外源NO供体对水分亏缺下玉米叶片碳同化关键酶及抗氧化系统的影响

为了探讨外源NO供体(硝普钠, SNP)对水分亏缺下玉米叶片碳同化关键酶及抗氧化系统的影响及其调控机制, 在20% PEG-6000模拟水分亏缺胁迫下, 研究了SNP对玉米品种驻玉309幼苗叶片光合碳同化核酮糖-1,5-二磷酸羧化/加氧酶(Rubisco)和Rubisco活化酶(RCA)活性及其基因表达、抗氧化酶活性及其同工酶谱变化的影响。结果表明, 在水分亏缺胁迫下, SNP显著上调玉米叶片rbc L、rbc S、rca β基因的相对表达量, 尤其是叶片rbc S基因的相对表达量增加1.86倍, 叶片Rubisco、RCA活性分别提高32.7%和14.67%; 叶片超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性及其同工酶谱带的宽度和亮度显著增强, 而ROS积累量明显降低。说明在PEG水分亏缺胁迫下, SNP能显著提升玉米幼苗叶片光合碳同化能力及抗氧化酶活性, 降低ROS积累及其对细胞膜造成的损伤, 提高玉米的抗干旱性。     

外源—氧化氮供体硝普钠对谷子幼苗抗氧化酶活性及膜脂过氧化物的影响

研究了不同浓度外源一氧化氮( nitric oxide,NO)供体硝普钠(sodium nitroprusside,SNP)对谷子幼苗的抗氧化酶( SOD、CAT、POD)活性及膜脂过氧化产物MDA含量的影响.结果表明,随着SNP浓度的增加,谷子种子萌发幼苗的的SOD、CAT、POD酶活性变化呈现出先升后降的趋势.当SNP浓度为100μmol/L时,SOD活性最大,为对照的116.2%;当SNP浓度为200μmol/L时,CAT活性最大,为对照的244.6%;当SNP浓度为200μmol/L时,POD活性最大,为对照的172.7%.谷子种子萌发后幼苗的MDA含量在0～100μmol/L范围内与SNP浓度呈显著负相关;在100～ 500 μmol/L范围内呈显著正相关;其中100μmol/L时MDA含量最低,为对照的79.3%.     

外源NO对铅胁迫下水果黄瓜种子萌发和幼苗生理特性的影响

探讨水果黄瓜幼苗对铅胁迫的响应机制,为揭示水果黄瓜抗铅性提供理论依据。在200 mg/L硝酸铅胁迫下,研究了不同浓度的(50,100,300,500μmol/L)外源一氧化氮(Nitric oxide,NO)对水果黄瓜种子萌发以及幼苗可溶性蛋白含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量、过氧化物酶(POD)活性、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性及叶绿素相对含量的影响。结果表明,200 mg/L的硝酸铅对水果黄瓜种子的萌发起到显著的抑制作用,并使可溶性蛋白与丙二醛的含量升高,POD、CAT活性以及叶绿素相对含量显著降低;加入硝普钠(SNP,NO供体)对水果黄瓜种子的发芽率、发芽势及发芽指数有明显的促进作用,同时降低了丙二醛的含量,增加POD、CAT、SOD活性以及叶绿素相对含量和可溶性蛋白质含量。外源NO能显著促进Pb2+胁迫下水果黄瓜种子萌发,增强细胞的渗透调节能力,提高保护酶活性,明显缓解幼苗叶片受到的氧化损伤,其中以100μmol/L SNP处理的效果最好。     

NaCl胁迫对胡卢巴幼苗抗氧化酶活性和丙二醛含量的影响

以胡卢巴幼苗为试验材料,研究NaCl胁迫下胡卢巴幼苗叶和根中抗氧化酶SOD、POD、CAT活性及丙二醛(MDA)含量的变化。结果表明:随着NaCl处理浓度的升高,SOD、POD、CAT活性总体呈现先上升后下降的趋势,MDA含量则呈上升趋势。叶片中抗氧化酶活性在NaCl浓度为1.0%时达到峰值,根中抗氧化酶活性在NaCl浓度为0.5%时达到峰值。在0.5%的NaCl浓度处理下,随着处理时间的延长,3种抗氧化酶协同作用,使MDA含量减少并控制在较稳定的阶段。可见,盐胁迫下胡卢幼苗可通过提高抗氧化酶活性,降低膜质过氧化水平,减缓盐胁迫对植株的伤害,从而增强其耐盐性。     

