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Agronomy
Special Issues
Phenotypic and Molecular Regulation of Productivity and Quality of Fruit
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Phenotypic and Molecular Regulation of Productivity and Quality of Fruit

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2020) | Viewed by 35541

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Fabienne Micheli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Genetic Improvement and Adaptation of Mediterranean and Tropical Plants (AGAP) Unit, Cirad, 34000 Montpellier, France
Interests: fruit quality; biotic and abiotic stress; omics; physiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The increasing food market worldwide requires more and more large amounts of fruits or fruit-derived products, as well as fruit of high quality. Both quantity and quality are important for fruit in natura as well as for processed products; consumers also are increasingly paying attention to healthy and nutritive foods. To sustain fruit markets, it is important to have a good knowledge of phenotypic and molecular (including gene, protein, and metabolite) regulation of productivity and fruit quality, as well as to control stresses damaging fruit production. Moreover, climate change and genotype–environment interactions (including epigenetics) are crucial elements of fruit development and maturation. Please share your success stories from research in fruit production and quality in this Special Issue. Submissions on (but not limited to) the following topics are invited: (1) molecular assisted selection of crops with high fruit productivity or quality; (2) influence of biotic and abiotic stresses on fruit physiology; (3) influence of climate changes or environment factors on fruit development and maturation; (4) diversity exploration related to understanding fruit quality signaling pathways; (5) molecular regulation and pathway decryption of fruit quality; and (6) analysis of secondary metabolites involved in fruit quality or fruit-derived products.

Dr. Fabienne Micheli
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Fruit quality
  • Plant productivity improvement
  • Phenotyping and physiology of fruit
  • Omics and gene expression
  • Genotype–environment interaction
  • Influence of biotic and abiotic stress on productivity and fruit quality
  • Diversity and selection for productivity and quality
  • Secondary metabolites
  • Healthy molecules from fruits

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 3621 KiB  
Article
Effect of Environmental Conditions on the Yield of Peel and Composition of Essential Oils from Citrus Cultivated in Bahia (Brazil) and Corsica (France)
by François Luro, Claudia Garcia Neves, Gilles Costantino, Abelmon da Silva Gesteira, Mathieu Paoli, Patrick Ollitrault, Félix Tomi, Fabienne Micheli and Marc Gibernau
Agronomy 2020, 10(9), 1256; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091256 - 26 Aug 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4050
Abstract
The cosmetic and fragrance industry largely exploits citrus essential oils (EOs) because of their aromatic properties. EO compositions are complex and differ between fruit pericarp (PEO) and leaf (LEO). Citrus fruit grow in many countries under very different climates. Seventeen citrus cultivars were [...] Read more.
The cosmetic and fragrance industry largely exploits citrus essential oils (EOs) because of their aromatic properties. EO compositions are complex and differ between fruit pericarp (PEO) and leaf (LEO). Citrus fruit grow in many countries under very different climates. Seventeen citrus cultivars were selected and their similarities between the two collections were verified by SSR (Single Sequence Repeat) and InDel (Insertion and Deletion) markers to assess the effects of the environment and cultivation practices on the EO yield and composition. LEOs and PEOs were extracted by water distillation and analyzed by GC-MS. PEO yields were generally higher in Corsica than in Bahia, especially in the citron family. PEOs in this family were richer in limonene in Bahia than in Corsica while, conversely, neral, geranial and derivatives were present in a higher proportion in Corsican varieties. A few minor components were site-specific, such as nookaton, a pummelo-specific compound that was not present in grapefruit cultivated in Bahia. If climate change over the last 20 years has not affected the PEO composition in Corsica, the contrasted environmental conditions and cultural practices between Bahia and Corsica could possibly explain the EO variations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenotypic and Molecular Regulation of Productivity and Quality of Fruit)
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14 pages, 2376 KiB  
Article
Functional Characterization and in Silico Analysis of Phytoene Synthase Family Genes Responsible for Carotenoid Biosynthesis in Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.)
by Chuan Wu, Lei Sun, Yuanzuo Lv, Haonan Cui, Xuezheng Wang, Peng Gao and Feishi Luan
Agronomy 2020, 10(8), 1077; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10081077 - 26 Jul 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2786
Abstract
Carotenoids are the main pigments in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) fruit and contribute to its aesthetic and nutritional value. Phytoene synthase (PSY) is reported to be the first rate-limiting enzyme in carotenogenesis and controls the carotenoid flux. This study aimed to identify [...] Read more.
