Horticultural factors regulating effectiveness of GA3 inhibiting flowering in peaches and nectarines (Prunus persica L. Batsch)

The application of gibberellic acid during the flower bud induction period significantly reduced flowering in peaches and nectarines. The magnitude of the response significantly depended on the total amount of active material applied per tree. Results show, for cultivars tested, a higher sensitivity of peach to GA₃ in comparison with nectarine. Concentrations of 0.5 or 1.0 g tree⁻¹ of gibberellic acid reduce flowering by about 50% in both, peaches and nectarines, respectively, and it gives rise to a reduction of costs of hand thinning by 50%, approximately, without affecting the yield. Fruit colour advanced, total soluble solids concentration increased and fruit firmness increased as a consequence of treatments. The effect was higher in the basal part of the shoots and reduced from the base to the apical part.     

Changes in sugar and organic acid concentrations during fruit maturation in peaches,P. davidiana and hybrids as analyzed by principal component analysis

Changes during fruit maturation in sugar and acid concentrations were determined and compared for cultivated peaches (cv. Summergrand and Zéphir), P. davidiana and their unselected BC₂ genotypes. Cultivated peaches, P. davidiana as well as BC₂ genotypes followed similar changes in sucrose, citric acid, quinic acid and shikimic acid during fruit maturation. Sucrose increased until maturity; citric acid increased then fell; quinic acid and shikimic acid declined at maturity. There were very large differences in changes of glucose, fructose, sorbitol and malic acid during fruit maturation among the parents and BC₂ genotypes studied. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to describe temporal changes for complex traits and analyze the relationship between parents and BC₂ genotypes. In young immature fruits malic acid, quinic acid and shikimic acid concentrations were high then declined. Citric acid concentration peaked at intermediate maturities while mature fruits were characterized by increased sugar concentrations, especially sucrose. According to main PCA score planes, no BC₂ genotype was identical to ‘Summergrand’, ‘Zéphyr’ or P. davidiana parents. BC₂ genotypes were much closer to the cultivated peaches than to P. davidiana.     

Changes in physicochemical attributes of sweet pepper cv. Domino during fruit growth and development

The effect of harvesting sweet pepper ‘Domino’ fruit at different stages of growth and development on physicochemical attributes was studied. The suitability of fruit fresh weight, diameter and length, weeks from anthesis, total soluble solids (TSS), fruit colour change, firmness, internal CO₂ and C₂H₄ concentrations as well as fruit respiration and ethylene production as maturity indicators were evaluated. Fruits were harvested weekly until fully red ripe. Fruits took 8 weeks after anthesis (WAA) to reach harvest maturity and a further 2–3 weeks to reach full ripeness (11 WAA). Fruits exhibited a sigmoid growth pattern. Hue angle (change in colour from green to red) declined with time while chroma (colour intensity) values increased with fruit maturity, as did TSS. An increase in PⁱCO₂ and PⁱC₂H₄ accompanied the decrease in hue angle. The association between fruit ripening and the significant increase in PⁱC₂H₄ indicates that ethylene may be responsible for ripening of this cultivar of sweet pepper. Colour change and TSS were reasonable indicators of maturity of sweet pepper fruit complemented with fruit firmness.     

Estimation of the Colour Properties of Apples Varieties Using Neural Network

The consumer acceptance and the quality standard of agricultural products such as apple are determined mostly by their colour. Colour is measured with a colorimeter and quantified using the C.I.E. L^*, a^*, b^* colour space system. It is used commonly by researchers for the classification and identification of apple fruit. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first study investigating the prediction of some colour properties of six apple varieties through artificial neural networks (ANN). The apple varieties are ‘Amasya’, ‘Starking’, ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Pink Lady’, ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Arapk?z?’ and the colour properties are L^* (lightness), a^* (redness), b^* (yellowness), C^* (chroma), h^* (hue angle), CI (chroma index). General Regression Neural Networks (GRNN) and Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Interface System (ANFIS) structures were employed to predict the colour properties. According to the experimental and simulation results, the proposed ANFIS predictor had a superior performance in prediction of these colour parameters.     