水分胁迫下钙对甘蔗幼苗抗氧化酶活性的影响

笔者选取甘蔗福农95-1702为材料,结合钙离子螯合剂EGTA预处理,对水分胁迫下Ca2+与甘蔗幼苗抗氧化酶类活性的关系进行研究,探讨逆境信号转导第二信使Ca2+在甘蔗抗旱性中的作用。结果表明,1~3mmol/L的EGTA预处理对正常生长条件下甘蔗幼苗的相对生长率、可溶性蛋白含量及抗氧化酶活性均无显著影响。但30%PEG处理下,1~3mmol/L的EGTA预处理降低了甘蔗幼苗的相对生长量,加剧了可溶性蛋白含量的下降：在处理的24小时,处理1E+D（1mmol/LEGTA+30%PEG）及3E+D(3mmol/LEGTA+30%PEG)中的可溶性蛋白含量分别比处理D（30%PEG）降低了40.2%和54.3%。同时,EGTA预处理抑制了PEG胁迫下超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和过氧化物酶（POD）活性的升高,加剧了过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性的降低：在处理的24小时,处理1E+D及3E+D中的SOD活性分别比处理D降低了26.5%和29.9%;而POD活性则比处理D分别降低了31.3%和23.2%;处理3E+D的CAT酶活性比处理D降低了27.2%。这些结果暗示Ca2+可能参与了水分胁迫下甘蔗幼苗抗氧化酶系统的调节,Ca2+信号和活性氧（ROS）所介导的信号转导途径存在交叉互作     

N+离子注入对萌发期小麦中POD和SOD同工酶的影响

采用垂直板聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳技术,研究N+离子注入处理后小麦种子豫麦34萌发时期根、盾片、芽、胚乳中POD和SOD同工酶的变化.结果表明:N+离子注入可引起豫麦34的不同器官中POD和SOD同工酶的酶带与酶活性的不同变化,除芽中POD和SOD同工酶活性无明显变化外,其它器官中POD和SOD同工酶均表现为活性增强.4种器官相比,根和胚乳中同工酶变化较大,盾片和芽中同工酶变化不明显.其中,根中同工酶变化更为显著,N+离子束注入处理后根中POD同工酶多了Rf值为0.47的新酶带.     

硅对盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗细胞膜伤害及其保护酶活性的影响

以抗盐性不同的两个黄瓜品种为材料,研究硅对NaCl胁迫下黄瓜幼苗细胞膜伤害及其保护酶活性的影响。结果表明:盐胁迫下细胞的膜质过氧化程度明显加剧,丙二醛(MDA)含量显著增加;超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)的活性均有不同程度的下降。外源硅降低了幼苗叶片质膜透性,提高了盐胁迫下黄瓜幼苗体内SOD、POD酶活性,但对CAT活性影响不大。     

栽培条件对半夏叶片POD、SOD、CAT活性的影响

为了筛选能提高半夏叶片POD、SOD、CAT活性的栽培条件,用愈创木酚法、NBT光化还原抑制法和紫外分光光度法分别测定了不同基质不同施肥条件下半夏叶片中过氧化物酶（POD）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）的活性。结果表明：半夏叶片POD酶活性受基质影响不明显,但不同施肥处理对其活性影响极显著,其中施用1/2MS+K+P（KH2PO4 100 mg/L）的处理半夏叶片POD酶的活性最强;半夏叶片中SOD和CAT酶的活性受不同基质的影响比较明显,其中以珍珠岩为基质栽培的半夏叶片中两种酶的活性均显著高于以土壤为基质栽培的半夏;不同施肥处理对这两种酶的活性也有影响,其中施用1/2MS+K+P（KH2PO4 100 mg/L）的处理半夏叶片SOD酶的活性最强。栽培半夏以珍珠岩为基质、施用1/2MS+K+P（KH2PO4 100 mg/L）的处理对于提高半夏叶片中POD、SOD、CAT 3种同工酶的活性为佳。     

