Post-harvest heat treatments modify cell wall composition of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) fruit

‘Pájaro’ strawberry fruit were treated at 45 °C by hot air or hot water prior to storage at 3 °C for 10 days. Control fruit were stored without treatment. Modifications in cell wall composition and fruit quality caused by heat treatment were assessed after removal of fruit from storage. Treatment with hot water improved fruit resistance to fungal infection, but caused external damage, which rendered fruit commercially unacceptable. Hot air treatment did not affect external appearance, improved resistance to fungal infection and preserved firmness. Heat treatments did not affect cell wall yields obtained, but caused alterations in solubility of the different cell wall polysaccharide fractions. Higher yields for CDTA- and KOH-soluble fractions were observed as a consequence of treatment, suggesting decreased solubilization of cell wall polymers in treated fruit, even though no apparent relationship to fruit firmness was found. Higher degrees of esterification as well as total sugar contents in both CDTA- and KOH-soluble fractions were also found in heated fruit.     

Effect of plant growth temperature on membrane lipids in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)

Changes in membrane lipid composition are important in the acclimation of plants. The influence of four day/night growing temperature combinations (18/12, 25/12, 25/22, and 30/22 °C) on membrane lipids of ‘Earliglow’ and ‘Kent’ strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) were studied. The monogalactosyl diglyceride (MGDG) and digalactosyl diglyceride (DGDG) were the major galactolipids in the strawberry leaves. ‘Earliglow’ contained a higher amount of galactolipids in the leaves than ‘Kent’. The major phospholipids in the strawberry leaves, roots, and fruit were phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). PC and PE were the two predominant phospholipids in the strawberry. The leaves and fruit of ‘Earliglow’ contained higher amounts of phospholipids compared to those of ‘Kent’, whereas ‘Kent’ strawberry roots had higher phospholipids. Palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0), oleic (C18:1), linoleic (C18:2), and α-linolenic (C18:3) acids were major fatty acids in galacto- and phospholipids of the ‘Earliglow’ and ‘Kent’ strawberry. PC is very rich in linolenic acid in leaves compared to the fruit and root tissues. PC had the highest ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids among all phospholipids. There was a significant increase in the content of galactolipids (MGDG, DGDG) and phospholipids (PC, PI, PG and PE) and unsaturation of their fatty acids in the cool day/night growth temperature. Increasing day/night growth temperatures decreased MGDG/DGDG ratios. The shifts in saturation and composition of fatty acids observed with strawberry may be an adaptation response of plants to the temperature changes.     

Field performance characterization of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) plants derived from cryopreserved apices

This study compares agronomic traits of two cultivars of strawberry in plants derived from conventional propagation, micropropagation and cryopreserved apices. The agronomic traits evaluated were fruit production and fruit quality. Differences were found in some of the fruit production traits studied in the plants post-micropropagation and post-cryopreservation when compared to conventionally propagated plants of the cultivar ‘Andana’; showing the first two groups higher second class yield and smaller fruits. Plants of the cultivar ‘Camarosa’ post-cryopreservation showed differences in traits related to fruit quality when compared to the other two groups of plants (internal colour, firmness and soluble solids). No adverse effect on agronomic traits could be associated with the use of cryopreservation. Plants from in vitro and cryopreservation origin were phenotypically similar to the conventional propagated plants in production field.     

Fruit nutrient content and lipoxygenase activity in relation to the production of malformed and button berries in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)

Fruit nutrient content and lipoxygenase (LOX) activity were determined in strawberry fruit to establish a relationship, if it exists, between nutrients, and LOX activity with the fruit malformation and nubbins or button berry disorders. Nearly 17% fruit were affected by malformation and 10% by nubbins in open-field-grown strawberries. ‘Etna’ produced higher proportion of malformed (22.7%) as well as button berries (16.9%) and ‘Sweet Charlie’ the lowest (8.9% and 3.3%, respectively). Dry matter content (%) was lower in malformed (5.2%) and button berries (3.23%) than normal berries (7.41%). The concentration of P and Mg did not differ significantly, but that of N and K was notably higher and of Ca and B was lower in malformed and button berries than normal berries. Consequently, the N/Ca and K/Ca ratios were higher in malformed and button berries. LOX activity was significantly higher in malformed as well as button berries than normal berries, with significant differences among cultivars. The correlations between N, K and malformed and button berries were positive and between Ca and B, and malformed and button berries were negative. Similarly, the correlation between LOX activity and malformed, and button berries were also positive, indicating that excess of N and K, and deficiency of Ca and B are related to the production of malformed and buttons or nubbins in strawberry.     

