The MYB transcription factor PpMYB5 regulates Pp4CL1/Pp4CL2 expression to promote lignin biosynthesis of fruit russeting in the flat nectarine.

KEY MESSAGE: Transcription factor PpMYB5 promotes lignin synthesis by directly binding to the Pp4CL1/Pp4CL2 promoter and affecting their expression, which may be related to nectarine russeting formation. Nectarine russeting is usually considered to be a non-invasive physiological disease that usually occurs on late-maturing cultivars and seriously affects their appearance quality and commercial value. The cause of nectarine fruit rust is currently unknown. In this study, we compared two flat nectarine cultivars, 'zhongyoupanweidi' (HD; russeting-free cultivar) and 'zhongyoupanweihou' (TH; russeting-prone cultivar), with respect to nectarine russeting by means of microscopy, transcriptomics, and hormone analysis. Compared to HD fruits, TH fruits had a broken cuticle, missing wax layer, and heavy lignin deposition. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed significant alternations in the expression of genes related to lignin synthesis. Moreover, structure genes Pp4CL1 and Pp4CL2, MYB transcription factor (TF) gene PpMYB5 were identified through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Molecular experiments and transgenic evidence suggested that PpMYB5 regulates Pp4CL1/Pp4CL2 expression to promote lignin synthesis. Overall, in addition to providing new insights into the formation of mechanisms for nectarine russeting, our study also establishes a foundation for nectarine russeting prevention.

Time course of changes in the transcriptome during russet induction in apple fruit.

BACKGROUND: Russeting is a major problem in many fruit crops. Russeting is caused by environmental factors such as wounding or moisture exposure of the fruit surface. Despite extensive research, the molecular sequence that triggers russet initiation remains unclear. Here, we present high-resolution transcriptomic data by controlled russet induction at very early stages of fruit development. During Phase I, a patch of the fruit surface is exposed to surface moisture. For Phase II, moisture exposure is terminated, and the formerly exposed surface remains dry. We targeted differentially expressed transcripts as soon as 24 h after russet induction. RESULTS: During moisture exposure (Phase I) of 'Pinova' apple, transcripts associated with the cell cycle, cell wall, and cuticle synthesis (SHN3) decrease, while those related to abiotic stress increase. NAC35 and MYB17 were the earliest induced genes during Phase I. They are therefore linked to the initial processes of cuticle microcracking. After moisture removal (Phase II), the expression of genes related to meristematic activity increased (WOX4 within 24 h, MYB84 within 48 h). Genes related to lignin synthesis (MYB52) and suberin synthesis (MYB93, WRKY56) were upregulated within 3 d after moisture removal. WOX4 and AP2B3 are the earliest differentially expressed genes induced in Phase II. They are therefore linked to early events in periderm formation. The expression profiles were consistent between two different seasons and mirrored differences in russet susceptibility in a comparison of cultivars. Furthermore, expression profiles during Phase II of moisture induction were largely identical to those following wounding. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of a unique controlled russet induction technique with high-resolution transcriptomic data allowed for the very first time to analyse the formation of cuticular microcracks and periderm in apple fruit immediately after the onset of triggering factors. This data provides valuable insights into the spatial-temporal dynamics of russeting, including the synthesis of cuticles, dedifferentiation of cells, and impregnation of cell walls with suberin and lignin.

PpyMYB144 transcriptionally regulates pear fruit skin russeting by activating the cytochrome P450 gene PpyCYP86B1.

