Search Results (15)

This study evaluated the effects of foliar-applied calcium-based fertilizers, including a conventional fertilizer (T1) and a nanofertilizer containing Ca, Si, B, and Fe (T2), on fruit traits, seed quality, and early seedling growth of seven determinate tomato genotypes. Field-grown plants were monitored for fruit traits, while seeds underwent germination tests and seedling growth assessments under controlled laboratory conditions. Factorial ANOVA showed significant effects of genotype, treatment, and their interaction on fruit weight, width, germination energy, final germination, seedling vigor index, and initial plant growth, indicating genotype-specific responses. Treatment T2 significantly increased fruit weight and width, germination energy, final germination, seedling vigor, root length, and biomass compared to T1 and control (T0), while shoot elongation rate remained unaffected. Total soluble solids decreased under both treatments, but fruit length, pericarp thickness, and locule number were mainly genetically determined. Principal Component Analysis highlighted differentiation among treatments and correlations among key traits. The enhanced performance under T2 likely results from the synergistic effects of Ca, Si, B, and Fe, improving nutrient uptake and physiological activity. These findings suggest that foliar nanofertilizer application is a promising approach to optimize tomato yield and seedling performance. Full article

Carpel number has been recognized as a critical factor influencing fruit size, ultimately determining yield and economic efficiency. The WUSCHEL (WUS) protein is essential for maintaining stem cell homeostasis in the floral meristem. Its expression level directly influences the size of the floral meristem (FM), thereby determining the number of floral organs in Arabidopsis thaliana, Solanum lycopersicum, and Cucumis sativus. While its role remained largely unexplored in grapevine (Vitis vinifera). This study cloned the VvWUS gene from the polycarpic grape cultivar ‘Jizaomi’. Transgenic tomato lines expressing VvWUS heterologously exhibited accelerated floral transition, enhanced carpel/floral organ initiation, and had significantly higher locule numbers relative to wild type. Furthermore, direct binding of VvWUS to the VvAGAMOUS (VvAG) promoter and activation of VvAG expression were demonstrated through yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) and dual-luciferase (LUC) assays. These findings elucidated the molecular function of VvWUS in grape carpel development, providing a foundational basis for molecular breeding strategies targeting large-berry grape varieties. Full article

Tomato seedlings were treated with nutrient solutions containing varying nitrogen concentrations (50, 150, and 250 mg·L⁻¹) after germination until the completion of flower bud differentiation. The changes in nutrient content, enzyme activity, endogenous hormone levels, and gene expression in the stem apex were analyzed to explore the mechanisms regulating the number of locules in tomatoes at different nitrogen concentrations. The results indicated that an increase in nitrogen concentration facilitated the differentiation of tomato flower buds, increased the number of fruit locules, and increased the contents of soluble sugar, soluble protein, starch, and sucrose, as well as the activities of the enzymes POD, NR, and PPO in the seedling stem apex. The contents of soluble sugars and soluble proteins, as well as the activities of POD, NR, and PPO, were closely correlated with the number of fruit locules. An increase in nitrogen concentration was also found to elevate cytokinin levels while reducing auxin content in the stem apex. The transcriptome analysis screened for peroxidase genes, auxin response genes, and cytokinin synthesis genes. The analysis of gene expression patterns suggests that CKX and LOG6 play significant roles in flower development. Additionally, combined physiological changes indicated that an increase in nitrogen concentration during the tomato seedling stage leads to a higher number of fruit locules, which may be associated with elevated cytokinin content, primarily involving the key genes CKX and LOG6. Full article

