Search Results (75)

Synthetic plastics remain widely used in food packaging despite environmental concerns. This laboratory-scale study evaluated biodegradable chitosan-alginate films enriched with oregano or turmeric two-phase equilibrium condensates as active packaging films for highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). Film hydration properties were assessed, and blueberries were stored at 4 °C or 22 °C for 7 or 14 days. Dry matter, proximate composition, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, vitamin C, and total viable bacterial count (TVC) were measured. Simulated gastrointestinal film digestates were evaluated in Nthy-ori 3-1 thyroid epithelial and CCD 841 CoN colonic epithelial cells. Oregano-enriched films (OS3) showed greater water uptake and swelling than control and turmeric-enriched films. Blueberry responses depended on formulation and storage conditions. After 14 days at 4 °C, OS2- and OS3-packaged blueberries showed higher vitamin C contents than plastic controls, corresponding to approximately 20% lower vitamin C loss. TVC was primarily influenced by temperature, with no significant main effect of packaging type. Digestates did not significantly alter evaluated DNA-damage markers under short-term exposure conditions. Concentration-dependent cell-cycle changes occurred in Nthy-ori 3-1 cells after OS2 and OS3 exposure, whereas no significant changes were observed in CCD-841CoN cells. Full article

Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) is widely cultivated in southern Chile on acidic Andisols, where aluminum (Al³⁺) toxicity and water deficit frequently occur simultaneously and limit plant performance. However, the integrated physiological responses to these stresses and the potential protective role of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the physiological, biochemical, and hormonal responses of two cultivars with contrasting resistance, Legacy (Al-resistant) and Star (Al-sensitive), exposed to Al³⁺ stress, water deficit, and their combination, with or without MeJA application. Plants were grown in Andisol soil under greenhouse conditions and subjected to eight treatments, with measurements performed at 7, 14, and 21 days. Exposure to stress conditions resulted in decreased growth, reduced leaf water status, diminished photosynthetic performance, lower pigment stability, and decreased auxin concentration as estimated by Salkowski-reactive indolic compounds. Conversely, stress conditions led to increased aluminum (Al) accumulation, elevated proline levels, enhanced lipid peroxidation, and heightened antioxidant responses. Water deficit produced the strongest reductions in photosynthesis, about 48% in Legacy and 65% in Star, whereas Al accumulated mainly in the roots of Star (14-fold). The combined stress intensified physiological limitations and oxidative damage, particularly in the Star cultivar (4-fold), which showed stronger reductions in photosynthetic parameters, higher Al accumulation, and greater lipid peroxidation. In contrast, Legacy maintained more stable physiological performance. Exogenous MeJA mitigated stress effects by reducing Al accumulation (30–35%) and oxidative damage, improving photosynthetic performance (40–60%) and water status, and partially restoring auxin levels and growth in both cultivars, being more evident in the resistant cultivar Legacy. These results indicate that MeJA contributes to the regulation of physiological and antioxidant responses associated with resistance to combined Al toxicity and water deficit in highbush blueberry. Full article

Maintaining the nutritional and functional quality of blueberries during cold storage remains a postharvest challenge. This study evaluated the effects of short-term high-CO₂ treatments on phenylpropanoid-related metabolism in two commercially important blueberry cultivar–season combinations: Duke (Vaccinium corymbosum L., highbush; early-season, June harvest) and Ochlockonee (V. virgatum Aiton, rabbiteye; late-season, September harvest). Fruits were exposed to 15% or 20% CO₂ for 3 days at 1 °C and subsequently stored for up to 29 days at 1 °C. Phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, and the expression of selected phenylpropanoid-related genes, including flavonoid biosynthetic enzymes and R2R3-MYB transcription factors, were analyzed. Short-term CO₂ treatments were associated with transient transcriptional responses, particularly in anthocyanin-related pathways, together with genotype-associated differences in phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity during storage. Overall, the results indicate associations between CO₂ exposure and secondary metabolism under cold storage conditions and should be interpreted as correlative rather than mechanistic evidence of priming. Full article