三个类型桃及其杂种后代糖酸含量的差异

 以早星×早露蟠桃和94-1-40×早红2号两个杂种后代群体为试材,研究了果实糖、酸性状遗传与果形（扁平/圆形）、果皮毛有无（普通桃/油桃）、果肉颜色（白肉/黄肉）等质量性状的关系。桃果实的可溶性糖主要是蔗糖,占总可溶性糖的60%以上,其次是葡萄糖、果糖和山梨糖醇。桃果实的有机酸主要是苹果酸、柠檬酸和奎宁酸,莽草酸含量很低,仅占总酸含量的约0.3 %。在蟠桃群体中蔗糖、总糖、可溶性固形物的含量均显著高于普通桃群体,而葡萄糖、果糖、柠檬酸和莽草酸含量在蟠桃和普通桃后代间不存在显著差异。不同年份间苹果酸和奎宁酸含量在蟠桃和普通桃后代间存在差异。油桃后代的苹果酸、总酸平均含量显著高于普通桃后代,其柠檬酸、奎宁酸、莽草酸平均含量与普通桃后代间不存在显著差异。2005年油桃后代总糖、可溶性固形物及各可溶性糖组分含量均显著高于普通桃,2004年仅山梨醇含量显著高于普通桃后代。两年的结果均表明,总糖、可溶性固形物、总酸及各种糖酸组分在黄肉桃和白肉桃之间不存在显著差异,与吴本宏2003年的报道一致。     

Physical and cellular structure changes of Rastali banana (Musa AAB) during growth and development

A study on the physical and physiological characteristics of Rastali bananas (Musa AAB) was carried out throughout the 12 weeks after emergence of the first hand to determine the optimum growth stage of Rastali bananas. The fruit length and diameter followed a trend similar to that observed in fruit fresh weight throughout fruit development, and three physiological stages (S1–S3) of sigmoid growth were identified. The growth rate was slow during S1 (1st to 4th week), rapid during S2 (5th to 10th week) and remained constant during S3 (11th and 12th week). Peel cells underwent periclinal growth, which was accompanied by an increase in fruit peel and pulp thickness as the fruit developed. Moreover, the pulp colour became more vivid and yellow as the fruit developed. The peel moisture content decreased while pulp moisture content increased during fruit growth and development. The pulp firmness increased from the first until seventh week, and it decreased from the seventh week until twelfth week of the experiment. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) production was the highest at S1. However, CO₂ production declined until the 10th week and remained constant at a low level of 50 mL kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ during S3. Ethylene (C₂H₄) could not be detected throughout fruit growth and development. Thus, Rastali bananas showed physiological maturity at week 11 and week 12 after emergence of the first hand with constant fruit growth.     

槲树叶提取液对冷藏期间桃品质及抗氧化系统的影响

以生理成熟期‘新泰红’桃果实为试材,分别用0、2.5、5.0、7.5 g/L槲树叶提取液浸泡果实,以蒸馏水为对照,并于0℃冷藏,测定冷藏期间果实可溶性蛋白等品质指标以及酶活力与活性氧等物质,探讨槲树叶提取液对采后桃果实贮藏品质的影响。结果表明:槲树叶提取液处理能够有效延缓冷藏期间桃果实冷害指数升高以及硬度下降,使整个冷藏期间果实可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖、维生素C含量维持相对较高水平,并且能够有效延缓膜脂过氧化产物(丙二醛)以及活性氧物质(超氧阴离子自由基、过氧化氢和羟基自由基)积累;同时,槲树叶提取液处理还能够显著抑制果实多酚氧化酶(PPO)、苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)活性,从而延缓冷藏期间桃果实褐变程度。综上所述,槲树叶提取液处理能够缓解冷藏期间桃果实冷害症状,以5.0 g/L槲树叶提取液处理效果最为明显。     

Effects of Fertigation on Pigment Pattern and Fruit Quality of cv. ‘Gala’ Apples

Fruit pigmentation in ripening cv. ‘Gala, Schniga’ apples was monitored under the influence of fertigation weekly during 21 July–31 August 2009, i.e. 34 days before and 7 days after the optimal harvest date in Slovenia. The soil was a heavy loam clay with high humus content (2.8 %) and high acidity (low pH 4.9). The spectral indices NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and NAI (Normalized Anthocyanin Index) were obtained by a PA 1101 on attached fruit on the transition between the ground and blush colour of the fruit surface. NAI increased slowly from 0.25 to 0.6 two weeks prior to optimum maturity. NDVI values fell from 0.9 to 0.2 before and during ripening, with significant changes starting ca. 3 weeks before and during the week after the optimum harvest date. Fertigation delayed fruit ripening viz harvest date by ca. 4 days. Fertigation delayed changes in the intensity of the fruit’s epidermal pigments, expressed as NDVI for 1 week and NAI for 4 weeks, respectively, but had no significant effect on fruit colour or NDVI and NAI values at the optimal harvest date. At this time, those fruits from the fertigated trees were firmer with a lower starch index compared with the un-fertigated control. Statistically, highly significant correlations were found (p?≤?0.01) (r?=?0.35 to r?=?0.91, R²?=?0.11–0.83) between all the studied spectral and standard parameters i.e. fruit fresh firmness, soluble solids content and starch index.     