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important cultivated vegetables in the world. However, in some countries such as Mexico the lack of cultivars adapted to different environmental production conditions is a limitation. Moreover, recent studies have indicated that breeding aimed at increasing yield has led to a loss of genetic diversity. Therefore, it is necessary to explore and characterize new sources of germplasms. This study aimed to characterize new sources of germplasm and identify the most transcendental traits for distinguishing tomato types and lines that are useful for the genetic improvement of the species. Sixty characters were evaluated in 16 advanced lines of native tomatoes from Central and Southern Mexico during the fall–winter cycles 2023–2024 at the Bajío Experimental Station, Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico, based on the guidelines of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) and the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance and post hoc tests, canonical discriminant analysis, and the Eigenanalysis selection index method (ESIM). Morphological variation showed that five qualitative traits were determinant factors in distinguishing tomato types and lines, whereas agronomic discriminant traits were the equatorial and polar diameters of the fruit and its ratio, number of locules, pedicel length, stem length, and internode distance. In addition, significant positive correlations were found between leaf length and width, equatorial diameter of the fruit, and polar diameter of the fruit. Lines JCM-17, JMC-10, and JCM-01 were the most selectable lines according to the ESIM values. The morphological variation found and the characteristics with higher selection values identified may be valuable for optimizing the tomato genetic improvement process in general. Full article

Pitahaya (Hylocereus spp.) is an economically significant cactus fruit in Peru, renowned for its rich nutritional profile and antioxidant properties while exhibiting wide biological diversity. This study aimed to morphologically characterize seven pitahaya accessions using qualitative and quantitative descriptors related to the cladodes, flowers, and fruits. Univariate and multivariate (FAMD, PCA, MCA, and clustering) analyses were employed to identify and classify the accessions based on their morphological traits. The analyses revealed three distinct groups: one consisting solely of AC.07; another with AC.02, AC.04, and AC.06; and a third including AC.01, AC.03, and AC.05. The first group exhibited superior characteristics, particularly in fruit traits such as the stigma lobe count (23.3), number of bracts (26.5 mm), and length of apical bracts (15.75 mm). The second group recorded the highest spine count (3.21), bract length (16.95 mm), and awn thickness (5.12 mm). The third group had the highest bract count (37) and an average locule number (23.65). These findings highlight the significant morphological diversity among the accessions, indicating the potential for classification and selection in pitahaya cultivation. The potential of AC.07 stands out in terms of its agronomic qualities, such as its fruit weight (451.93 g) and pulp weight (292.5 g), surpassing the other accessions. Full article

In order to comprehensively describe and evaluate Chinese olive seeds, this study examined 33 varieties (strains) of Chinese olive seeds to address the limitations of previous research on quantitative trait variation and grading among Chinese olive seed varieties (strains). The research specifically focused on evaluating the morphological characteristics, seed locule structure, embryo composition, and phenotypic quantitative traits of Chinese olive seeds. The results indicated that Chinese olive seeds consisted of a core, seed coat, and embryo. Typically, the core contained two to four locules, with each locule containing zero to one embryos. Eight distinct structural variations were identified, with the number of locules per seed ranging from two to four and the number of embryos ranging from one to four. The most common structural types were ‘3-locule 1-embryo’ and ‘3-locule 2-embryo’, each occurring in 100% of the varieties (strains) studied. These two structural types also had a high average proportion within each variety (line), accounting for 50.17% and 42.06%, respectively. The average dimensions of a seed were 31.20 mm in length and 10.89 mm in width, with a shape index of 2.89 and weighing 1.55 g. These quantitative traits displayed significant variation, with the coefficient of variation being highest for single seed weight (19.35%) and lowest for seed length (9.39%). Normality tests revealed that seed width, seed length, and single seed weight followed a normal distribution. These traits were categorized into five levels based on specific points, with probabilities of occurrence approximately 10%, 20%, 40%, 20%, and 10%, respectively. The findings of this study are crucial for understanding and utilizing Chinese olive seed traits and provide valuable insights for the establishment of seed trait standards and data normalization. Full article