PEG预处理对水分胁迫下水稻叶片抗氧化酶同工酶及其表达的影响

采用聚乙二醇（PEG6000）模拟水分胁迫,研究水稻在10％PEG预处理及复水和更强的水分胁迫（15％PEG）处理条件下叶片超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）同工酶及其基因表达的变化。结果表明PEG预处理能提高叶片SOD、CAT和POD同工酶的产生,并诱导产生新谱带。当水稻受到更强的水分胁迫（15%PEG）时SOD同工酶的酶II和IV的活性升高,并有新诱导出的酶III参与其中;对POD而言酶Ⅱ升高,酶Ⅴ减小,并有新诱导出的酶VI参与抗氧化过程;而对CAT同工酶却有着不同的调节作用。此外,直接15%PEG胁迫（即对照组2）的Cu/Zn-SOD、APX1和CAT1基因在转录水平有明显的上调,而预处理复水组和预处理组CAT1较对照组1略有降低,预处理组APX1与对照组1相似。说明15%PEG会使水稻受到伤害,但是经过预处理后的水稻能提高抗性使其抗氧化酶基因与对照组1有着相似的表达,表明植物在遇到较强的水分胁迫时,会通过调节自身的基因表达水平来抵抗外界水分胁迫。     

外源 NO 对棉花幼苗氧化损伤和保护酶活性的影响

以子叶全展期的棉花幼苗为材料,在1/4 Hoagland营养液中添加不同浓度,0,10,50,100,200μmol/L SNP （硝普钠）处理棉花幼苗,研究外源NO对棉花幼苗叶片和根系氧化损伤和保护酶活性的影响。结果表明：外源NO供体SNP处理使棉苗叶片和根系MDA含量和O·-2产生速率显著增加,可溶性蛋白含量（叶片）显著降低,SOD、POD活性增加,但是CAT活性下降。10～100μmol/L SNP处理间差异不显著。各生理指标之间差异优先表现在叶片中。结果表明,外源NO在一定浓度范围内抑制棉花幼苗的生长。     

Ethanol vapor and saprophytic yeast treatments reduce decay and maintain quality of intact and fresh-cut sweet cherries

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of an ethanol vapor release pad and a saprophytic yeast Cryptococcus infirmo-miniatum (CIM) to reduce decay and maintain postharvest quality of intact or fresh-cut sweet cherries (Prunus avium) cv. Lapins and Bing. Intact or fresh-cut fruit were packed in perforated clamshells (capacity 454 g) and stored at 1, 10 or 20 °C for up to 21, 14 and 8 d, respectively. For ethanol treatment, a pad made with silica gel powder containing 10 g ethanol and covered with perforated film, which allows ethanol vapor to diffuse gradually, was attached to the upper lid of the clamshells. Ethanol treatment caused accumulation of ethanol in the packaging headspace, about 10 μL L⁻¹ with little change within 14 d at 1 °C, 23 μL L⁻¹ at d 1 and decreased to 15 μL L⁻¹ at d 10 at 10 °C, and 26 μL L⁻¹ at d 1 and decreased to 13 μL L⁻¹ at d 3 at 20 °C. Ethanol content in fruit was less than 9 mg kg⁻¹ in all the control fruit, and increased to 16, 34 and 43 mg kg⁻¹ in ethanol-treated fruit at 1, 10 and 20 °C, respectively. Nonetheless, a sensory taste panel did not perceive any flavor difference from the ethanol treatment. The ethanol treatment retarded softening, darkening, and acid decrease in fruit as well as discoloration of the stems, and extended shelf-life of intact cherries. Ethanol reduced brown rot (Monilinia fructicola) in fresh-cut cherries stored at 20 °C, but not at 1 and 10 °C. A pre-packaging dip in CIM completely controlled brown rot in inoculated fresh-cut cherries stored at 1 °C, and in naturally infected cherries at 20 °C.     

