Characterizations of Six Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Varieties of Global Commercial Interest in Morocco: Pomological, Organoleptic, Chemical and Biochemical Studies.

Pomegranate variety properties are important not only to demonstrate their diversity but also to satisfy the current market need for high-quality fruits. This study aims to characterize pomological and physico-chemical features as well as the antioxidant capacity of Moroccan local cultivars (Djeibi, Mersi, Sefri 1 and Sefri 2) compared to the imported ones (Mollar de Elche and Hicaz). The pomological characteristics of varieties were relatively diverse. The juice varieties (PJ) displayed a marketed variability in organoleptic and quality properties, such as the flavor, juice yield, and micro/macronutrients contents. Interrelationships among the analyzed properties and PJ varieties were investigated by principal component analysis (PCA). Dimension of the data set was reduced to two components by PCA accounting for 64.53% of the variability observed. The rinds varieties (PR) were studied for their total phenolics, flavonoids, and condensed tannins quantifications. PR varieties extracts exhibited different levels of free radical scavenging activity and local varieties revealed a greater potential with stability over time. The HPLC-DAD analyses of PR extracts revealed (+) catechin as the major compound, where the highest content was found for the local varieties. The SEC analysis showed the molecular weight distribution of phenolic compounds with a high size of condensed tannins formed by the polymerization of the catechin monomer. Given these properties, this research provides an easy selection of high-quality fruits as potential candidates for local market needs.

Assessment of calcium and zinc accumulation in cultivated and wild apples.

BACKGROUND: Apple is one of the staple fruits worldwide which are a good source of mineral nutrients. However, little is known about genetic variation for mineral nutrition in apple germplasm. In this study, the calcium and zinc contents in mature fruits of 378 apple cultivars and 39 wild relatives were assessed. Mineral concentrations were quantified using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). RESULTS: Both calcium and zinc accumulation showed great variation among accessions tested. Overall, wild fruits were significantly richer in zinc than cultivated fruits, while the average concentration of calcium was similar between cultivated and wild fruits. The difference in zinc concentration between wild and cultivated fruits may be an indirect result of artificial selection on fruit characteristics during apple domestication. Moreover, calcium concentration in fruit showed a decreasing trend throughout fruit development of apple, while zinc concentration in fruit displayed a complex variation pattern in the late stages of fruit development. CONCLUSION: The finding of a wild genetic variation for fruit calcium and zinc accumulation in apple germplasm could be helpful for future research on genetic dissection and improvement of calcium and zinc accumulation in apple fruit. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Elevating concentrations of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in hot peppers using recycled waste.

Five Capsicum accessions (PI 435916 and PI 438614 from Capsicum chinense; PI 370004 and Grif 9354 from C. baccatum and PI 438649 from C. annuum) were selected from the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service Capsicum germplasm collection to study the impact of four soil management practices: yard waste (YW), sewage sludge (SS), chicken manure (CM) and no-mulch (NM) bare soil on fruit concentrations of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, yield, plant size and mature fruit characteristics (fruit weight, length, width, and wall-thickness) of plants grown under these practices. Regardless of soil treatments, PI 438614 and PI 435916 contained the greatest concentrations of total capsaicinoids (capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin). Fruits of plants grown in soil mixed with SS contained the greatest concentrations of total capsaicinoids. Fruits of plants grown in SS or CM contained the greatest fruit weight. PI 438649 produced the greatest fruit weight, length and wall-thickness. The total marketable yield expressed as weight of fruit plants was significantly higher in soils mixed with SS and CM compared to those mixed with YW and NM soils.

Prediction of fruit characteristics of grafted plants of Camellia oleifera by deep neural networks.