Interactive effects of planting time and mulching on ‘Chandler’ strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)

Studies were conducted in ‘Chandler’ strawberry with the aim to optimize planting time and mulching material under the semi-arid region of north Indian plains. Three planting times viz., mid-September, mid-October and mid-November and three mulch materials viz., black polyethylene (50 μm), clear polyethylene (50 μm) and paddy straw (10 cm thickness) were tried with three replications in a split plot design. Mid-September planting favoured plant growth, enhanced flowering (77.3 days), which resulted in production of significantly larger fruit (13.0 g) and higher yield (174.4 g/plant) with fruit having higher TSS (9.23%), acidity (1.22%) and ascorbic acid content (44.1 mg/100 g of pulp) with lesser incidence of albinism (9.6%) and botrytis rot (8.1%) than other plantings. Plants mulched with black polyethylene have significantly better growth, and they flowered (80.2 days) and fruited early (29.2 days), and produced larger fruit (12.6 g) and higher yield (172.4 g/plant), with slightly higher incidence of albinism (20.1%), but with lower incidence of botrytis rot (7.3%) than those mulched either with clear polyethylene or paddy straw. Planting time × mulching interaction has significantly influenced plant growth; flowering and fruiting; fruit yield and quality, and albinism and botrytis rot. Plants have best growth parameters like, plant height (11.2 cm), crown spread (24.1 cm) and leaf area (87.9 cm²), they took lesser days to flowering (73.7 days) and fruiting (31.3 days), produced larger fruit (13.7 g) and higher yield (191.3 g/plant) with fruit having higher TSS (9.41%), acidity (1.17%) and higher ascorbic acid content (46.4 mg/100 g pulp) with a slightly higher incidence of albinism (10.3%), but comparatively lower incidence of botrytis rot (5.2%) when planted during mid-September and mulched with black polyethylene than other plantings and mulched either with clear polyethylene or paddy straw. These studies indicated that strawberry could be planted in mid-September with black polyethylene mulch under semi-arid regions of India for early fruiting, and higher yield of better quality fruits.     

Interaction of short day and timing of nitrogen fertilization on growth and flowering of ‘Korona’ strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)

The effects of timing of nitrogen (N) fertilization relative to the beginning of a 4-week floral-inducing short-day (SD) period have been studied in ‘Korona’ strawberry plants under controlled environment conditions. Groups of low fertility plants were fertilized with 100 ml of calcium nitrate solution for 3 days a week for a period of 3 weeks starting at various times before and at the beginning of the SD period, as well as at different times during the SD period. All plants, including SD and long day (LD) control plants, received a weekly fertilization with a low concentration complete fertilizer solution throughout the experiment. Leaf area, fresh and dry matter increments of leaves, crowns and roots, as well as leaf chlorophyll concentration (SPAD values) were monitored during the experimental period. A general enhancement of growth took place at all times of N fertilization. This was paralleled by an increase in leaf chlorophyll concentration, indicating that the control plants were in a mild state of N deficiency. When N fertilization was started 2 weeks before beginning of the SD period, flowering was delayed by 7 days, and this was gradually changed to an advancement of 8 days when the same treatment was started 3 weeks after the first SD. The amount of flowering was generally increased by N fertilization although the effect varied greatly with the time of N application. The greatest flowering enhancement occurred when N fertilization started 1 week after the first SD when the number of flowering crowns and the number of inflorescences per plant were more than doubled compared with the SD control, while fertilization 2 weeks before SD had no significant effect on these parameters. Importantly, the total number of crowns per plant was not affected by N fertilization at any time, indicating that enhancement of flowering was not due to an increase in potential inflorescence sites. No flowering took place in the control plants in LD. Possible physiological mechanisms involved and practical applications of the findings are discussed.     