膜下滴灌条件下高产甜菜灌溉的生理指标

甜菜是我国重要的糖料作物,其生物产量高,需水量大,合理灌溉是节约用水、提高产量的有效措施之一。本试验连续两年研究了内蒙古半干旱地区膜下滴灌条件下,不同灌水量甜菜块根产量与叶面积指数、净光合速率、蒸腾速率、叶水势、土壤含水量和耗水量之间的关系,以及不同灌水量对甜菜产量和水分利用效率的影响。结果表明,高产甜菜的叶面积指数在叶丛快速生长期大于7.37,在块根糖分增长期和糖分积累期分别为6.08~6.51和4.19~5.57,在叶丛快速生长期、块根糖分增长期和糖分积累期叶水势分别为–0.09~–0.22、–0.18~–0.39和–0.26~–0.48 MPa,净光合速率分别为21.28~28.23、21.90~28.75和22.06~26.58μmol m–2 s–1,蒸腾速率在叶丛快速生长期和块根糖分增长期分别为9.36~10.21 mmol m–2 s–1和6.37~7.73 mmol m–2 s–1,在糖分积累期大于4.69 mmol m–2 s–1,耗水量分别为140.15~312.78、44.93~200.45和56.32~113.06 mm。甜菜产量、产糖量、水分利用效率均高的合理灌溉量,在丰雨年份(生育期降雨量500 mm)为1350 m3 hm–2,在少雨年份(生育期降雨量300 mm)为1800 m3 hm–2,为甜菜节水灌溉提供了理论依据和生理指标。     

The effect of temperature and other factors on chlorophyll a fluorescence and the lower oxygen limit in apples (Malus domestica)

The effects of temperature, scan interval and rate of oxygen (O₂) decline on pulse frequency modulation (PFM)-based minimum fluorescence (F_α) and the F_α-based lower oxygen limit (LOL) were investigated using ‘Honeycrisp’ apples (Malus × domestica Borkh). The effects of temperature and hypoxic stress on pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) fluorescence parameters were also investigated. The PFM scan interval had no effect on the F_α baseline, but increases in the scan interval decreased the low-O₂-induced fluorescence spike intensity (ΔF_α). Temperature negatively correlated with the F_α baseline while ΔF_α °C⁻¹ was greater at lower than at higher temperatures. When using a PAM fluorometer, the minimum fluorescence (F_o), and to a lesser extent the maximum fluorescence (F_m), were similarly affected by temperature as was F_α. Temperature altered the LOL in fruit. Apples stored at 20, 10, 3.5 and 0 °C spiked at 0.72, 0.33, 0.22 and 0.08 kPa O₂, respectively, under a rapid O₂ decline (i.e., 20.9 to <1 kPa O₂ in ≈5–6 h). Although the low-O₂ F_α spike apex values did not change with temperature, the spike intensity increased with temperature due to a reduced fluorescence baseline. A slower O₂ decline rate produced slightly higher LOL and lower spike intensity values. In conclusion, temperature and rate of O₂ decline affected the low-O₂-induced PFM fluorescence spike intensity as well as the LOL, while the PFM scan interval affected the spike intensity.     

Effect of two wheat genotypes and Swedish environment on falling number, amylase activities, and protein concentration and composition

Variation in falling number, amylase activities, protein concentration and composition were investigated in two wheat cultivars grown in Sweden over two seasons, in four locations, with four N fertilizer rates, with and without fungicide treatment. The results showed that;

Cultivar differences in gaseous 1-methylcyclopropene accumulation in whole and fresh-cut apple fruit