Carotenoids are the main pigments in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) fruit and contribute to its aesthetic and nutritional value. Phytoene synthase (PSY) is reported to be the first rate-limiting enzyme in carotenogenesis and controls the carotenoid flux. This study aimed to identify PSY genes responsible for carotenoid biosynthesis in the red-fleshed watermelon cultivar LSW-177. The PSY gene members ClPSY1, ClPSY2 and ClPSY3 were characterized and their catalytic activities were displayed in the heterologous complementation assay. The transcript levels of ClPSY genes at the different developmental stages of LSW-177 fruit and the promoter sequence of ClPSY1 were also analyzed. Transcription factors involved in regulating the ClPSY1 expression were scanned with previous RNA-seq data of the different stages during fruit ripening. Results showed that the PSY proteins from watermelon LSW-177 contained the conserved PSY domains and exhibited the ability to condense GGPP into phytoene in E. coli. ClPSY1 is the dominant carotenogenic gene during fruit ripening; and can be induced by light and hormones. Furthermore, Cla013914 and Cla007950 that, respectively encode the transcription factors WD40-like protein and bZIP, likely upregulate ClPSY1 during fruit ripening. In conclusion, ClPSY1 play a dominant role in carotenoid biosynthesis during watermelon fruit ripening and is regulated by complex light and hormone-responsive networks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenotypic and Molecular Regulation of Productivity and Quality of Fruit)
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21 pages, 2671 KiB  
Article
Biostimulatory Action of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Enhances Productivity, Functional and Sensory Quality in ‘Piennolo del Vesuvio’ Cherry Tomato Landraces
by Petronia Carillo, Angelos Kyratzis, Marios C. Kyriacou, Emilia Dell’Aversana, Giovanna Marta Fusco, Giandomenico Corrado and Youssef Rouphael
Agronomy 2020, 10(6), 911; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10060911 - 25 Jun 2020
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4644
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are a promising tool to improve plant nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and tolerance against abiotic stresses. Moreover, AMF can potentially increase plant productivity and reduce the negative externalities of the agricultural sector. Our study aimed to elucidate whether AMF [...] Read more.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are a promising tool to improve plant nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and tolerance against abiotic stresses. Moreover, AMF can potentially increase plant productivity and reduce the negative externalities of the agricultural sector. Our study aimed to elucidate whether AMF (containing Rhizoglomus irregulare and Funneliformis mosseae) could positively affect not only tomato growth and productivity but also the nutritional and nutraceutical quality of yellow-pigmented type (‘Giagiù’) and red-pigmented type (‘Lucariello’) tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.). These cherry tomatoes are landraces of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) ‘Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio’ (PPV), one of the most typical agricultural products of the Campania region (Southern Italy). AMF rose fruit yield by increasing the number of fruits per plant (+49% and +29% in ‘Giagiù’ and ‘Lucariello’, respectively) but not of the fruit mean mass. AMF increased lycopene (+40%), total ascorbic acid (TAA; +41%), alanine (+162%), gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA; +101%) and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs; +53%) in ‘Lucariello’. In ‘Giagiù’, AMF increased calcium (+63%), zinc (+45%), ASP (+70%), GABA (+53%) and the essential amino acids arginine (+58%) and lysine (+45%), also indicating a genotype-specific response. In both landraces, AMF improved nutrient uptake and biosynthesis of important molecules involved in the control the oxidative stress and cellular pH. In addition to the beneficial effects of human health, the molecules influenced by the AMF treatment are expected to extend the shelf life of tomato fruits, thus further promoting the useful agronomic application of AMF for premium tomatoes marketed fresh or in pendulums (‘piennoli’). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenotypic and Molecular Regulation of Productivity and Quality of Fruit)
