity or floral tastes, aftertaste, etc.), along with three controls (Amelonado and Ecuadorian varieties). The bean count in Guianan cocoa was higher than that of the controls, but it generally remained acceptable (below 100). Caffeine content was much higher than that of the Amelonado control. The overall aroma intensity and cocoa flavour of the chocolates made with the dry cocoa beans from Guianan trees were statistically superior to those of the industrial reference, the West African Amelonado. The other criteria studied, particularly the fat content, did not reveal any significant differences from the controls. An erratum to this article is available at .     

铜胺氧化酶基因PpCuAO4在桃成熟中的功能鉴定

为明确铜胺氧化酶(CuAO)在桃果实成熟过程中的作用,分别采用1.0、5.0和10.0 mmol·L^-1的CuAO抑制剂氨基胍(AG)对黄水蜜桃果实进行喷施处理,并于桃果实成熟后测定果实硬度。结果表明,5 mmol·L^-1 AG处理组桃果实的硬度保持效果最好。进一步采用5.0 mmol·L^-1 AG处理黄水蜜桃果实,并测定果实成熟相关生理指标。结果表明,AG处理下桃果实在采后7 d内果实硬度均显著高于对照水平,乙烯释放量和呼吸强度均显著低于对照水平,表明抑制CuAO介导的多胺分解可显著延缓桃果实成熟。AG处理显著抑制乙烯合成、生长素转运和细胞壁降解相关基因PpACO1、PpACS、PpPIN1、PpGH3.3、PpPG和PpPME1的表达水平。为进一步明确CuAO在桃成熟中的功能,利用病毒诱导的基因沉默(VIGS)技术沉默腐胺(Put)分解关键基因PpCuAO4。结果显示,转基因桃果实PpCuAO4表达水平仅为对照的18%,Put含量和果实硬度显著高于对照水平,而乙烯释放量和呼吸强度均显著低于对照水平。上述结果表明,PpCuAO4介导的Put分解可以促进桃果实成熟。本研究为进一步深入解析多胺(polyamine)调控桃果实成熟的机制提供了重要的理论依据。     

Level and Transmission of Genetic Heterozygosity in Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Explored Using Simple Sequence Repeat Markers

In this study, 17 peach simple sequence repeat (SSR) sequences were used in the exploration of the genetic heterozygosity level of several apricot cultivars from Spain, France, Greece, and the USA, and 23 descendants. The genotypes can be classified in three groups as a function of their genetic heterozygosity (1) local cultivars from Murcia (Spain) (‘Gitanos’ and ‘Pepito del Rubio’) and several descendants from crosses among these cultivars, with very low genetic heterozygosities (less than 0.30); (2) cultivars from France and Spain (‘Moniquí’, ‘Currot’ and ‘Bergeron’) and several descendants, with intermediate levels of genetic heterozygosity (around 0.45); and (3) cultivars ‘Orange Red’ and ‘Goldrich’ from North America and ‘Lito’ from Greece, with the remaining descendants, having genetic heterozygosities higher than 0.50. The results showed the high increase of genetic heterozygosity in the case of descendants from complementary crosses. The use of cultivars from North America could increase greatly the genetic heterozygosity in the Spanish apricot breeding programs, enlarging the genetic variability of the local cultivars. On the other hand, in the case of transgressive crosses among local Spanish cultivars, the increase of genetic heterozygosity was much lower.     

Preliminary Evaluation of Seaweed Application Effects on Soil Quality and Yield of Sweet Corn (Zea mays L.)

The practice of applying seaweed to agricultural fields may provide plant nutrients and improve soil quality in coastal agroecosystems, but little is known about its effects on soil properties or crop production. We conducted a preliminary evaluation of changes in soil biological and chemical properties and sweet corn (Zea mays L.) production using seaweed as a partial source of nitrogen (N) (40–55%) for one growing season, using a preformulated organic fertilizer treatment for comparison. Soil electrical conductivity, potassium (K⁺), sulfate (SO₄^2-), and active carbon (C) increased with seaweed addition relative to the organic fertilizer, whereas potentially mineralizable N and pH decreased, with effects varying over time. Sweet corn yield and quality were either equivalent to that with the organic fertilizer or improved. The short-term positive (e.g., increased active C) and negative (e.g., increased salt levels) effects on soil quality suggest further evaluation of this practice is justified.     