BACKGROUND: Camellia oleifera, an essential woody oil tree in China, propagates through grafting. However, in production, it has been found that the interaction between rootstocks and scions may affect fruit characteristics. Therefore, it is necessary to predict fruit characteristics after grafting to identify suitable rootstock types. METHODS: This study used Deep Neural Network (DNN) methods to analyze the impact of 106 6-year-old grafting combinations on the characteristics of C.oleifera, including fruit and seed characteristics, and fatty acids. The prediction of characteristics changes after grafting was explored to provide technical support for the cultivation and screening of specialized rootstocks. After determining the unsaturated fat acids, palmitoleic acid C16:1, cis-11 eicosenoic acid C20:1, oleic acid C18:1, linoleic acid C18:2, linolenic acid C18:3, kernel oil content, fruit height, fruit diameter, fresh fruit weight, pericarp thickness, fresh seed weight, and the number of fresh seeds, the DNN method was used to calculate and analyze the model. The model was screened using the comprehensive evaluation index of Mean Absolute Error (MAPE), determinate correlation R2 and and time consumption. RESULTS: When using 36 neurons in 3 hidden layers, the deep neural network model had a MAPE of less than or equal to 16.39% on the verification set and less than or equal to 13.40% on the test set. Compared with traditional machine learning methods such as support vector machines and random forests, the DNN method demonstrated more accurate predictions for fruit phenotypic characteristics, with MAPE improvement rates of 7.27 and 3.28 for the 12 characteristics on the test set and maximum R2 improvement values of 0.19 and 0.33. In conclusion, the DNN method developed in this study can effectively predict the oil content and fruit phenotypic characteristics of C. oleifera, providing a valuable tool for predicting the impact of grafting combinations on the fruit of C. oleifera.

Fruit Photosynthesis: More to Know about Where, How and Why.

Not only leaves but also other plant organs and structures typically considered as carbon sinks, including stems, roots, flowers, fruits and seeds, may exhibit photosynthetic activity. There is still a lack of a coherent and systematized body of knowledge and consensus on the role(s) of photosynthesis in these "sink" organs. With regard to fruits, their actual photosynthetic activity is influenced by a range of properties, including fruit anatomy, histology, physiology, development and the surrounding microclimate. At early stages of development fruits generally contain high levels of chlorophylls, a high density of functional stomata and thin cuticles. While some plant species retain functional chloroplasts in their fruits upon subsequent development or ripening, most species undergo a disintegration of the fruit chloroplast grana and reduction in stomata functionality, thus limiting gas exchange. In addition, the increase in fruit volume hinders light penetration and access to CO2, also reducing photosynthetic activity. This review aimed to compile information on aspects related to fruit photosynthesis, from fruit characteristics to ecological drivers, and to address the following challenging biological questions: why does a fruit show photosynthetic activity and what could be its functions? Overall, there is a body of evidence to support the hypothesis that photosynthesis in fruits is key to locally providing: ATP and NADPH, which are both fundamental for several demanding biosynthetic pathways (e.g., synthesis of fatty acids); O2, to prevent hypoxia in its inner tissues including seeds; and carbon skeletons, which can fuel the biosynthesis of primary and secondary metabolites important for the growth of fruits and for spreading, survival and germination of their seed (e.g., sugars, flavonoids, tannins, lipids). At the same time, both primary and secondary metabolites present in fruits and seeds are key to human life, for instance as sources for nutrition, bioactives, oils and other economically important compounds or components. Understanding the functions of photosynthesis in fruits is pivotal to crop management, providing a rationale for manipulating microenvironmental conditions and the expression of key photosynthetic genes, which may help growers or breeders to optimize development, composition, yield or other economically important fruit quality aspects.

Assessment of the Fruit Chemical Characteristics and Antioxidant Activity of Different Mulberry Cultivars (Morus spp.) in Semi-Arid, Sandy Regions of China.

As a traditional cash crop with ecological and nutritional values, mulberry is gradually expanding its consumption worldwide due to its great regional adaptability and superior health functions. The widespread interest in nutrients has led to a growing need to explore in depth the health benefits of mulberries. Many studies are actively being conducted to investigate the adaptability of the diversity of mulberries in different applications. This study systematically investigated the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of four mulberry genotypes cultivated in China's semi-arid sandy regions to better understand the composition and health-promoting potential of this super crop. Chemical composition identification was identified via HPLC and antioxidant activity was further determined via DPPH and FRAP. The moisture, crude protein, ash, soluble solids, phenolics, anthocyanins, and flavonoids contents of mulberry were comparatively analyzed. The study revealed that the four mulberry genotypes showed significant differences in quality and content of the analyzed characteristics. The greatest antioxidant activity was found in Shensang 1, which had the most soluble solids (17%) and the highest amounts of free sugar (fructose: 5.14% and glucose: 5.46%). Ji'an had the most minerals (K: 2.35 mg/g, Ca: 2.27 mg/g, and Fe: 467.32 mg/kg) and it also contained chlorogenic acid, which has the potential to be turned into a natural hypoglycemic agent. PCA and Pearson correlation analysis indicated that the antioxidant activity was closely related to the chemical contents of total phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and soluble sugars. If the antioxidant activity and nutrient content of the developed plants are considered, Shen Sang 1 is the most favorable variety. This finding can be used to support the widespread cultivation of mulberries to prevent desertification as well as to promote the development of the mulberry industry.