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17 pages, 2484 KiB  
Article
Contribution of Root Anatomical Characteristics in Fruit Profile of Pomegranate Genotypes to Expand Production Area in Pakistan
by Tahir Ali, Muhammad Nafees, Ambreen Maqsood, Summar Abbas Naqvi, Umbreen Shahzad, Muhammad Salman Haider, Muhammad Naveed Aslam, Waqar Shafqat, Mansoor Hameed, Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Sunny Ahmar, Muhammad Jafar Jaskani and Jen-Tsung Chen
Agronomy 2020, 10(6), 810; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10060810 - 8 Jun 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3363
Abstract
Pomegranate adaptation to abiotic stress conditions has led to its wide dispersion in Pakistan and to the appearance of new, local genotypes. These genotypes are important to characterize for breeding programs aimed towards the production of new cultivars suitable to arid, semi-arid, and [...] Read more.
Pomegranate adaptation to abiotic stress conditions has led to its wide dispersion in Pakistan and to the appearance of new, local genotypes. These genotypes are important to characterize for breeding programs aimed towards the production of new cultivars suitable to arid, semi-arid, and moderate weather regions. In this study, eleven pomegranate accessions were investigated for fruit morphological and biochemical traits, and root anatomic adaptation under diverse climates. The commercial accession (Sava) had the maximum fruit weight (373.97 g) compared to accessions KK-I (60.94 g) and KK-II (71.63 g), which were old plantations established since United India. Most of the accessions were juicy with a wood portion index (WPI) ranging from 0.93 to 1.06%; however, the non-commercial accession of Khushab Kanhatti (KK-I) showed the highest WPI (4.38%). A high variation occurred among all accessions for total soluble solids, total sugars, and total ascorbic acid contents with a maximum in accession Sava (16.46 °Brix), TK-II (53.16%), and QW-I (0.68%), respectively. Root anatomical studies in accessions depicted significantly high variation, and accession Sava of semi-arid climate produced maximum root epidermis (97.43 µm2), phloem (2730.78 µm2), and metaxylem (717.77 µm2) area. In contrast, high cortex thickness (104.74 µm), cortex area (462.74 µm2), and vascular area (114,382.10 µm2) was measured in accessions KK-II and KK-III of Khushab district with an arid climate. The germplasm of diverse regions showed a strong association and clustered into two main classes based on fruit morpho-chemical and root anatomical characteristics. These traits are likely to provide clues towards plants adaptation to various growing conditions and can be exploited successfully in crop improvement programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenotypic and Molecular Regulation of Productivity and Quality of Fruit)
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15 pages, 3336 KiB  
Article
Abscission of Orange Fruit (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.) in the Mediterranean Basin Depends More on Environmental Conditions Than on Fruit Ripeness
by Hajer Khefifi, Rim Selmane, Mehdi Ben Mimoun, Francisco Tadeo, Raphael Morillon and François Luro
Agronomy 2020, 10(4), 591; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10040591 - 21 Apr 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5377
Abstract
Orange fruit abscission usually occurs at the final stage of fruit maturation but in some areas of citrus production, in advance of the usual harvest period, and sometimes suddenly and intensely. The reasons for this precocious citrus fruit abscission remains unclear. Therefore, the [...] Read more.
