Advances in Fruit Development and Quality: Genetic, Environmental, and Agronomic Insights

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Horticultural and Floricultural Crops".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 3138

Editors


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Guest Editor
Apple Research Center, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Gunwi-gun, Daegu 43100, Republic of Korea
Interests: plant molecular biology; fruit quality; horticulture; plant physiology; plant genetics; plant nutrition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Apple Research Center, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Gunwi-gun, Daegu 43100, Republic of Korea
Interests: plant molecular biology; horticulture; plant physiology; fruit quality; gene expression

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fruit development, quality, and coloration are complex traits influenced by environmental conditions, genetic factors, agronomic practices, or their synergistic interaction. As consumer demand for nutritious, visually appealing, and high-quality fruits continues to rise, uncovering the molecular, physiological, and practical cultivation mechanisms behind these traits has become a major focus in horticultural and agricultural research.

Environmental factors such as light, temperature, soil nutrients, tree physiology, and chemical treatments significantly affect fruit traits. Light, for instance, regulates pigment biosynthesis, directly influencing coloration, while stress conditions can modify sugar and acid metabolism, thereby affecting flavor and texture. Among these traits, fruit coloration is largely determined by pigment biosynthesis, governed by the anthocyanin and carotenoid pathways. Simultaneously, recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, gene-editing technologies, and agronomic management have greatly enhanced our understanding of how genetics, environment, and cultivation practices interact. Key regulators—including transcription factors, hormone signaling cascades, epigenetic modifications, irrigation, fertilization, pruning, and other cultivation techniques—play pivotal roles in controlling fruit development, ripening, and quality.

This Special Issue invites researchers to submit original research articles, reviews, and case studies that investigate the genetic, environmental, and agronomic regulation of fruit traits. We particularly welcome contributions exploring molecular mechanisms, omics-based insights, gene-editing applications, and practical cultivation strategies across diverse fruit species. Our aim is to highlight innovative approaches for improving fruit quality and advancing sustainable fruit production.

Dr. Seonae Kim
Dr. Van Giap Do
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • fruit development
  • fruit quality
  • fruit coloration
  • environmental factors
  • genetic factors
  • agronomic practices
  • cultivation techniques
  • pigment content
  • crop management
  • sustainable horticulture