MAIN CONCLUSION: PpyMYB144 directly activates the promoter of PpyCYP86B1, promotes the synthesis of α, ω-diacids, and involves in pear fruit skin russeting. Russeting is an economically important surface disorder in pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) fruit. Previous research has demonstrated that suberin is the pivotal chemical component contributing to pear fruit skin russeting, and fruit bagging treatment effectively reduces the amount of suberin of fruits, and thereby reduces the russeting phenotype. However, the mechanisms of pear fruit skin russeting remain largely unclear, particularly the transcriptional regulation. Here, we dissected suberin concentration and composition of pear fruits along fruit development and confirmed that α, ω-diacids are the predominant constituents in russeted pear fruit skins. Two cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP) family genes (PpyCYP86A1 and PpyCYP86B1) and nine MYB genes were isolated from pear fruit. Expressions of PpyCYP86A1, PpyCYP86B1, and five MYB genes (PpyMYB34, PpyMYB138, PpyMYB138-like, PpyMYB139, and PpyMYB144) were up-regulated during fruit russeting and showed significant correlations with the changes of α, ω-diacids. In addition, dual-luciferase assays indicated that PpyMYB144 could trans-activate the promoter of PpyCYP86B1, and the activation was abolished by motif mutagenesis of AC element on the PpyCYP86B1 promoter. Further, Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression of PpyCYP86B1 and PpyMYB144 in pear fruits induced the deposition of aliphatic suberin. Thus, PpyMYB144 is a novel direct activator of PpyCYP86B1 and contributes to pear fruit skin russeting.

Dissecting the molecular mechanism of russeting in sand pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai) by metabolomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics.

Brown coloration and a rough appearance as russet and semi-russet (partial russet) are features unique to the popular Asian sand pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai). The degree of russeting is different between different genotypes. Russeting is sensitive to water fluctuations, where excessive rainwater can trigger/stimulate its development. However, the molecular mechanism of russeting is currently unclear. Here, we employed multi-omics, i.e., metabolomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, and analyzed the effect of different sand pear genotypes and artificial rainfall on russeting of pear fruits. This led to the identification of 79, 64, and 29 differentially produced/expressed metabolites, transcripts, and proteins that are involved in the biosynthesis of suberin, phenylpropane, cutin, and waxes. Further analysis of these differentially expressed genes and their encoded proteins revealed that four of them exhibited high expression at both transcript and protein levels. Transient expression of one such gene, PbHHT1 (accession number 103966555), which encodes ω-hydroxypalmitate-O-feruloyl transferase, in young green non-russet fruits triggered premature suberization in the russeting pear genotypes. This coincided with increased production of 16-feruloyloxypalmitic acid, a conjugated compound between phenols and esters during the polymerization for suberin formation. Collectively, our data from the combined three omics demonstrate that russeting in sand pear is a complex process involving the biosynthesis and transport of suberin and many other secondary metabolites.

Comparative effects of gibberellin A3 , glycine betaine, and Si, Ca, and K fertilizers on physiological disorders and yield of pomegranate cv. Wonderful.

BACKGROUND: Damage from cracking, russeting, and sunscalds causes significant yield losses in pomegranate worldwide and may result from stressful environmental conditions. Although foliar sprays with minerals or growth regulators could be an important orchard management, little is known on the effectiveness of glycine betaine, silicon (Si)-based fertilizers or the response of cv. Wonderful to gibberellin A3 (GA3 ). RESULTS: During a 2-year study, foliar spraying with GA3 at 75 or 150 mg L-1 applied in July substantially reduced cracking, russeting, and sunscald symptoms and increased fruit size, yield, and 100-aril weight, without affecting the % edible portion or % juice, suggesting that arils and skin increased similarly. Nevertheless, they reduced the skin red coloration, especially at the higher dose. GA3 at 75 mg L-1 applied in September resulted in a low number of harvested fruit as a result of delayed maturation. Spraying with glycine betaine at seven repeated times at biweekly intervals starting in July, reduced sunscald symptoms, red coloration, and maturity index only in the year with high damage. Foliar sprays with calcium chloride or Si-based fertilizer containing potassium, applied as in the glycine betaine treatment, did not affect the occurrence of physiological disorders, whereas Si-based fertilizer containing potassium and calcium increased cracking and decreased sunscald only in the year with high damage. CONCLUSION: Spraying with GA3 at 75 mg L-1 in July could have a significant impact on a grower's income by reducing damage from physiological disorders, improving yield with a minimum decrease in red skin coloration. The efficacy of nutrient-related fertilizers and glycine betaine were not constant, and this would be useful to evaluate at earlier application times and under stress conditions. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

An Integrated Transcriptome and Proteome Analysis Reveals New Insights into Russeting of Bagging and Non-Bagging "Golden Delicious" Apple.