Changes in carbohydrate contents in shoot tips,leaves and roots of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) during flower-bud differentiation

Flowering is an important step in crop production. Under flower-inducing conditions, biochemical or physiological changes can be recognized. Changes in carbohydrates have an important role in flower development in plants; however, carbohydrate changes during flower bud differentiation in strawberry have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, runner plants potted in 18 cm diameter pots and grown under non-inducing conditions (28 ± 3/22 ± 3 °C day/night; 16 h day length). When the plants were established, half of the plants then were put under inducing conditions (23 ± 3/13 ± 3 °C day/night; 8 h day length). After the induction period of 21 short-day cycles, plants were brought to non-inductive conditions again. In order to evaluate the carbohydrate changes during flower differentiation, shoot tips, leaves and roots were sampled from four replicated plants collected weekly for the period of 7 weeks. Sucrose, glucose and fructose contents were determined by HPLC, and starch by the anthrone method. The results obtained indicated that the most abundant soluble sugar in all organs tested was sucrose. Sucrose in the shoot tips of induced plants at 42, 56 and 70 days after the start of the short-day treatment were significantly higher than corresponding time in non-induced plants. However, the glucose, fructose and starch contents in shoot tips, leaves and roots of non-induced plants in most sampling dates were greater than those of induced plants. In other words, the shoot tips (bud) of induced plants acted as strong ‘utilizing sink’ and preferentially metabolized carbohydrates rather than storing them. It seems that non-structural carbohydrate contents in shoot tips, leaves and roots of strawberry may have an important role in flower-bud differentiation.     

Sequential foliar application of vermicompost leachates improves marketable fruit yield and quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of foliar application of vermicompost leachates on growth, yield and quality of strawberry (Cv. Chandler). For this, three leachates collected from vermicomposting of cow dung (FCD), vegetable waste (FVW) and mixture of cow dung and vegetable waste in 1:2 ratio (FCVW) were used at 2 ml l⁻¹ at monthly interval (total five sprays) in strawberry. The results indicated that foliar application of vermicompost leachates improved leaf area (10.1–18.9%), dry matter of plant (13.9–27.2%) and fruit yield (9.8–13.9%) significantly over control (water spray only). Foliar application of FCVW reduced albinism (from 12.1 to 5.7%), fruit malformation (11.2–8.5%) and grey mould (5.1–2.6%) thus improving marketable fruit yield (26.5% higher) with firmer fruits of better quality. The foliar application of FCD and FVW also improved these parameters and resulted in to higher marketable fruit yield (12.6 and 17.8% higher, respectively) compared to control. The study confirmed that leachates derived from composting processes have potential use as foliar fertilization for strawberry.     

Pre-harvest foliar application of calcium and boron influences physiological disorders,fruit yield and quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)

Studies were conducted in ‘Chandler’ strawberry to determine if pre-harvest foliar application of Ca, B or their combination influences physiological disorders, fruit yield and quality or not. For this, treatments consisted of (i) five sprays of calcium as CaCl₂ (first spray was performed at the petal fall stage and later at 7 days interval), (ii) three sprays of boron as boric acid (first spray at the beginning of flowering and later at 15 day interval), (iii) combination of (i) and (ii), and (iv) plants sprayed with water served as the control. Results indicated that fruit harvested from plants, which were sprayed either with Ca or Ca + B had significantly lesser incidence of albinism (6.7 and 6.5%), and grey mould (1.3 and 1.2%) than those harvested from plants sprayed either with B alone or in control. Although, B alone could not influence the incidence of albinism and grey mould, but it reduced fruit malformation (3.4 and 3.1%) significantly. Further, Ca, B or their combination had not influenced the individual berry weight, but marketable fruit yield differed significantly. The lowest marketable fruit yield (149.3 g/plant) was recorded in plants under control, and the highest (179.2 g/plant) in plants sprayed with Ca + B. Similarly, such fruit were firmer; had lower TSS, higher acidity and ascorbic acid content at harvest than those in control. Similarly, such fruit after 5 days storage were firmer and brighter, and have significantly lower TSS (7.9 and 7.8%); higher ascorbic acid content (43.7 and 45.0 mg/100 g pulp) and acidity (1.08 and 1.07%) than those in control or those receiving B alone. Incidence of grey mould was significantly lesser in fruit, which received Ca (2.2%) or Ca + B (1.9%) than those, which received either B (8.1%) alone or those in control (8.4%). Our studies indicated that pre-harvest foliar application of Ca + B is quite useful for reducing the incidence of disorders and getting higher marketable yield in ‘Chandler’ strawberry.     