Relationship between molecular markers and important fruit-related traits in almond (Prunus dulcis [Mill.] D.A. Webb syn. P. amygdalus Batsch) as revealed using multiple regression analysis (MRA).

Almond (Prunus dulcis [Mill.] D.A. Webb syn. P. amygdalus Batsch) is one of the most important nut crops, and its kernel is the edible part that has a high nutritional value and is used in the confectionery and cosmetics industries. The present research aimed to identify random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) molecular markers associated with important fruit traits in late-blooming almond genotypes through multiple regression analysis (MRA). The studied genotypes showed significant differences from each other in terms of the measured fruit-related traits. The ISSR primers used produced a total of 125 bands in the studied germplasm, of which 112 showed polymorphic bands. The RAPD primers produced a total of 190 DNA fragments, of which 172 fragments showed polymorphism among genotypes. Some polymorphic fragments of ISSR and RAPD showed significant correlations with the fruit traits measured. Some of these informative markers were associated with more than one trait, which could be caused by the pleiotropic effects of quantitative trait loci related to each other in different traits. For instance, some of the markers showed significant correlations with both nut weight and kernel weight, which indicates a positive correlation between these two traits. Informative markers identified in this study can be used to select suitable parents for population generation for mapping. It is also useful for selecting superior genotypes, especially when information about their genetic basis, such as a linkage map, is not available.

Variations in Pedicel Structural Properties Among Four Pear Species (Pyrus): Insights Into the Relationship Between the Fruit Characteristics and the Pedicel Structure.

Fruit pedicel is the bridge linking the parent tree and the fruit, which is an important channel for water and nutrients transport to the fruit. The genetic specificity determines the characteristics of the pedicel and the fruit, but the relationship between the pedicel structure and the fruit characteristics is unexplored. Combining the investigation of fruit characteristics, the statistical analysis of the pedicel structural properties, and the 2D and 3D anatomical observation of the pedicel, this study found distinctive contributions of the pedicel elements to the fruit characteristics in four pear species. The European pear (Conference) showed distinct fruit shape index and pedicel structural properties compared with the oriental pears (Akizuki, Yali, and Nanguoli). The fruit size positively correlated with pedicel length, fiber area, pedicel diameter, the area percentage of the cortex, and the area percentage of phloem; however, fruit firmness and soluble solids concentration are showed a stronger positive correlation with xylem area, pith area, the area percentage of xylem, the area percentage of sieve tube, and the area percentage of pith. Pedicel elements, including pith, fiber, and cortex, likely play a certain role in the fruit growth due to the variations of their characteristics demonstrated in the four pear species. The porosity, the ratio of the surface area to the volume, and the spatial arrangement of the vessels showed significant variations across the pear species, indicating the distinction of the hydraulic conductance of the pedicels. Our findings provided direct evidence that pedicel structural elements contributed distinctively to the fruit characteristics among pear species.

Identification of Metabolites Changes and Quality in Strawberry Fruit: Effect of Cultivation in High Tunnel and Open Field.

Strawberry has gained increasing popularity all over the world due to its fruit properties. This popularity is due to the phytochemicals that strawberries have. The aim of this study is to reveal the effect of cultivation in open field and high tunnel on agromorphological and biochemical properties of strawberries. In this study, fruit yield and fruit quality characteristics of some strawberry varieties grown in open field and high tunnel were investigated. The highest fruit yield, fruit weight and titratable acidity were obtained in high tunnel grown Albion cultivar (542.743 g/plant, 14.927 g/fruit and 1.047%, respectively). While there was no statistical difference between cultivars and treatments in terms of soluble solids content and pH, fruit count was higher in Albion and Kabarla cultivars in both treatments compared to other cultivars (p < 0.05). Among the phenolic compounds, gallic acid was determined to be higher (between 9.246−31.680 mg/100 g) than other phenolics. Considering the organic acid content, malic acid was determined as the dominant organic acid in Kabarla cultivar (870.729 mg/100 g). In addition, in terms of vitamin C content, Rubygem cultivar stood out in both applications. Phenolic compound and organic acid contents varied in terms of varieties and applications. As a result, strawberry fruit, which is an important fruit in terms of fruit quality and consumption diversity, has been found to have high phenolic compounds and organic acid content, although it varies in all varieties and applications.