Apple skin russeting naturally occurs in many varieties, particularly in "Golden Delicious" and its pedigree, and is regarded as a non-invasive physiological disorder partly caused by excessive deposition of lignin. However, the understanding of its molecular mechanism is still limited. In this study, we used iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation) and RNA-seq to detect the changes in the expression levels of genes and proteins in three developmental stages of russeting formation, in russeted (non-bagging) and non-russeted (bagging) skin of "Golden Delicious" apple. 2856 differentially expressed genes and 942 differentially expressed proteins in the comparison groups were detected at the transcript level and protein level, respectively. A correlation analysis of the transcriptomics and proteomics data revealed that four genes (MD03G1059200, MD08G1009200, MD17G1092400, and MD17G1225100) involved in lignin biosynthesis are significant changed during apple russeting formation. Additionally, 92 transcription factors, including 4 LIM transcription factors, may be involved in apple russeting formation. Among them, one LIM transcription factor (MD15G1068200) was capable of binding to the PAL-box like (CCACTTGAGTAC) element, which indicated it was potentially involved in lignin biosynthesis. This study will provide further views on the molecular mechanisms controlling apple russeting formation.

MdMyb93 is a regulator of suberin deposition in russeted apple fruit skins.

A comparison of the transcriptomes of russeted vs nonrusseted apple skins previously highlighted a tight relationship between a gene encoding an MYB-type transcription factor, MdMYB93, and some key suberin biosynthetic genes. The present work assesses the role of this transcription factor in the suberization process. A phylogenetic analysis of MdMYB93 and Arabidopsis thaliana MYBs was performed and the function of MdMYB93 was further investigated using Agrobacterium-mediated transient overexpression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. An RNA-Seq analysis was performed to highlight the MdMYB93-regulated genes. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography-triple time-of-flight (UPLC-TripleTOF) and GC-MS were used to investigate alterations in phenylpropanoid, soluble-free lipid and lipid polyester contents. A massive accumulation of suberin and its biosynthetic precursors in MdMYB93 agroinfiltrated leaves was accompanied by a remobilization of phenylpropanoids and an increased amount of lignin precursors. Gene expression profiling displayed a concomitant alteration of lipid and phenylpropanoid metabolism, cell wall development, and extracellular transport, with a large number of induced transcripts predicted to be involved in suberin deposition. The present work supports a major role of MdMYB93 in the regulation of suberin deposition in russeted apple skins, from the synthesis of monomeric precursors, their transport, polymerization, and final deposition as suberin in primary cell wall.

PpyLTP36 and PpyLTP39 are involved in the transmembrane transport of cuticular wax and are associated with the occurrence of pear fruit russeting.

Non-specific lipid-transfer proteins (nsLTPs) are a group of small, cysteine-rich proteins that are involved in the transport of cuticular wax and other lipid compounds. Accumulating evidence suggests that dynamic changes in cuticular waxes are strongly associated with fruit russeting, an undesirable visual quality that negatively affects consumer appeal in pears. Currently, the regulatory role of nsLTPs in cuticular wax deposition and pear fruit skin russeting remains unclear. Here, we characterized the variations of cuticular waxes in non-treated (russeted) and preharvest bagging treated (non-russeted) pear fruits throughout fruit development and confirmed that the contents of cuticular waxes were significantly negatively correlated with the occurrence of pear fruit russeting. Based on RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses, two nsLTP genes (PpyLTP36 and PpyLTP39) were identified, which exhibited high expression levels in non-russeted pear fruit skins and were significantly repressed during fruit skin russeting. Subcellular localization analysis demonstrated that PpyLTP36 and PpyLTP39 were localized to the plasma membrane (PM). Further, transient Virus-Induced Gene Silencing (VIGS) analyses of PpyLTP36 and PpyLTP39 in pear fruits significantly reduced cuticular wax deposition. In conclusion, PpyLTP36 and PpyLTP39 are involved in the transmembrane transport of cuticular wax and are associated with pear fruit skin russeting.