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 9156 KB  
Article
Developmental Dynamics of Anthocyanin and Carotenoid Accumulation and Associated Gene Expression in Two Red-Fleshed Apple Cultivars
by Seonae Kim, Van Giap Do, Jung-Geun Kwon, Hunjoong Kweon, Soon-Il Kwon, Rok-Yeun Hwang, Jong-Taek Park, Jeong-Hee Kim, Jingi Yoo and Dagyeong Kwon
Agronomy 2026, 16(13), 1243; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16131243 - 26 Jun 2026
Viewed by 365
Abstract
Fruit color, a key quality trait in apples, is primarily determined by anthocyanin and carotenoid accumulation. Although the regulation of pigmentation in red-skinned apples has been extensively investigated, comparative information regarding pigment dynamics in red-fleshed cultivars during fruit development remains limited. In this [...] Read more.
Fruit color, a key quality trait in apples, is primarily determined by anthocyanin and carotenoid accumulation. Although the regulation of pigmentation in red-skinned apples has been extensively investigated, comparative information regarding pigment dynamics in red-fleshed cultivars during fruit development remains limited. In this study, two red-fleshed apple cultivars, ‘Okanagan’ and ‘Pink Wood,’ were examined at five developmental stages, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after full bloom (DAFB), and at harvest (135 DAFB), to evaluate changes in peel and flesh coloration, pigment accumulation, and expression of genes associated with anthocyanin and carotenoid biosynthesis. Both cultivars exhibited peak peel redness during early fruit development. The peel anthocyanin concentration was highest at 30 DAFB. Anthocyanin accumulation in flesh tissues was comparatively low but increased slightly during later stages. Transcripts of anthocyanin pathway genes and the regulatory transcription factor MdMYB10 were abundant in peel tissues during the early stages. Strong positive correlations were observed between anthocyanin-associated gene expression, peel and flesh redness (a*), and anthocyanin concentration. ‘Pink Wood’ exhibited stronger red pigmentation in flesh tissues at harvest. These findings provide comparative insights into the cultivar-dependent mechanisms regulating fruit coloration in red-fleshed apples, and may support breeding strategies targeting enhanced visual and nutritional quality. Full article
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16 pages, 929 KB  
Article
Physiological and Yield Productivity Responses of Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) to Exogenous Cytokinin and Girdling Treatments
by Khristopher Ogass, Cesar Acevedo-Opazo and Yerko Moreno-Simunovic
Agronomy 2026, 16(4), 467; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16040467 - 17 Feb 2026
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Abstract
Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) productivity may be constrained by source–sink imbalances. However, field-based evidence under commercial orchard conditions on the use of branch girdling and cytokinin sprays in hazelnut remains limited. This two-season study conducted in a commercial orchard evaluated the effects [...] Read more.
Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) productivity may be constrained by source–sink imbalances. However, field-based evidence under commercial orchard conditions on the use of branch girdling and cytokinin sprays in hazelnut remains limited. This two-season study conducted in a commercial orchard evaluated the effects of branch girdling (30 mm in October; 3 mm in November) and foliar 6-benzyladenine (6-BA; 30 or 60 mg L−1) applications on the physiology, yield, and nut quality of ‘Tonda di Giffoni’ under Mediterranean conditions. Treatments were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (eight trees per treatment) using linear mixed models. Neither girdling nor 6-BA significantly improved fruit set or estimated yield (p > 0.18) and branch productivity was primarily determined by the initial floral load. However, intense October girdling markedly reduced return bloom (p < 0.001) and impaired gas exchange. In contrast, late-season or split 6-BA applications (T7–T9) consistently increased kernel yield (%), although sometimes at the expense of fruit size and weight. These findings suggest that while the total yield remained unchanged, specific treatments modulated physiological and quality traits, with late 6-BA enhancing kernel fill and early girdling posing risks to subsequent reproductive performance. Full article
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18 pages, 2169 KB  
Article
Overexpression of CmDUF239-1 Enhances Cold Tolerance in Melon Seedlings by Reinforcing Antioxidant Defense and Activating the ICE-CBF-COR Pathway
by Yang Li, Zhanming Tan, Yanjun Liu, Xiaoye Wu, Jin Zhu and Yuquan Peng
Agronomy 2025, 15(12), 2725; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15122725 - 26 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 966
Abstract
Low-temperature stress is a major factor that limits the productivity and geographical distribution of melon (Cucumis melo L.). This study elucidates that CmDUF239-1 is a positive regulator of cold stress, and its underlying mechanisms are investigated using root-specific overexpression lines. Seedlings overexpressing [...] Read more.
Low-temperature stress is a major factor that limits the productivity and geographical distribution of melon (Cucumis melo L.). This study elucidates that CmDUF239-1 is a positive regulator of cold stress, and its underlying mechanisms are investigated using root-specific overexpression lines. Seedlings overexpressing CmDUF239-1 exhibited increased biomass and reduced relative electrical conductivity under cold stress. CmDUF239-1 overexpression promoted the accumulation of soluble sugar and proline, which was accompanied by enhanced activity of the proline biosynthetic enzyme Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS) and suppressed activity of the proline-degrading enzyme proline dehydrogenase (PDH). Molecular analysis revealed that CmDUF239-1 overexpression upregulated antioxidant enzyme-related genes, sugar metabolism related genes, and proline-related genes. Furthermore, it activated key genes in the ICE-CBF-COR signaling pathway, including CmCBF1, CmCBF2, and the downstream effector gene CmCOR413-2. In conclusion, the CmDUF239-1 gene enhances melon cold tolerance by modulating antioxidant defense, enhancing osmolyte (sugar and proline) metabolism and activating a core signaling pathway. This study not only characterizes a novel function for a DUF family gene but also provides a promising candidate gene for the genetic improvement of cold resilience in melon and other related crops. Full article
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