Site and fruit maturity influence on the quality of European plum in organic production

Information available on the role of site and fruit maturity in the quality of European plums in organic production has not been studied to date. European plum cv. ‘Green Gage’ grown in organic production was harvested in order to study the effect of site and fruit maturity on fruit quality. At harvest, significant differences were found in fruit weight, colour, firmness and TSS between harvest dates, whereas significant differences were found in fruit weight, colour, firmness and fruit Ca content between sites. Differences remained during storage. Fruit weight loss during storage was affected by site. Fruit with high Ca content showed higher firmness both at harvest and during storage. Harvest moment should not be chosen according to date, since differences between sites at the same date have been found. Firmness and colour parameters a* and h° would be useful to distinguish maturity at harvest between different sites and harvest dates. Linear regression between h° and firmness at harvest would allow the use of the h° colour parameter as a non-destructive measurement to distinguish maturity. Organic orchards should keep a minimum level of Ca in order to assure a slower fruit softening during storage.     

The evaporative cooling effects of overtree microsprinkler irrigation on ‘Mondial Gala’ apples

Microsprinkler irrigation for evaporative cooling of ‘Mondial Gala’ apples (Malus x domestica Borkh.) was evaluated over a 3-year period in Lleida (NE Spain). Cooling irrigation was applied continuously for 2 h on a daily basis for 25–30 days prior to commercial harvest. Three treatments were evaluated: (1) control without overtree microsprinkler irrigation; (2) microsprinkler irrigation applied at sunset; (3) microsprinkler irrigation applied at mid-day (year 2) or at sunrise (year 3). Fruit and orchard temperature were significantly reduced by cooling irrigation, especially when applied at mid-day and at sunset. Fruit colour, as measured with a Minolta CR-200 portable triestimulus colourimeter using the CIE [1976] L*a*b* system, and anthocyanin concentration were significantly affected by both the cooling irrigation and the weather of each specific year. The years 1998 and 1999 were warm years typical of the region and cooled fruits had better colour than in the control. In 1997, on the other hand, low temperatures and rainfall prior to harvest masked the effects of cooling irrigation on fruit colour and quality parameters. Microsprinkler irrigation, especially when applied at sunset, increased the red colour, providing greater surface colouration and higher anthocyanin content on both sides of the fruit. A linear regression of anthocyanin content on L*, a*/b* ratio and hue angle provided R² values of 0.58, 0.52 and 0.58, respectively. These values are low for estimating fruit anthocyanin content in situ from chromaticity values. Based on the colour required to meet EU grade standards, 13–22% more fruits were harvested at first pick from trees receiving cooling irrigation than from the control.Fruit firmness, fruit size, and soluble solid concentration (SSC) were all increased by cooling irrigation, though the extent to which this occurred varied from season to season. Significantly greater values were observed for cooled fruits than the control in 1998 and 1999 but not in 1997. On the other hand, titratable acidity (TA) did not appear to be consistently affected by evaporative cooling. The economical analysis evidences the interest of cooling, due mainly to increase of fruit colour, especially when the same system is used for both purposes, frost protection and cooling.     