Epigenetic Modifications Related to Potato Skin Russeting.

Potato tuber skin is a protective corky tissue consisting of suberized phellem cells. Smooth-skinned varieties are characterized by a clean, shiny appearance compared to the darker hue of russeted potatoes. The rough skin of russeted cultivars is a desired, genetically inherited characteristic; however, unwanted russeting of smooth-skinned cultivars often occurs under suboptimal growth conditions. The involvement of epigenetic modifiers in regulating the smooth skin russeting disorder was tested. We used smooth-skin commercial cultivars with and without the russeting disorder and three lines from a breeding population segregating for russeting. Anatomically, the russet skin showed similar characteristics, whether the cause was environmentally triggered or genetically determined. The old outer layers of the corky phellem remain attached to the newly formed phellem layers instead of being sloughed off. Global DNA methylation analysis indicated a significant reduction in the percentage of 5-methylcytosine in mature vs. immature skin and russet vs. smooth skin. This was true for both the smooth-skin commercial cultivars and the russeted lines. The expression level of selected DNA methyltransferases was reduced in accordance. DNA demethylase expression did not change between the skin types and age. Hence, the reduced DNA methylation in mature and russet skin is more likely to be achieved through passive DNA demethylation and loss of methyltransferase activity.

Characterization of MdMYB68, a suberin master regulator in russeted apples.

Introduction: Apple russeting is mainly due to the accumulation of suberin in the cell wall in response to defects and damages in the cuticle layer. Over the last decades, massive efforts have been done to better understand the complex interplay between pathways involved in the suberization process in model plants. However, the regulation mechanisms which orchestrate this complex process are still under investigation. Our previous studies highlighted a number of transcription factor candidates from the Myeloblastosis (MYB) transcription factor family which might regulate suberization in russeted or suberized apple fruit skin. Among these, we identified MdMYB68, which was co-expressed with number of well-known key suberin biosynthesis genes. Method: To validate the MdMYB68 function, we conducted an heterologous transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana combined with whole gene expression profiling analysis (RNA-Seq), quantification of lipids and cell wall monosaccharides, and microscopy. Results: MdMYB68 overexpression is able to trigger the expression of the whole suberin biosynthesis pathway. The lipid content analysis confirmed that MdMYB68 regulates the deposition of suberin in cell walls. Furthermore, we also investigated the alteration of the non-lipid cell wall components and showed that MdMYB68 triggers a massive modification of hemicelluloses and pectins. These results were finally supported by the microscopy. Discussion: Once again, we demonstrated that the heterologous transient expression in N. benthamiana coupled with RNA-seq is a powerful and efficient tool to investigate the function of suberin related transcription factors. Here, we suggest MdMYB68 as a new regulator of the aliphatic and aromatic suberin deposition in apple fruit, and further describe, for the first time, rearrangements occurring in the carbohydrate cell wall matrix, preparing this suberin deposition.

Potato Periderm Development and Tuber Skin Quality.

The periderm is a corky tissue that replaces the epidermis when the latter is damaged, and is critical for preventing pathogen invasion and water loss. The periderm is formed through the meristematic activity of phellogen cells (cork cambium). The potato skin (phellem cells) composes the outer layers of the tuber periderm and is a model for studying cork development. Early in tuber development and following tuber expansion, the phellogen becomes active and produces the skin. New skin layers are continuously added by division of the phellogen cells until tuber maturation. Some physiological disorders of the potato tuber are related to abnormal development of the skin, including skinning injuries and russeting of smooth-skinned potatoes. Thus, characterizing the potato periderm contributes to modeling cork development in plants and helps to resolve critical agricultural problems. Here, we summarize the data available on potato periderm formation, highlighting tissue characteristics rather than the suberization processes.

Transcriptome and metabolome analyses reveal phenotype formation differences between russet and non-russet apples.