Varietal Descriptors for the Distinction of Underutilized Varieties of Sechium edule (Jacq) Swartz.

Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw. (Cucurbitaceae) is a species native to Mexico and Central America. The collection, characterization, and evaluation of accessions maintained in genebanks is essential for the conservation of this species. However, there are no specific varietal descriptors that differ from those used in a phenetic approach and are adapted to international registration guidelines to help distinguish, improve, cluster, and protect intraspecific variants of common use and those obtained by breeding. Therefore, 65 morphological descriptors (qualitative and quantitative) were evaluated in 133 accessions obtained from Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica located in the National Germplasm Bank of S. edule in Mexico. These characteristics were observed to be phenetically stable for five generations under the same agroclimatic conditions. In addition, an analysis of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) was applied to 133 samples from a set of 245 accessions. According to the multivariate analysis, 26 of the 65 descriptors evaluated (qualitative and quantitative) enabled differentiation of varieties of S. edule. The AFLP analysis showed a high level of polymorphism and genetic distance between cultivated accessions and their corresponding wild ancestor. The variations in S. edule suggest that the morphological characteristics have differentiated from an essentially derived initial edible variety (ancestral original variety), but unlike other cucurbits, there is no evidence of the ancestral edible for Sechium since the seed is unorthodox and there are no relicts.

Interactions between fleshy fruits and frugivores in a tropical seasonal forest in Thailand.

Large frugivores are considered to be important seed dispersers for many tropical plant species. Their roles as seed dispersers are not well known in Southeast Asia, where degraded landscapes typically lack these animals. Interactions between 259 (65 families) vertebrate-dispersed fruits and frugivorous animals (including 7 species of bulbul, 1 species of pigeon, 4 species of hornbill, 2 species of squirrel, 3 species of civet, 2 species of gibbon, 1 species of macaque, 2 species of bear, 2 species of deer, and 1 species of elephant) were studied for 3 years in a tropical seasonal forest in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. The purpose was to examine the dietary overlaps among the large frugivores and the characteristics of fruits they consumed. Most fruit species are eaten by various kinds of frugivores; no close relationship between a particular fruit and a frugivore was found. The number of frugivore groups that served a given plant species was negatively correlated with seed size. Additionally, the fruit/seed diameters consumed by bulbuls were significantly smaller than consumed by the other nine groups. These trends of fruit characteristics were consistent with those observed elsewhere in Southeast Asia: small fruits and large, soft fruits with many small seeds are consumed by a wide spectrum of frugivores while larger fruits with a single large seed are consumed by relatively few potential dispersers. Importantly, these large, single-seed fruits are not consumed by the small frugivores that thrive in small forest fragments and degraded areas in Southeast Asia. To insure the natural seed dispersal process in the forest, an evaluation of all frugivore groups in the forest is urgently needed in Southeast Asia.

Fruit Characteristics of Species Dispersed by the Black Lemur (Eulemur macaco) in the Lokobe Forest, Madagascar.