Effects of high-humidity storage on quality,decay and storage life of cherry,lemon and peach fruits

Sweet cherries (Prunus avium (L.) ‘Lambert’ and ‘Blackboy’), lemons (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. ‘Lisbon’) and peaches (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, ‘Summerset’) were stored at 77–83, 90–94 and 95–99% RH (high humidity) at near-optimal storage temperatures after harvest and treatment with fungicides. High-humidity storage did not increase the storage life of peaches held at 0°C, but the life expectancy of cherries (both cultivars) was extended by 7–10 days at 0°C, and of lemons by at least 4 weeks at 10°C when fruit were stored at 95–99% RH compared with levels below 95%. The beneficial effects of high humidity were attributed to retardation of peel desiccation and associated reductions in fruit deformation, peel de-greening, chilling-injury and decay in lemons and to the maintenance of a fresher stalk and a firmer, less shrivelled fruit in cherries. High humidity had no effect on decay in cherries or peaches, but it significantly reduced weight loss and delayed the appearance of shrivel in peaches stored at 0°C. However, after storage at high humidity for 4 weeks, peaches ripened with low rates of C₂H₄ evolution and showed severe low-temperature injury, slight peeling-injury and a poor flavour ex-store.     

Genetic characterization of different demes in Prunus persica revealed by RAPD markers

DNAs of 180 accessions in 10 demes in Prunus persica were amplified with twenty-two, 10-base primers selected from 200 arbitrary primers using Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technology. One hundred and eighty loci were observed and recorded. With statistical analyses of the data from the study, genetic diversity of the demes was expressed as follow: yellow peach group > honey peach group > flat peach group > red leaf peach group > crisp peach group > bitao group and juicy peach group > nectarine group > shouxingtao group > weeping peach group. Genetic variations among and within groups by AMOVA analyses were 11.9, 88.1%, respectively. Demes clustered by UPGMA modified from NEIGHBOR procedure of PHYLIP Version 3.5, the edible peaches of which were combined as a section, while the ornamental species were classified into separate sections. Through analyses of genetic diversity and genetic structure, the results could provide molecular biological evidence for conservation and utilization of P. persica germplasm.     

Metabolism and translocation of 1, 2-14C(2-chloroethyl) phosphonic acid in Prunus persica (L.) Batsch

1,2-¹⁴C (2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid (¹⁴C-CEPA) translocation and metabolism was studied in short-term experiments on ‘Andross’ peach trees at the end of Stage I of fruit development. The chemical was applied to the fruit surface or to the abaxial surface of the basal leaf of a developing shoot. When the tracer was applied to the fruit, no translocation of the chemical occurred. When the ¹⁴C-CEPA was applied to the leaf, translocation was observed. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of the radioactivity recovered in acidic methanol extracts of both fruits and one-year shoots, collected 24, 48 and 96 h after ¹⁴C-CEPA application to the leaf, indicated that the translocation occurred in forms different from the original chemical. Treatment of chromatograms with AgNO₃ and FeCl₃ at 100°C showed that the colour reaction of sugars was associated with the radioactive areas. Therefore it seems likely that the translocation of ¹⁴C-CEPA occurred in sugar-conjugated form. Results of the TLC of ¹⁴C-CEPA before spotting or overspotted with sugars or fruit and leaf extracts, showed that the binding of ¹⁴C-CEPA to sugars is not a metabolic reaction, although the complex, being more stable than the original chemical and biologically active, could have physiological significance in determining long-term responses of tissues to treatments with CEPA.     

SSR fingerprinting Chinese peach cultivars and landraces (Prunus persica) and analysis of their genetic relationships

Thirty-two Chinese peach landraces/cultivars, a major subset of the core Chinese peach collection, were fingerprinted using seven pairs of SSR primers to assess their genetic diversity and relatedness. The seven primer pairs detected eight loci and revealed an allele richness of 3.125 (average alleles per locus), an expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.450, and a Shannon index of 0.728 among the landraces/cultivars. This level of genetic diversity is lower compared to other fruit trees and Prunus congenus species (cherry and apricot), but it is comparable to previous reports in peaches. A greater level of genetic diversity was observed in landraces than in cultivars, indicating that peach landraces are valuable for germplasm collection. All cultivars and landraces, except two, were unambiguously identified based on multi-locus genotypes. Eight unique alleles were detected among this group of Chinese peaches. UPGMA clustering analysis separated the 32 cultivars/landraces into two distinct groups, which is generally in accordance with the known pedigree information. The results provide accurate genetic information for defined acquisition policy in the repositories, improving the integrity and efficiency of germplasm management and giving evidences for protection of breeder's intellectual rights.     