The apple is an economically important fruit, and fruit russeting is not conducive to its appearance. Although studies have examined fruit russeting, its mechanism remains unclear. Two apple strains of the F1 hybrid population derived from 'Fuji' and 'Golden Delicious' were used in this study. We found that the skin of russet apples was rough and fissured, while that of non-russet apples was smooth and waxy. Chemical staining, LC- and GC-MS showed that both lignin and suberin were increased in russet apple skin. Meanwhile, genes involved in lignin and suberin synthetic pathways were upregulated in russet apple skin. Additionally, we found many differentially expressed genes (DEGs1) involved in hormone biosynthesis and signaling and stress responses in the two apple strains. We found that WRKY13 may influence russeting by regulating lignin synthesis. Our study identified several candidate metabolites and genes, which will provide a good foundation for further research.

Advances in Understanding the Causes, Molecular Mechanism, and Perspectives of Russeting on Tree Fruit.

The external quality of fruit is one of its most important qualities; good external quality attracts consumers easily and increases the value of fruit. Fruit russeting is one of the factors that influences the external quality of fruit and has been studied in most horticultural plants. However, the molecular mechanism of russeting has never been discussed so far. In this review, we summarize the research progress on fruit russeting, including causes, microscopic histomorphology, composition, genetics, and regulation and made a series of elaboration on the current research on fruit russeting. This study aims to provide insights into the mechanisms underlying fruit russeting. It also puts forward ideas for research on fruit russeting, which may provide a reference for future research.

Identification of Novel Candidate Genes Involved in Apple Cuticle Integrity and Russeting-Associated Triterpene Synthesis Using Metabolomic, Proteomic, and Transcriptomic Data.

Apple russeting develops on the fruit surface when skin integrity has been lost. It induces a modification of fruit wax composition, including its triterpene profile. In the present work, we studied two closely related apple varieties, 'Reinette grise du Canada' and 'Reinette blanche du Canada', which display russeted and non-russeted skin phenotypes, respectively, during fruit development. To better understand the molecular events associated with russeting and the differential triterpene composition, metabolomics data were generated using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) and combined with proteomic and transcriptomic data. Our results indicated lower expression of genes linked to cuticle biosynthesis (cutin and wax) in russet apple throughout fruit development, along with an alteration of the specialized metabolism pathways, including triterpene and phenylpropanoid. We identified a lipid transfer protein (LTP3) as a novel player in cuticle formation, possibly involved in the transport of both cutin and wax components in apple skin. Metabolomic data highlighted for the first time a large diversity of triterpene-hydroxycinnamates in russeted tissues, accumulation of which was highly correlated with suberin-related genes, including some enzymes belonging to the BAHD (HXXXD-motif) acyltransferase family. Overall, this study increases our understanding about the crosstalk between triterpene and suberin pathways.

Irrigation Effect on Yield, Skin Blemishes, Phellem Formation, and Total Phenolics of Red Potatoes.

Dark Red Norland is an important potato cultivar in the fresh market due to its attractive bright, red colour, and good yield. However, skin blemishes such as silver patch, surface cracking, and russeting can negatively influence the tuber skin quality and marketability. It is well known that potato is a drought-sensitive plant. This study was conducted to determine whether irrigation would affect Dark Red Norland's yield and skin quality. A three-year field trial was conducted by Peak of the Market in Manitoba, Canada. Plants were treated under both irrigation and rainfed conditions. The results show that irrigation increased the total yield by 20.6% and reduced the severity of surface cracking by 48.5%. Microscopy imaging analysis demonstrated that tubers from the rainfed trials formed higher numbers of suberized cell layers than those of the irrigated potatoes, with a difference of 0.360 to 0.652 layers in normal skins. Surface cracking and silver patch skins had more suberized cell layers than the normal skins, with ranges of 7.805 to 8.333 and 7.740 to 8.496, respectively. A significantly higher amount of total polyphenols was found in the irrigated samples with a mean of 77.30 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g fresh weight (fw) than that of the rainfed samples (69.80 mg GAE/100 g fw). The outcome of this study provides a better understanding of the water regime effect causing these skin blemishes, which could potentially be used to establish strategies to improve tuber skin quality and minimize market losses.