ABSTRACT: I describe the fruit characteristics of species closely associated with black lemur seed dispersal (i.e., species that are often dispersed by die black lemur and only dispersed by the black lemur in die Lokobe Forest). A black lemur group was habituated and observed during the day and night for all months of die year (total 1272 h). When fruits were eaten, die plant species was identified, die maturity of the fruit and treatment of the seeds noted, and the fruit described in terms of ripe fruit color, husk thickness, fruit length, and seed length and width. Black lemur feces were searched for seeds; these were identified and signs of damage noted. Other potential dispersers feeding on the fruits of species eaten by the black lemur were also noted. The black lemurs were seen eating die fruits of 70 species. Of these, 51 species were defined as closely associated with black lemur dispersal and 16 species had seeds that were either often preyed upon or wasted by the black lemur, or were seen being eaten by other potential seed dispersers. Fruits of species in the former group were often dull colored (94% of species); rarely less than 1 cm long (6%); rarely had seeds less than 0.1 cm long or less than 0.1 cm wide (2 and 4%, respectively); never had seeds more than 4 cm long or greater than 2 cm wide; and quite often had either thick husks (49%) or thin husks (51%). In contrast, the fruits of the latter group were often brightly colored (75% of species) and nearly always had a thin husk (94%). Also, this latter group included more small and very large fruits and seeds than the former group. Fruit characteristics significantly associated with the former group were: dull color, thick husk, fruit length greater than 2 cm, seed length 1-4 cm, and seed width 1-2 cm. The extent to which these traits are the result of coevolution between plants and the guild of lemur dispersers that includes the black lemur is not clear, but a coevolved lemur-fruit syndrome remains a possibility. RESUMES: Cette étude porte sur la description des caracteristiques des fruits appartenant aux espèces dont la dissemination des graines est étroitement liée au Eulemur macaco. Ces espèces sont definies comme étant souvent disséminees par E. macaco et uniquement disséminées par E. macaco dans la for○t de Lokobe. Dans le but d'identifier ces espéces, un groupe de E. macaco a été habituéà la présence humaine et observé jour et nuit pendant tous les mois de 1'année (en total 1272 h). Une fois le fruit consommé, I'espèce était identifyée, la maturityé du fruit ainsi que le traitement de la graine notés et le fruit était dàcrit en termé de couleur á maturityé, d'épaisseur de I'enveloppe, de longueur de fruit et de longueur et de largeur de graine. Par la suite, les féces sont recherchés afin d'identifier les graines qu'ils contiennent et routes signes d'endommagement de celles-ci sont notés. Les autres agents de dissémination potentiels, consomma-teurs des fruits appartenant aux espèces consommées par E. macaco, ont étéégalement notés. Les E. macaco ont été vu consommer les fruits de 70 espèces. De ces dernières, 51 espèces étaient définies comm.éaetant étroitement liées à la dissémination par E. macaco et les graines de 16 espèces sont soit consommées, soit gaspillées par E. macaco, soit ont été vu consommées par d'autres agents de dissémination potentiels. Les fruits des espèces appartenant au groupe précédent sont souvent d'une couleur sombre (94% des espèces), d'une longueur rarement < 1 cm (6%), avaient rarement des fruits < 0.1 cm de long ou < 0.1 cm de large (2 et 4% respectivement) et n'ont jamais des graines > 4 cm de long ou > 2 cm de large, et presque souvent avaient une enveloppe épaisse (49%) et presque souvent une enveloppe mince (51%). Par contre, les fruits du dernier groupe sont souvent d'une couleur claire (75% des espèces) 'et presque toujours ont une enveloppe mince (94%). De plus, ce groupe inclut plus de petits et de très larges fruits et graines que le premier groupe. Les classes des caractéristiques des fruits significativement associées au premier groupe sont: couleur sombre, enveloppe épaisse, longueur de fruit >2 cm, longueur de graine 1-4 cm, et largeur de graine 1-2 cm. Cependant, 1'importance du ro̧le joué par la coévolution entre les plantes et le groupe des lémuriens disséminateurs, comprennant Eulemur m., dans le développement des caractéristiques de ces fruits n'est pas connue.

Organic acids, sugars, vitamin C content and some pomological characteristics of eleven hawthorn species (Crataegus spp) from Turkey

BACKGROUND: The Hawthorn (Crateagus sp.) mostly occurs around the temperate region of the world with a high number of species, producing a fruit with numerous beneficial effects for human health. The aim of the study was to determine organic acid and sugar contents in the fruit of a number of hawthorn species grown in Erzincan province of Turkey. RESULTS: Citric acid was the predominant organic acid in all hawthorn species and C. pseudoheterophylla had the highest citric acid content (23.688 g/100 g). There were not statistically significant differences among hawthorn species (except C. atrosanguinea Pojark) in terms of fumaric acid content. C. pontica C.Koch had a higher content of vitamin C (9.418 mg/100 g) compared to other species. Fructose was the predominant sugar component in all species and C. monogyna subsp. monogyna Joiq had the highest fructose content (18.378 g/100 g). CONCLUSIONS: The high fruit quality of the studied species indicates the importance of this fruit in human nutrition as a natural source. The study revealed that there were differences in terms of fruit characteristics among hawthorn species and thus better quality hawthorn genotypes can be selected within the species. Hence, this study is considered to be a valuable reference for forthcoming studies. The high fruit quality of the studied species indicates the importance of this fruit in human nutrition as a natural source.