A number of studies have shown that responses of apple fruit to 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) vary considerably among cultivars. This study was designed to determine if cultivars show differences in accumulation of gaseous 1-MCP. Apple fruit were placed in 1.76 L jars that were sealed and injected with 20 μL L⁻¹ 1-MCP. After 12 h, samples of intercellular atmosphere were removed and analyzed for 1-MCP concentration. Accumulation of internal gaseous 1-MCP varied markedly among cultivars, ranging from 0.14 ± 0.06, 0.22 ± 0.03, and 0.77 ± 0.30 in ‘Redcort’, ‘McIntosh’, and ‘Empire’, respectively, to 2.10 ± 0.28, 3.33 ± 0.13, and 6.93 ± 0.35 μL L⁻¹ in ‘Gala’, ‘Cameo’, and ‘Honeycrisp’, respectively. Accumulation of gaseous 1-MCP was reduced an average of 51% in fruit treated with Sta-Fresh 8711 fruit wax. The role of the epidermis in modulating 1-MCP ingress was determined by measuring gaseous 1-MCP accumulation in fresh-cut tissue. Fresh-cut cortical tissue rapidly depleted headspace 1-MCP (>95%) over a 1-h exposure yet accumulated negligible quantities of internal gaseous 1-MCP. By contrast, cortical tissue treated with ascorbic acid or hypotaurine, or aged for several hours prior to exposure to 1-MCP, showed reduced consumption of headspace 1-MCP and high accumulation of internal gaseous 1-MCP. Levels of internal 1-MCP in cortical tissue from the cultivars generally paralleled those for intact fruit, ranging from 0.23 ± 0.07, 0.37 ± 0.18 and 1.09 ± 0.14 μL L⁻¹ in ‘Empire’, ‘McIntosh’ and ‘Redcort’, respectively, to 2.40 ± 0.71, 4.55 ± 0.15, and 6.24 ± 0.85 in Gala’, ‘Cameo’, and ‘Honeycrisp’, respectively. Although commercial fruit wax influences gaseous 1-MCP accumulation, the comparable accumulation patterns in unwaxed whole and fresh-cut apple fruit suggest that epidermal tissue/native waxes alone do not account for cultivar differences.     

Inheritance and allelic relationship among gene(s) for blast resistance in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]

Six blast‐resistant pearl millet genotypes, ICMB 93333, ICMB 97222, ICMR 06444, ICMR 06222, ICMR 11003 and IP 21187‐P1, were crossed with two susceptible genotypes, ICMB 95444 and ICMB 89111 to generate F₁s, F₂s and backcrosses, BC₁P₁ (susceptible parent × F₁) and BC₁P₂ (resistant parent × F₁) for inheritance study. The resistant genotypes were crossed among themselves in half diallel to generate F₁s and F₂s for test of allelism. The F₁, F₂ and backcross generations, and their parents were screened in a glasshouse against Magnaporthe grisea isolates Pg 45 and Pg 53. The reaction of the F₁s, segregation pattern of F₂s and BC₁P₁ derived from crosses involving two susceptible parents and six resistant parents revealed the presence of single dominant gene governing resistance in the resistant genotypes. No segregation for blast reaction was observed in the F₂s derived from the crosses of resistant × resistant parents. The resistance reaction of these F₂s indicated that single dominant gene conferring resistance in the six genotypes is allelic, that is same gene imparts blast resistance in these genotypes to M. grisea isolates.     

干旱荒漠区物理结皮的土壤水文效应

在干旱荒漠区,物理结皮是广泛发育的一类结皮,其存在对维持干旱荒漠区生态平衡具有重要作用。笔者总结了物理结皮种类、形成及影响因素,综述了物理结皮对土壤降雨入渗、蒸发、地表径流以及土壤发育和微生物生长等方面的国内外研究动态,探讨了物理结皮和生物结皮的相互联系,在此基础上,提出了物理结皮进一步研究的展望,认为：在河西走廊东段的民勤沙区,粘土沙障加梭梭的固沙造林模式,促使粘土沙障在雨滴的冲刷下物理结皮广泛发育,发育的结皮降低了降水入渗,增加了地表径流,使深层土壤旱化,造成人工梭梭固沙林衰退和较深层土壤水分的减少,导致沙区生态水文过程和植被格局变化,研究对退化荒漠植被恢复与干旱沙区土壤水分循环具有意义。     

Ecuador, 1991 potato germplasm collecting expedition: taxonomy and new germplasm resources

Summary We conducted a joint Ecuador/Colombia/United States wild potato (Solanum sect. Petota) germplasm collecting expedition in Ecuador from April 13–July 1, 1991. The goals of the expedition were to collect germplasm and study the species boundaries of all of the 25 Ecuadorian taxa accepted by current taxonomists. We made 126 collections of 24 of these 25 taxa, 113 as germplasm samples, 13 only as herbarium collections. We synonymize six of these 25 names (S. baezense Ochoa, S. cyanophyllum Correll, S. pichinchense Bitter & Sodiro, S. serratoris Ochoa, S. suffrutescens Correll as synonyms of S. andreanum Baker; S. correllii Ochoa as a synonym of S. regularifolium Correll). Four other names (S. chomatophilum f. angustifoliolum Correll, S. moscopanum Hawkes, S. solisii Hawkes, S. tundalomense Ochoa) could not be consistently distinguished from S. colombianum Dunal in the field. We are currently investigating them to determine their species status.     