Aluminum (Al) toxicity constrains plant performance in acidic volcanic soils, yet nitrogen (N) fertilization may influence Al availability and plant responses. This study evaluated the effects of N source and rate under contrasting soil liming conditions on vegetative growth, mineral nutrition, and physiological performance of non-bearing northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L. cv. Blue Ribbon^®) plants. A split–split-plot experiment was conducted in southern Chile using urea or potassium nitrate applied at 0, 20, or 40 kg N ha⁻¹ to plants grown in unlimed soil or soil amended with calcium carbonate or magnesium oxide. Vegetative growth, tissue mineral composition, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll fluorescence, and leaf chlorophyll were monitored during the first season. Growth responded primarily to soil liming rather than N supply, indicating low N demand and substantial soil N mineralization under the experimental conditions. Foliar N increased from 1.36 to 1.70% with increasing N rates. Urea nutrition reduced foliar Al concentration by 12% compared with nitrate. Under unlimed conditions, representing maximal soil Al availability, urea fertilization was associated with 70% higher Al retention in roots relative to nitrate. Chlorophyll content was consistently higher under urea supply, while the maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II remained unaffected. These findings indicate that N form influences plant Al partitioning independently of growth responses. Although the underlying mechanisms were not directly assessed, the observed patterns suggest that urea fertilization may reduce Al translocation to shoots under conditions of high Al availability. Full article

This study investigated highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) plants cultivated in distinct cultivation systems (greenhouse vs. open field) to determine if they exhibited significant differences in rhizosphere microbiota, soil nutrient profiles, and fruit metabolites. A clear metabolic trade-off was observed: open-field cultivation significantly enhanced fruit secondary metabolites, including anthocyanins (9.5% higher), flavonoids (56.0% higher), and ascorbic acid (15.6% higher). In contrast, greenhouse fruits were enriched in primary metabolites such as water-soluble sugars (28.3% higher) and total organic acids (30.2% higher) (p < 0.01 for all comparisons). These divergent metabolite profiles were correlated with distinct rhizosphere microenvironments. The open field soil exhibited higher organic carbon and microbial α-diversity, while the greenhouse soil was characterized by a niche with high availability of cations, lower pH, higher electrical conductivity, and elevated levels of exchangeable Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and available potassium. These contrasting niches were correlated with shifts in the rhizosphere microbiota assembly. Notably, the greenhouse soil was associated with a higher relative abundance of copiotrophic bacterial taxa such as Streptomyces and Bacillus, whose abundances showed strong positive correlations with cation availability (e.g., Streptomyces vs. Ca²⁺, correlation coefficient r = 0.827, p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis integrated these patterns, revealing that soil cations were negatively correlated with fruit antioxidants but positively linked to sugars and acids. This correlative study suggests that cultivation systems are strongly associated with fruit quality, potentially through their association with functionally specific rhizosphere microbiota that covaries with a shift in the plant’s resource allocation between growth (primary metabolism) and defense (secondary metabolism). Our findings provide an integrative framework for understanding how agricultural practices are associated with the soil–plant–microbe continuum to correlate with crop quality in perennial systems and generate testable hypotheses for future mechanistic research. Full article

The delicate fruits of highbush blueberry are exposed to factors causing mechanical damage and yield losses during cultivation, harvesting, and postharvest handling. Foliar stimulation with silicon-based formulations may improve fruit firmness and postharvest quality, thereby increasing the market value of the produce. This study evaluated the effect of foliar silicon fertilisation on highbush blueberry fruit quality in terms of changes in mechanical properties, taking into account the applied spraying technique. The experiments were conducted using standard flat-fan and air-induction nozzles at different spraying speeds and varying spray liquid pressures. Treatment quality was assessed based on the degree of spray deposition, determined through analysis of silicon content in leaves and fruits. Instrumental compression and fruit detachment tests were performed to determine safe ranges of pressures and forces from the perspective of harvest quality. The results showed that the loads exerted by the picker’s hand during manual harvesting of the cultivar ‘Patriot’ remain within safe limits but are close to the critical threshold of fruit mechanical resistance (2 N). The greatest increases in destructive force and fruit firmness were obtained with the use of standard XR nozzles, reaching 3.19–3.34 N (up to 19%) and 2.03–2.21 N (up to 10%), respectively, compared with the control treatment. These findings provide practical guidance for optimising foliar silicon applications and spray parameters in highbush blueberry cultivation to improve fruit mechanical resistance and reduce the risk of harvest and postharvest damage. Full article

Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) is a major berry crop valued for its nutritional and bioactive properties. This study evaluated the influence of cultivation systems and genotypes on fruit quality and antioxidant potential in a two-factorial field experiment (four cultivars × four systems). ‘Sunrise’, ‘Draper’, ‘Ozark Blue’, and ‘Aurora’ were assessed for physicochemical traits, total polyphenols (TPC), vitamin C, nitrates, and antioxidant capacity (2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation decolourisation (ABTS•⁺), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP))). The maximum fruit weight was recorded in cv. Aurora grew under the raised-bed with agrotextile system (353 g per 100 berries), while Draper produced the smallest fruits (227 g). Soluble solids ranged from 12.2 to 16.9 °Brix, acidity from 0.53 to 0.97 g/100 g FW, and TPC from 318 to 544 mg/100 g FW. Agrotextile treatments stabilised microclimate and reduced stress, resulting in lower ABTS (17.9 vs. 24.0), DPPH (19.8 vs. 22.3), and FRAP (11.6 vs. 13.9 mmol TE/100 g FW) values, indicating stronger radical scavenging activity. Ozark showed the highest TPC, vitamin C (123 mg/1000 g FW), and firmness (420 g/mm), whereas Aurora and Sunrise had brighter fruits (L = 37.6–36.1). Nitrate concentrations remained low (42–68 mg/1000 g FW). Genotype × system interactions significantly influenced secondary metabolite synthesis and stress adaptation. Raised beds with agrotextile improved fresh-market quality, while traditional systems favoured storage stability, providing practical, sustainable cultivation guidelines. Full article

The global production of blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) has increased rapidly due to rising demand for antioxidant-rich fruits, making this crop increasingly important worldwide. Because blueberries require acidic soils, soilless systems offer a promising alternative by optimizing nutrient availability and reducing soil-related limitations. Among sustainable amendments, biochar (BC) improves water retention, porosity, and microbial activity, while wood distillate (WD), rich in bioactive compounds, can enhance plant resilience and growth. Although often used separately, their combined application may exert synergistic effects on substrate fertility and plant performance. This study investigated the effects of BC and WD, alone and in combination, on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of the ‘Cargo’ blueberry cultivar grown in a soilless system. Two distinct harvests were conducted during the growing season, and statistical analyses were performed independently for each, assessing treatment effects in relation to harvest timing. Moreover, the metabolic activity of the substrate’s microbial community was evaluated to assess the impact of the treatments. Results showed that BC application, particularly at 10%, significantly enhanced plant yield and fruit quality, increasing total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, while WD exhibited variable, dose-dependent effects on growth and biochemical traits, highlighting species-specific responses in soilless blueberry cultivation. Full article

Blueberry mosaic virus (BlMaV) is a persistent pathogen that alters host physiology; however, its impact on secondary metabolism in blueberry fruits remains poorly characterized. In this study, the phenolic profile of the cultivar ‘Duke’ was systematically examined in healthy and BlMaV-infected plants over two successive years. Using UHPLC Q-ToF MS, a total of 46 phenolic compounds were detected, spanning flavonols, phenolic acids, and anthocyanins. Comparative analyses revealed consistent shifts in metabolite abundance between healthy and infected samples. Several flavonol aglycones and phenolic acid derivatives accumulated in infected fruits, whereas multiple anthocyanins and glycosides were reduced. To further explore metabolic relationships, color correlation analysis highlighted distinct co-variation patterns among compound classes. Principal component analysis clearly separated infected and healthy fruits, confirming that viral infection was the dominant source of variation, surpassing the influence of harvest year or environmental factors. Nevertheless, the antioxidant capacity remained unchanged, regardless of the presence of the virus or the variation in environmental conditions. These results provide novel biochemical evidence that BlMaV infection reshapes the phenolic composition of blueberries and lays the groundwork for future studies on the metabolic consequences of viral stress in fruit crops. Full article