Histone H4 gene expression and morphological changes on shoot apices of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) during floral induction

To investigate flower induction in June-bearing strawberry plants, morphological changes in shoot apices and Histone H4 expression in the central zone during flower initiation were observed. Strawberry plants were placed under flower inducible, short-day conditions (23 °C/17 °C, 10 h day length) for differing number of days (8, 16, 20, 24 or 32 days) and then these plants were transferred to non-inducible, long-day conditions (25 °C/20 °C, 14 h day length). The shoot apices of plants placed under short-day conditions for 8 days were flat, similar to shoot apices of plants in the vegetative phase of development, and Histone H4 was not expressed in the central zone during the experimental period. On the other hand, the shoot apices of plants placed under short-day conditions for 16 days remained flat, similar to shoot apices of plants placed under short-day conditions for 8 days, but Histone H4 was expressed in the central zone at the end of the short-day treatment. Morphological changes in the shoot apices of these plants were observed 8 days after the change in day-length. These plants developed differentiated flower organs after they were grown for another 30 days under long-day conditions. These results indicate that changes in the expression pattern of the Histone H4 gene occur before morphological changes during flower induction and that the expression of the gene in the central zone can be used as one of the indicators of the flowering process in strawberries.     

Gibberellic acid influences the production of malformed and button berries,and fruit yield and quality in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)

Experiments were conducted to observe the effects of foliar application of gibberellic acid on vegetative growth, flowering, fruiting and various disorders in ‘Chandler’ strawberry. GA₃ (75 ppm) was applied to the strawberry plants either during mid-November (at fruit bud differentiation stage), or mid-February (pre-flowering stage) or at both times. Fruit under control were sprayed with tap water only. Observations were recorded on vegetative attributes like crown height, crown spread, petiole length, leaf number, leaf area; flowering and fruit set, fruit size; production of albino, malformed and button berries, total yield and marketable fruit yield and quality parameters, like juice content, TSS, ascorbic acid contents, acidity etc. Results indicated that GA₃ (75 ppm) spray either during mid-November or mid-February or at both times has favourably influenced all vegetative attributes of ‘Chandler’ strawberry over control. Similarly, fruit set was increased, and production of malformed and button berries was reduced, but albinism remained unaffected. Although individual berry weight was reduced slightly, but fruit number, total as well as marketable yield was increased tremendously over control with no adverse effect on fruit quality parameters. In all, spraying GA₃ both during mid-November and mid-February was much more effective in achieving the desirable results than single application of GA₃ either during mid-November or mid-February.     

Effect of 24-epibrassinolide on growth,yield, antioxidant system and cadmium content of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants under salinity and cadmium stress

The plants of Phaseolus vulgaris L. were grown in the presence of NaCl and/or CdCl₂ and were sprayed with 5 μM of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) at 15 days after transplanting (DAT) and were sampled at 30 DAT and at the end of experiment. The plants exposed to NaCl and/or CdCl₂ exhibited a significant decline in growth, the level of pigment parameters, green pod yield and pod protein. However, the follow up treatment with EBL detoxified the stress generated by NaCl and/or CdCl₂ and significantly improved the above parameters. The NaCl and/or CdCl₂ increased electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation and plant Cd²⁺ content, and decreased the membrane stability index (MSI) and relative water content. However, the EBL treatment in absence of the stress improved the MSI and relative water content and minimized plant Cd²⁺ content but could not influence electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation. The antioxidative enzymes and the level of proline exhibited a significant increase in response to EBL as well as to NaCl and/or CdCl₂ stress.