Performance of various grapefruit (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Citrus paradisi</Emphasis> Macf.) and pummelo (<Emphasis Type="Italic">C. maxima</Emphasis> Merr.) cultivars under the dry tropic conditions of Mexico

Grapefruit growers in the tropics require information about existing and new citrus cultivars with high productivity potential. The objective of this study was to determine the growth, yield, and fruit quality performance of seven pigmented and four white grapefruit cultivars under the dry tropic conditions of Colima, Mexico. The trees were budded on sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) rootstock and planted at a distance of 8 × 4 m. ‘Oroblanco’ and ‘Marsh Gardner’ white-fleshed grapefruit cultivars and ‘Chandler’, a pink-fleshed pummelo, were the largest trees with the greatest height (5.0–5.6 m), canopy diameter (6.2–6.3 m), trunk diameter (21.9–23.3 cm), and canopy volume (109–123 m³). Lower height (4.3–4.8 m) and canopy volume (73–96 m³), but with similar canopy diameter to the previously mentioned cultivars, were recorded for the remaining pigmented cultivars. ‘Chandler’ pummelo and four pigmented grapefruit cultivars (‘Shambar’, ‘Río Red’, ‘Ray Ruby’, and ‘Redblush #3’) had yearly productions of 34.8, 34.9, 34.1, 32.7, and 30.6 ton ha⁻¹, respectively. The most productive white grapefruit cultivar was ‘Marsh Gardner’ (30.5 ton ha⁻¹). Grapefruit cultivars having the largest fruit size showed a higher inverse relationship between fruit weight and yield than those with small fruit. Most genotypes had higher values of fruit weight, juice content, and maturity index than those required by the local market. The most promising grapefruit cultivars based on their acceptable growth, yield superior to 30 ton ha⁻¹, and acceptable fruit color were ‘Río Red’, ‘Shambar’, ‘Ray Ruby’, and ‘Redblush #3’.     

Structural and physiological changes associated with the skin spot disorder in apple

Skin spot is an important physiological disorder of ‘Elstar’ apples (Malus × domestica Borkh.) that occurs after fruit have been removed from controlled atmosphere storage. Skin spots are irregular patches of small, round, brown blemishes. Cross-sections reveal a browning of protoplasts (coagulated) and of cell walls that extends into the hypodermis. Skin spots are always associated with linear, gaping and non-gaping microcracks in the cuticle. Staining of apple skin with calcofluor white usually results in white fluorescence of cell walls but, within a skin spot, the white fluorescence is weak or absent. Cell walls within, and in the immediate vicinity of skin spots stain with phloroglucin/HCl indicating the presence of lignin. The area of skin affected by skin spots was positively and linearly correlated with the area of the non-blush fruit surface infiltrated by acridine orange. In general, skin spots were limited to the non-blush fruit surface and occurred more frequently near the stem-end than the calyx region of the fruit. Skin spot areas were correlated with a 2.5-fold increase in water vapour permeability compared with unaffected areas (23.8 ± 4.0 m s⁻¹ with skin spots, 9.6 ± 2.1 × 10⁻⁵ m s⁻¹ without skin spots). Strips of the fruit skin from regions with skin spots had an increased maximum force and modulus of elasticity. Dipping fruit in ascorbic acid (0.1 or 0.3 mM for 10 min) before storage decreased the area affected by skin spots. There was no effect of dipping in ethanol/water (70%, v/v, 15 min) or in solutions of captan (1.5 g L⁻¹, 10 min) or trifloxystrobin (0.1 g L⁻¹, 10 min). In contrast, prestorage treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene (630 nL L⁻¹ for 24 h) or poststorage incubation in H₂O₂ (10% for 2, 6, 10 and 16 h) increased skin spots. Our data are consistent with a typical cell response to an oxidative burst that seems to be focussed on particular regions of the ‘Elstar’ fruit surface by concentrations of cuticular microcracks, and that is possibly caused by reoxygenation injury upon removal from CA storage.