Orange fruit abscission usually occurs at the final stage of fruit maturation but in some areas of citrus production, in advance of the usual harvest period, and sometimes suddenly and intensely. The reasons for this precocious citrus fruit abscission remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to try to clarify what the determinants of this phenomenon are. A multi-site experimentation was carried out on six orange cultivars, in Corsica, Spain and Tunisia where the phenomenon of early massive fruit drop varies. Climatic parameters, fruit maturity parameters and fruit detachment force (FDF) were recorded along the fruit maturation period. Respectively to the fruit drop, the FDF decreased in Tunisia and in Spain until the fruit falls, whereas in Corsica, it remained relatively constant throughout fruit maturation. Although data on fruit maturity parameters (rind color, acidity and total soluble solids) differed at the three sites, their evolution was similar during the period of maturation. FDF was not related to changes in any fruit maturity parameters, and more likely depended on changes in temperatures on days when the mean temperature was above 13 °C. Massive fruit abscission could be linked to the earlier more rapid restart of vegetative growth in Tunisia and Spain than in Corsica. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenotypic and Molecular Regulation of Productivity and Quality of Fruit)
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17 pages, 2332 KiB  
Article
Phenolic Content, Color Development, and Pigment−Related Gene Expression: A Comparative Analysis in Different Cultivars of Strawberry during the Ripening Process
by Carolina Parra-Palma, Luis Morales-Quintana and Patricio Ramos
Agronomy 2020, 10(4), 588; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10040588 - 20 Apr 2020
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 4749
Abstract
Globally, the strawberry is one of the most widely consumed fruits, but under certain environmental conditions, it exhibits inadequate red color development, causing economic losses due to lower product quality. In order to evaluate if changes in color are cultivar-specific and environmentally dependent, [...] Read more.
Globally, the strawberry is one of the most widely consumed fruits, but under certain environmental conditions, it exhibits inadequate red color development, causing economic losses due to lower product quality. In order to evaluate if changes in color are cultivar-specific and environmentally dependent, a comparative study of anthocyanin accumulation, total phenolic, total flavonoid content analysis and additionally a transcriptional profile of pigment-related genes in “Camarosa,” “Cristal,” “Monterey,” and “Portola” (four strawberry cultivars) was performed. These showed an increase in their red coloration during fruit development. The anthocyanin accumulation in the four cultivars was related to the particular progress of the transcriptional activity of genes involved in the biosynthesis of flavonoid pigments. The greatest increase was observed in “Monterey” and “Camarosa”; thus, we have found a correlation between fruit color redness and total anthocyanins only in these cultivars. However, a positive correlation between the mRNA abundance of FaF3′H and FaFLS and the total flavonoids content was found in all cultivars at early stages of ripening. Finally, we found correlations between color and other important physiological properties such as SSC/TA, weight, and aroma expressed as total esters. These results could be useful in making decisions in future breeding programs to improve the content of healthy compound content in strawberry fruit. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenotypic and Molecular Regulation of Productivity and Quality of Fruit)
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Review

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16 pages, 1797 KiB  
Review
Organic Plant Biostimulants and Fruit Quality—A Review
by Mayara Rodrigues, João Leonardo Corte Baptistella, Daniele Caroline Horz, Laura Minatel Bortolato and Paulo Mazzafera
Agronomy 2020, 10(7), 988; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10070988 - 10 Jul 2020
Cited by 44 | Viewed by 9888
Abstract
Plant biostimulants have been increasingly used in agriculture. Plant biostimulants have been mostly investigated regarding their stress attenuation and only a few reports have brought information on their effects on fruit quality, which is related to appearance, chemical and physical attributes. Due to [...] Read more.
Plant biostimulants have been increasingly used in agriculture. Plant biostimulants have been mostly investigated regarding their stress attenuation and only a few reports have brought information on their effects on fruit quality, which is related to appearance, chemical and physical attributes. Due to their organic nature, they have a sustainable appeal, attending the demand of consumers worried about the beneficial effects of healthier foods. This review turns evident the little information available on this matter. As fruits have differentiated metabolism, from pollination to harvest and after-harvesting, it is suggested that further research should focus separately on each stage. Thus, research should aim at quality formation, when the fruits are still attached to the plant, and shelf life extension, after harvesting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenotypic and Molecular Regulation of Productivity and Quality of Fruit)
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