紫云英翻压对水田土壤可溶性有机氮及生化性质的影响

以亚热带红泥砂田为研究对象,在15℃和25℃条件下,利用淹水培养法模拟水田土壤紫云英翻压还田,研究其对土壤可溶性有机氮(SON)、酶活性及微生物量碳、氮的影响。结果表明:15℃和25℃条件下翻压紫云英后土壤SON含量总体呈先上升后下降并趋于平稳的变化规律,分别于培养15 d和10 d达到峰值,比未翻压紫云英处理提高138.11%和84.20%。两种温度条件下翻压紫云英均显著提高土壤SON含量、脲酶、蛋白酶和谷氨酰胺酶活性以及微生物量碳和氮。土壤SON含量与脲酶、蛋白酶、谷氨酰胺酶、微生物量碳和氮呈显著或极显著正相关。翻压紫云英后水田土壤SON的迁移及其环境风险应引起充分关注。     

甘薯不同氯离子测定方法的比较研究

采用加标回收率的方法,分析并比较了硝酸银滴定法、紫外分光光度法和自动电位滴定法测定甘薯(Ipomoea batatas L.)幼苗Cl-含量的结果,并初步探明不同甘薯品种地上部和根系C1-吸收和分布规律.结果表明:(1)硝酸银滴定法重复性差且难以判断滴定终点;紫外分光光度法测定Cl-回收率低(52.9％～81.4％),且受样品浸提液颜色影响;自动电位滴定法Cl-回收率为93.9％～105.5％,相对标准偏差(RSD)为0.6％～ 6.0％,该方法操作简单、重复性好且精确度高,因此是测定甘薯氯含量的最佳方法;(2)利用自动电位滴定法测定不同甘薯品种Cl-积累和分布,结果显示:甘薯幼苗地上部Cl-含量为0.067～0.096 mmol g-1DW,根系Cl-含量为0.038～0.087 mmol g-1 DW,品种间甘薯幼苗地上部和根系Cl-含量皆存在显著差异.不同品种向地上部转运Cl-选择性比率均大于1.0,表明Cl-向地上部聚集,以菜用型福薯7-6比率最高,紫心型徐紫20-1和浙紫1号次之,淀粉型泉薯9号最低.     

Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet – diversity, potential use and determination of a core collection of this multi-purpose tropical legume

Two germplasm collections of Lablab purpureus L. Sweet totalling 249 accessions were grown in the field in Australia and Ethiopia and characterised using a common set of morphological and agronomic (M-A) attributes. Data from each site were analysed separately using multi-variate analysis and a classification constructed for each collection. There was considerable diversity within both collections, especially that maintained in Ethiopia. Time to flowering, seed weight, and plant height were the most important attributes in determining group allocation in both classifications. Both collections had a high proportion of L. purpureus subsp. purpureus, especially accessions similar to the Australian cultivars Highworth and Rongai. They also had good representation of the less common L. purpureus subsp. uncinatus Verdc. less common landraces and wild collections from either Africa or India. When combined, the two classifications provided an overview of diversity and highlighted the similarities and dissimilarities between the two collections. The vast range in plant types supported the view that lablab has the capacity to be a multi-purpose legume for both commercial and smallholder agriculture. Some important and less common germplasm identified were Ethiopian domesticated subsp. uncinatus, Ethiopian subsp. purpureus landraces collected from regional markets, semi-domesticated and wild accessions from southern Africa, and wild accessions from India. Using this overview, a core collection of germplasm was selected, which provides researchers with a sound basis for future plant breeding and agronomic studies with this important tropical legume.