Phenotyping vigour control capacity of new peach rootstocks by xylem vessel analysis

In peach, xylem anatomical characteristics have been shown to be related to vigour of selected rootstocks. The goal of this research was to determine if xylem characteristics of a new set of rootstocks that exhibit a range of size-controlling potential and have a different genetic background from previously examined material would also exhibit similar differences in xylem characteristics. If so, then anatomical analysis of xylem may be a useful means of predicting the vigour control capacity of selected peach rootstock genotypes. Samples of xylem tissue were taken from roots, trunks and shoots of four new rootstocks that were derived from a genetic cross between ‘Harrow Blood’ and ‘Okinawa’ peaches and compared with tissue from ‘Nemaguard’, a vigorous control. Xylem samples were sectioned and analysed by optical microscope. The number and dimensions of vessels in recently developed xylem of each rootstock were measured and compared. The more dwarfing rootstocks had fewer large vessels and more small vessels than the more vigorous rootstocks. Weighted mean vessel diameter (Wm) and calculated hydraulic conductance (K_h) differed among rootstocks: more vigorous rootstocks had higher K_h and Wm than dwarfing rootstocks. Rootstock xylem vessel dimensions varied in relation to the vigour they imparted to a common scion cultivar (‘O’Henry’). After the ‘Nemaguard’ control, ‘HBOK 50’ was the most vigorous rootstock followed by ‘HBOK 10’, ‘HBOK 32’ and ‘HBOK 27’, respectively. Thus, as was seen in previous research with a separate set of rootstocks, the vigour-control capacity of this new series of peach rootstocks was strongly related to their xylem hydraulic characteristics and it appears likely that it would be possible to use xylem anatomical characteristics of shoots or roots of young trees to pre-select for size-controlling potential in a rootstock development program.     

Combinations of GA3 and AVG delay fruit maturation,increase fruit size and improve storage life of `Feicheng' peaches

Summary

Different concentrations of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and gibberellic acid (GA₃) and their combinations, applied at two stages of fruit growth, were evaluated for prolonging the marketing season of `Feicheng' peaches. GA<sub>3</sub> applied at the end of pit hardening, or AVG applied two weeks before commercial harvest, inhibited fruit maturation on the tree, delayed harvest and reduced flesh browning after cold storage in a concentration-dependent manner. A synergistic effect was found when both GA<sub>3</sub> and AVG were used, with the combination of 100 or 150.mg l<sup>±1</sup> GA<sub>3</sub>, applied at the end of pit hardening, and 100 mg l<sup>±1</sup> AVG, applied two weeks before harvest giving the best results. These combinations retarded the change in ground colour, loss of firmness, and reduction in acidity by 2±3 weeks. Since harvest was prolonged by 2±3 weeks, soluble solids content (SSC) in fruit increased compared with the control (harvested earlier). Fruit size was significantly greater on treated trees compared with the controls when fruit set was controlled to the same level by hand thinning. After four weeks of storage and 4.d at 208C, 83% of control fruit developed tissue browning, but only 5% of AVG + GA<sub>3</sub>-treated fruit developed browning after six weeks of storage and 4 d at 208C. Thus, the marketing season of `Feicheng' peaches was prolonged by at least four weeks by 100 or 150 mg l^±1 of GA₃ and 100 mg l^±1 of AVG. Fruit treated with 150 mg l^±1 GA₃ plus 100 to 150 mg l^±1 AVG showed similar results but failed to ripen properly after cold storage.     

The effect of organic supplementation of solarized soil on the quality of tomato fruit

Soil solarization, used to control weeds and soil-borne pathogens in hot climates, has not yet been widely adapted as a commercial practice because of its lack of efficacy. Experiments were carried out in southern Italy over two growing seasons to study the effect of three levels (0, 0.35 and 0.7 kg m⁻²) of organic supplementation of the soil prior to solarization on soil mineral availability and fruit quality attributes. Soil temperature and chemical properties were monitored, together with changes in the physical characteristics and chemical composition of tomato fruits grown under commercial greenhouse conditions. Organic supplementation increased the soil temperature achieved through solarization by 3.9 to 5.5 °C. Organic supplementation increased (P ≤ 0.05) the soil concentration of NO₃⁻-N, exchangeable K₂O, Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and Mg²⁺ and the level of electrical conductivity in the soil extract. Physical characteristics of tomato fruits were improved by supplementation, with fresh and dry weight enhanced up to 11 and 21%, respectively, mesocarp thickness up to 19%, firmness up to 36% and skin redness (a^*/b^* ratio) up to 24%. As the supplementation rate was raised from 0 to 0.7 kg m⁻², the fruit content of reducing sugars increased (P ≤ 0.01) from 1.75 to 2.14 g per 100 g f.w., ash from 0.49 to 0.62%, soluble solid from 5.12 to 6.18 °Brix, titratable acidity from 0.16 to 0.19%, and ascorbic acid from 25.1 to 32.5 mg 100 mL⁻¹. We concluded that organic supplementation appears to be a valuable and environmentally friendly way to improve the mineral availability in the soil and improve fruit quality of tomato.     