MdMYB52 regulates lignin biosynthesis upon the suberization process in apple.

Our previous studies, comparing russeted vs. waxy apple skin, highlighted a MYeloBlastosys (Myb) transcription factor (MdMYB52), which displayed a correlation with genes associated to the suberization process. The present article aims to assess its role and function in the suberization process. Phylogenetic analyses and research against Arabidopsis thaliana MYBs database were first performed and the tissue specific expression of MdMYB52 was investigated using RT-qPCR. The function of MdMYB52 was further investigated using Agrobacterium-mediated transient overexpression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. An RNA-Seq analysis was performed to highlight differentially regulated genes in response MdMYB52. Transcriptomic data were supported by analytical chemistry and microscopy. A massive decreased expression of photosynthetic and primary metabolism pathways was observed with a concomitant increased expression of genes associated with phenylpropanoid and lignin biosynthesis, cell wall modification and senescence. Interestingly key genes involved in the synthesis of suberin phenolic components were observed. The analytical chemistry displayed a strong increase in the lignin content in the cell walls during MdMYB52 expression. More specifically, an enrichment in G-Unit lignin residues was observed, supporting transcriptomic data as well as previous work describing the suberin phenolic domain as a G-unit enriched lignin-like polymer. The time-course qPCR analysis revealed that the observed stress response, might be explain by this lignin biosynthesis and by a possible programmed senescence triggered by MdMYB52. The present work supports a crucial regulatory role for MdMYB52 in the biosynthesis of the suberin phenolic domain and possibly in the fate of suberized cells in russeted apple skins.

QTL Analysis and CAPS Marker Development Linked with Russet in Pear (Pyrus spp.).

The fruit skin types of pear (Pyrus spp.) are divided into russet, smooth, and intermediate. One of the important traits in pear breeding programs is russet on pear fruit skin because it affects the commercial value. In the present study, a high-density genetic linkage map of 'Whangkeumbae' (smooth) × 'Minibae' (russet) was constructed. In addition, quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was performed to identify russet related QTL and develop a cleaved amplified polymorphism sequence (CAPS) marker. Together with SNPs derived from Axiom Pear 70K Genotyping Array and genotyping-by-sequencing derived SNPs and SSRs generated in previous study, an integrated genetic linkage map of 'Whangkeumbae' × 'Minibae' was constructed. A total of 1263 markers were anchored in 17 linkage groups (LGs) with a total genetic distance of 1894.02 cM and an average marker density of 1.48 cM. The chromosome coverage of 'Whangkeumbae' × 'Minibae' map was improved because the SNPs derived from Axiom Pear 70K Genotyping Array were anchored. QTL analysis was performed using previous russet phenotype data evaluated with russet coverage and Hunter a. As a result of QTL analysis, russet coverage- and Hunter a-related QTLs were identified in LG8 of the 'Whangkeumbae' × 'Minibae' map, and SNPs located in the QTL region were heterozygous in the 'Minibae'. Although the russet coverage- and Hunter a-related QTLs were commonly detected in LG8, the logarithm of odds values of SNPs in the QTL region were higher in QTL related to russet coverage than to Hunter a. The CAPS marker (CBp08ca01) was developed using an array SNP located in the russet coverage related QTL, and the genotype of CBp08ca01 showed a 1:1 ratio in 'Whangkeumbae' × 'Minibae' (χ2 = 0.65, p > 0.05). 'Whangkeumbae' and 'Minibae' were thought to have rr and Rr genotypes, respectively, and the genetic factors controlling the russet formation might be located in chromosome 8. The CBp08ca01 was able to select F1 individuals with less than 30% russet coverage. Thus, it will be a useful tool for marker-assisted selection in pears.

An integrated metabolic and transcriptomic analysis reveals the mechanism through which fruit bagging alleviates exocarp semi-russeting in pear fruit.