Southern highbush blueberry (SHB, Vaccinium corymbosum, Ericaceae) enables production in warm, low-chill regions, where breeding success depends on precisely timed pollinations. To support breeding in non-traditional environments, we characterized floral staging, anther wall ontogeny, tubule formation, and pollen development in two SHB cultivars (‘Emerald’, ‘Snowchaser’) grown in commercial orchards. Floral development was divided into seven stages: dormant buds (db), five successive floral-bud stages (botA–botE), and anthesis, based on bud size, corolla exposure and pigmentation, and anther/tubule coloration. Internal events were documented by light, confocal, and scanning electron microscopy. External cues reliably separated stages and tracked male-gametophyte phases: meiosis at botB; callose-encased tetrads at botC; permanent tetrahedral tetrads after callose dissolution at botD; bicellular tetrads from botE to anthesis, released intact via poricidal dehiscence. Anther-wall differentiation followed a consistent sequence and lacked a fibrous, lignified endothecium. We therefore propose a new Ericaceous pattern for blueberry anthers, defined by a transient non-lignified subepidermal stratum. Tubules originated apically as solid outgrowths, hollowed centrifugally to a beveled pore, developed a dorsal supportive zone, and mediated poricidal release of permanent tetrads. No qualitative cultivar differences were detected. The staging framework defines operational windows for pollination, emasculation, and pollen handling in low-chill systems. Full article

The highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) is a promising fruit species due to its high nutritional value and health benefits. This study, conducted between 2020 and 2024, monitored the phenological and pomological characteristics of 32 different blueberry cultivars grown in the Czech Republic. The evaluation was carried out according to Czech Republic standardized methodologies, BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie) and GRIN (Genetic Resources Information Network), and included parameters such as fruit size, flavor, aroma, firmness, color, and soluble solids content (SSC in °Brix). The correlation between individual traits was assessed, along with their phenotypic stability. The results showed that all cultivars exhibited high pomological values, making them suitable for breeding programs. The cultivars ‘Collins’ and ‘Patriot’ received the highest flavor ratings. Firmness, aroma, and color traits were found to be correlated with consumer preferences. The interannual coefficient of variation (CV) obtained for the evaluated blueberry cultivars differed for both pomological and phenological traits, allowing the identification of genotypes with high stability (CV ≤ 10%) and their potential use in targeted breeding programs and industrial production. The ‘Pink Lemonade’ blueberry cultivar, in particular, combines unique color characteristics with a strong aroma. Overall, this study provides valuable insights for future breeding efforts aimed at improving blueberry quality and cultivar adaptability under different cultivation conditions. Full article

This study investigated the dynamic changes in fruit color, texture and quality attributes of blueberry cultivars during a 15-day postharvest storage period to provide theoretical insights for cultivar selection, postharvest preservation and commercial evaluation. Phenotypic and quality traits, including color parameters (CIE-Lab*), texture attributes (Note: hardness represents firmness and is an indicator in the Brookfield’s texture analyzer), adhesive force and physicochemical indices, were systematically analyzed using a colorimeter, texture analyzer and conventional methods. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis were applied to evaluate postharvest performance. Southern highbush cultivars, including ‘EB 9-2’, ‘Meadowlark’, ‘Primadonna’, ‘Eureka’ and ‘Camellia’, exhibited superior comprehensive quality, characterized by small fruit shape index, minimal scar sizes and stable hardness dynamics. During the storage period, ‘Legacy’ demonstrated optimal color stability (ΔE < 3.5 from days 0–15), while ‘EB 9-2’ showed the most significant hardness increase. Scar size, fruit shape index and flesh elasticity were identified as key indicators for analyzing shelf-life hardness variations, offering scientific guidance for cultivar selection and postharvest management. Full article