不同溶质桃果实的软化与乙烯合成相关基因的差异表达

以八成熟Stonyhard型桃‘霞脆’和‘有名白桃’、软溶质桃‘银花露’、硬溶质桃‘湖景蜜露’、不溶质桃‘金童6号’的果实为试材,研究了25 ℃和4 ℃贮藏条件下果实软化及乙烯生物合成途径相关基因表达水平的差异。结果显示：两种贮藏温度下,Stonyhard型桃‘有名白桃’和‘霞脆’果实释放极少量乙烯;25 ℃常温条件下,Stonyhard型桃果实硬度保持较高水平,但4 ℃低温诱导了‘有名白桃’果实软化。实时荧光定量PCR表明,软溶质、硬溶质和不溶质桃的PpACS1基因均具有高表达丰度,而Stonyhard型‘霞脆’和‘有名白桃’的表达水平极低;两种贮藏温度下,5个桃品种果实在整个贮藏期间均未检测到PpACS2和PpACS3基因的表达。此外,低温诱导了PpACO1基因在Stonyhard型桃‘霞脆’和‘有名白桃’中的表达,‘有名白桃’果实endo-PG基因受低温刺激表达也上调。说明不同肉质类型的桃贮藏期间果实软化与乙烯的生物合成关系密切,不同温度下通过调节相关基因的表达水平进而调控果实软化进程。     

Assessment of genetic variability in Italian heritage peach resources from Emilia-Romagna using microsatellite markers

Summary

Heritage peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) varieties in Emilia-Romagna, Italy’s leading peach-producing region, are largely marked by melting, juicy, aromatic white-fleshed fruit with a short shelf-life and susceptibility to bruising.While these varieties have rapidly been replaced since the 1950’s by yellow-fleshed peaches from US breeding programmes with improved handling resistance, the Fruit Research Unit of the Agricultural Research Council, at Forlì, has begun an effort to safeguard and characterise the heritage varieties of Emilia-Romagna. The programme has screened 26 local heritage accessions using a set of 16 highly polymorphic microsatellite (simple sequence repeat; SSR) markers to assess genetic diversity, to elucidate inter-relationships, and to resolve any cases of homonymy. Seven international peach cultivars have been included in order to standardise allele scoring. This study resulted in 19 unique molecular profiles among the heritage accessions, and a relatively high mean observed heterozygosity value of 0.49 for a germplasm pool from a restricted region, an indicator of potential genetic diversity. The main morphological features of the heritage peaches are reported, and potential benefits for future breeding programmes discussed.     

Current status of commercial Calibrachoa cultivars as assessed by morphology and other traits

To study the morphological diversity of the popular ornamental crop Calibrachoa, traded since the 1990s, floral and vegetative characters of 91 commercial cultivars were compared to those of natural species. Floral colours were classified according to the ISCC-NBS system and the CIE LAB system. The numerical data obtained by measuring 19 floral and vegetative characters was tested with principal component (PC) analysis. Floral colour classes of commercial cultivars were divided into 37 groups according the ISCC-NBS system, whereas those of natural species were divided into 9 groups. These tendencies were readily observable in the scatter diagrams of the a* vs. b* values and the C* vs. L* values. As the result of PC analysis, six PCs were obtained. For PC4, which negatively correlated with the degree of nocturnal corolla limb closure, the majority of natural species showed negative scores whereas the majority of cultivars had positive PC4 scores. In terms of PC2 (flower size), PC3 (growth form), PC5 (floral shape) and PC6 (leaf shape), natural species were dispersed in a range wider than the cultivars. These results suggest that Calibrachoa cultivars possess more highly variable floral colour than natural species, and breeding programmes to diversify the floral colour seem to have progressed rapidly. The tendency of natural species to close the corolla limb toward evening has been removed almost completely from the cultivars. The floral size, growth form, floral shape and leaf shape of the cultivars were rather uniform compared to those of natural species.