Fruit semi-russeting is an undesirable quality trait that occurs in fruit production. It is reported that preharvest fruit bagging could effectively alleviate fruit exocarp semi-russeting, but the physiological and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we performed an in-depth investigation into pear fruit semi-russeting from morphologic, metabolic and transcriptomic perspectives by comparing control (semi-russeted) and bagged (non-russeted) 'Cuiguan' pear fruits. The results showed that significant changes in cutin and suberin resulted in pear fruit semi-russeting. Compared with the skin of bagged fruits, the skin of the control fruits presented reduced cutin contents accompanied by an accumulation of suberin, which resulted in fruit semi-russeting; α, ω-dicarboxylic acids accounted for the largest proportion of typical suberin monomers. Moreover, combined transcriptomic and metabolic analysis revealed a series of genes involved in cutin and suberin biosynthesis, transport and polymerization differentially expressed between the two groups. Furthermore, the expression levels of genes involved in the stress response and in hormone biosynthesis and signaling were significantly altered in fruits with contrasting phenotypes. Finally, a number of transcription factors, including those of the MYB, NAC, bHLH and bZIP families, were differentially expressed. Taken together, the results suggest that the multilayered mechanism through which bagging alleviates pear fruit semi-russeting is complex, and the large number of candidate genes identified provides a good foundation for future functional studies.

Physiological Disorders and Fruit Quality Attributes in Pomegranate: Effects of Meteorological Parameters, Canopy Position and Acetylsalicylic Acid Foliar Sprays.

Meteorological parameters and occurrences of cracking (CR), russeting (RS), and sun scald (SS) symptoms were monitored in a pomegranate cv. "Wonderful" orchard planted in a W-E orientation, during a 3-year study. Moreover, the efficacy of preharvest foliar sprays with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA; 0.5 mM or 1.0 mM), applied biweekly four to six times, on yield and fruit quality attributes were evaluated in a 2-year study. Fruit from the N-side of the canopy had greater CR and RS, whereas SS symptoms were lower, compared with the S-exposed part of the canopy. The N-side of the canopy had also substantially lower fruit number and yield, suggesting for an important role of light on bisexual flower formation and/or fruit set. Following the occurrences in CR and RS during the fruit maturation period, it was found that temperature fluctuation was the main cause. The presence of RS damages may also be related with increased relative humidity and water movement as symptoms were higher in years with higher values, in the N-side of the canopy and often occurred in the exposed and stylar end of the fruit. The ASA treatment substantially reduced RS by up to 57%, improved the peel red coloration, while anthocyanin, antioxidant capacity, and soluble solid contents in juice were higher. Foliar sprays with ASA did not affect yield, but induced a trend of bigger-sized fruit. In conclusion, planting in a N-S row orientation and selecting an orchard plantation site with a minimum temperature fluctuation and low relative humidity during the fruit-ripening period are measures to control CR and RS in pomegranate. ASA foliar applications proved to have beneficial effects on juice antioxidant contents, but more importantly on fruit appearance.

Russeting in Apple Is Initiated After Exposure to Moisture Ends-I. Histological Evidence.

Russeting (periderm formation) is a critical fruit-surface disorder in apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.). The first symptom of insipient russeting is cuticular microcracking. Humid and rainy weather increases russeting. The aim was to determine the ontogeny of moisture-induced russeting in 'Pinova' apple. We recorded the effects of duration of exposure to water and the stage of fruit development at exposure on microcracking, periderm formation and cuticle deposition. Early on (21 or 31 days after full bloom; DAFB) short periods (2 to 12 d) of moisture exposure induced cuticular microcracking-but not later on (66 or 93 DAFB). A periderm was not formed during moisture exposure but 4 d after exposure ended. A periderm was formed in the hypodermis beneath a microcrack. Russeting frequency and severity were low for up to 4 d of moisture exposure but increased after 6 d. Cuticle thickness was not affected by moisture for up to 8 d but decreased for longer exposures. Cuticular ridge thickness decreased around a microcrack. In general, moisture did not affect cuticular strain release. We conclude that a hypodermal periderm forms after termination of moisture exposure and after microcrack formation. Reduced cuticle deposition may cause moisture-induced microcracking and, thus, russeting.