In the main growing areas in Serbia, plants with symptoms of stem blight were sampled in nine orchards with American highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), cultivar ‘Duke’, with high disease incidence, and 153 samples were taken. A total of 128 Botryosphaeriaceae isolates were characterized on the basis of morphology, sequence analysis, multilocus phylogeny based on ITS, TEF1-α and TUB2 sequences and pathogenicity, and belonged to one of the four species Neofusicoccum parvum, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Diplodia seriata and Lasiodiplodia iraniensis. Both D. seriata and L. iraniensis were detected for the first time on blueberries in Serbia, and L. iraniensis was detected for the first time on blueberries worldwide. Comparative morphological and TEF1-α sequence analyses allowed a clear separation of L. iraniensis from the phylogenetically closely related L. fujianensis, L. thailandica and L. endophytica. Of the nine blueberry cultivars ‘Aurora’, ‘Barbara Ann’, ‘Bluecrop’, ‘Bluejay’, ‘Draper’, ‘Duke’, ‘Huron’, ‘Patriot’ and ‘Spartan’ inoculated with L. iraniensis (isolate 421-19), the cultivar ‘Duke’ was the most susceptible. In our study, the majority of orchards were in their second or third year of production, implying that the planting material is likely to be the source of infection, emphasizing the importance of pathogen-free planting material. Full article

Blueberries, widely recognized for their antioxidant capacity, have driven rapid growth in China’s blueberry industry owing to their significant health benefits and economic value. However, a comprehensive evaluation for blueberry quality traits and antioxidant capacity remains lacking in China’s domestic research. This study systematically evaluated 26 highbush blueberry cultivars with consistent tree age and cultivation practices, which can better reflect cultivar-dependent trait variation. Key findings revealed Earliblue exhibited the highest soluble solid content (SSC) and the lowest titratable acidity (TA), while Bluechip had the most abundant vitamin C (VC). Glucose and fructose were the main components of soluble sugars in highbush blueberries, accounting for over 97% of the total sugars. Citric acid was the dominant organic acid in nearly all cultivars. Malvidin 3-O-galactoside, delphinidin 3-O-galactoside, delphinidin 3-O-arabinoside, malvidin 3-O-arabinoside and petunidin 3-O-galactoside were the most abundant anthocyanins. The 26 blueberry cultivars were graded into high-, medium- and low-anthocyanin content groups. Correlation analysis divided the 14 anthocyanins into two types: antioxidant-related anthocyanins and other anthocyanins. The five cultivars with the highest comprehensive evaluation scores were Sunrise, Bluegold, Elliott, Amblue and Briteblue. These results may establish empirical selection criteria for the selection and efficient utilization of high-quality blueberry cultivars. Full article

The use of photoselective nets has gained interest in highbush blueberry production systems in recent years. Although some work has been conducted on their effects on the growth and development of the fruit, the performance of fruit grown under those nets after harvest has not been addressed yet. Here we focus on the performance of fruit grown under photoselective nets (exclusion, red, yellow, black) during long cold storage for the first time. The experiment was performed in two different years, monitoring morphological parameters, as well as primary and secondary metabolites using HPLC-MS and GC-MS. Minimal differences between treatments were noticed in fruit color, firmness and total soluble solids contents (TSS). In terms of fruit metabolism, two different periods were described during storage, with an inflection point at 14 days; in the first period, an increase in sugar content and a decrease in volatile content was observed, while after that, we found the opposite behavior. Overall, fruit grown under red nets showed the highest retention of secondary metabolites and the highest sugar/organic ratio, probably associated with a higher antioxidant capacity promoted by an increased red light proportion during the growth season. On the other hand, yellow nets showed the least favorable storage performance, as the light quality did not significantly improve the metabolism. Full article