Fruit locule number is an important agronomic trait that affects fruit appearance, quality, and yield. CLAVATA3 (SlCLV3) is a candidate gene of the fasciated (fas) locus that plays a role in controlling the number of flower organs and fruit locules in tomato. The SlCLV3 encoding signal peptide mainly acts by inhibiting the expression of WUSCHEL (WUS) but there is little research about how the receptor transmits the CLV3 signal to WUS and inhibits its expression. The CRISPR/Cas9 method was employed to edit the first exon of tomato SlCLV3 in this study, leading to the functional deletion of SlCLV3. As a result, flowers with a high number of organs and fruits with a high number of locules were produced. We screened six candidate genes using the transcriptome of clv3 mutants, analyzed expression variations in these genes between the cultivated allele and wild-type allele of fas, and showed that only SlLET6 and SlGIF1 (GRF1-interacting factor 1) were influenced by the fas locus. SlLET6 overexpression resulted in an increase in flower carpels and fruit locules. These results suggest that SlLET6 may be the downstream gene of SlCLV3 regulating the number of carpels and fruit locules in tomato. Full article

The domesticated Vigna species still need some of the beneficial characters that exist in the wild Vigna species, despite the improvements obtained so far. This study was carried out to enhance our understanding of the Senegalese wild Vigna diversity by exploring the agro-morphological characteristics of some accessions using 22 traits. The phenotyping was carried out in a shaded house for two consecutive rainy seasons (2021 and 2022) using the alpha-lattice experimental design with 55 accessions. Multiple correspondence analysis was carried out based on the qualitative traits, which showed considerable variability for the wild species (Vigna unguiculata var. spontanea, Vigna racemosa, Vigna radiata and the unidentified accession). The quantitative traits were subjected to statistical analysis using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. Our results revealed that ninety-five percent (95%) pod maturity ranged from 74.2 to 125.8 days in accession 3 of V. unguiculata and in accession 92 (V. racemosa), respectively. In addition, accession 14 of V. radiata recorded the highest weight for 100 seeds with a value of 4.8 g, while accession 18 of V. unguiculata had the lowest (1.48 g). The ANOVA showed significant differences for the accessions during each season (p ≤ 0.05). Seasonal effects (accession × season) were observed for some quantitative traits, such as the terminal leaflet length and width, time to 50% flowering and 95% pod maturity, pod length and 100-seed weight. Principal component analysis showed that reproductive traits, such as the time to 50% flowering, number of locules per pod, pod length, pod width and 100-seed weight, were the major traits that accounted for the variations among the wild Vigna accessions. The genetic relationship based on qualitative and quantitative traits showed three clusters among the wild Vigna accessions. Indeed, the diversity observed in this study could be used to select parents for breeding to improve the cultivated species of Vigna. Full article

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruits are derived from fertilized ovaries formed during flower development. Thus, fruit morphology is tightly linked to carpel number and identity. The SUPERMAN (SUP) gene is a key transcription repressor to define the stamen–carpel boundary and to control floral meristem determinacy. Despite SUP functions having been characterized in a few plant species, its functions have not yet been explored in tomato. In this study, we identified and characterized a fascinated and multi-locule fruit (fmf) mutant in Solanum pimpinellifolium background harboring a nonsense mutation in the coding sequence of a zinc finger gene orthologous to SUP. The fmf mutant produces supersex flowers containing increased numbers of stamens and carpels and sets malformed seedless fruits with complete flowers frequently formed on the distal end. fmf alleles in cultivated tomato background created by CRISPR-Cas9 showed similar floral and fruit phenotypes. Our results provide insight into the functional conservation and diversification of SUP members in different species. We also speculate the FMF gene may be a potential target for yield improvement in tomato by genetic engineering. Full article

Epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, when meiotically inherited across generations, can act as a stable evolutionary force that is independent of any accompanying DNA mutations. Certain histone deacetylase (HDAC)-inhibiting chemicals such as Trichostatin A (TSA) and sodium butyrate are known to regulate the total acetylated histones in the genome, which is important for regulating the expression of various traits in all organisms. This study investigated all morphological variations in traits of Abelmoschus esculentus L. (okra) induced by different doses of Trichostatin A in a popular okra variety, Arka Abhay. Two sets of seeds were treated with two doses (0.4 µM and 1.2 µM) of TSA and were incubated in the chemical for three and five days, respectively, to record the effects of dose and incubation periods on various agronomic characters of okra. The treatment of TSA had a negative impact on the majority of the characters under evaluation. Total seedlings emerged, and mean shoot and root length were retarded following the TSA treatment. Extremely dwarfed plants with malformed leaves and flowers were a common observation. Pollen sterility combined with distortion of the reproductive whorls of the flowers were particularly pronounced at high doses with a prolonged incubation period. Treated plants had a significantly delayed first flowering and produced short fruits with altered morphology. Variations in seeds with respect to the number, colour and size were also recorded. Total reduction with respect to seedling parameters, total pollen production, the number of fertile pollens, plant height and other damaging effects on leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds increased as the dose and incubation period increased. Statistical analysis revealed the significant negative effect of TSA treatments on plant height, the number of ridges and locules per fruit, number of seeds per fruit and test weight. The treatment, 1.2 µM Trichostatin A incubated for three days, showed a remarkable difference as traits such as total field emergence, seedling parameters and days to first flowering plant height, number of seeds per fruit and test weight deviated from the expected trend of decreasing growth parameters as the dose and incubation period increased. The study further revealed that the treatment (1.2 µM TSA incubated for three days) can be suggested for use in okra to induce epigenetic variations without significantly compromising the growth and vigour parameters of okra. Full article

The scaffold protein receptor for Activated C Kinase1 (RACK1) regulates multiple aspects of plants, including seed germination, growth, environmental stress responses, and flowering. Recent studies have revealed that RACK1 is associated with NADPH-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling in plants. ROS, as a double-edged sword, can modulate several developmental pathways in plants. Thus, the resulting physiological consequences of perturbing the RACK1 expression-induced ROS balance remain to be explored. Herein, we combined molecular, pharmacological, and ultrastructure analysis approaches to investigate the hypothesized connection using T-DNA-mediated activation-tagged RACK1B overexpressed (OX) transgenic rice plants. In this study, we find that OsRACK1B-OX plants display reduced pollen viability, defective anther dehiscence, and abnormal spikelet morphology, leading to partial spikelet sterility. Microscopic observation of the mature pollen grains from the OX plants revealed abnormalities in the exine and intine structures and decreased starch granules in the pollen, resulting in a reduced number of grains per locule from the OX rice plants as compared to that of the wild-type (WT). Histochemical staining revealed a global increase in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in the leaves and roots of the transgenic lines overexpressing OsRACK1B compared to that of the WT. However, the elevated H₂O₂ in tissues from the OX plants can be reversed by pre-treatment with diphenylidonium (DPI), an NADPH oxidase inhibitor, indicating that the source of H₂O₂ could be, in part, NADPH oxidase. Expression analysis showed a differential expression of the NADPH/respiratory burst oxidase homolog D (RbohD) and antioxidant enzyme-related genes, suggesting a homeostatic mechanism of H₂O₂ production and antioxidant enzyme activity. BiFC analysis demonstrated that OsRACK1B interacts with the N-terminal region of RbohD in vivo. Taken together, these data indicate that elevated OsRACK1B accumulates a threshold level of ROS, in this case H₂O₂, which negatively regulates pollen development and fertility. In conclusion, we hypothesized that an optimal expression of RACK1 is critical for fertility in rice plants. Full article

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), one of the most consumed vegetables worldwide, shows great differences between its diverse varieties. These differences affect the fruit type, size and shape. Food preservation techniques prolong the availability of sweet pepper. Roasted pepper is a product marketed with the European recognition of Protected Geographical Indication ‘Pimiento Asado del Bierzo’. The objective of this work was to analyse the effect of the fruit weight and fruit locule number of the industrial fresh pepper on quality and roasted pepper yield. Large trilocular fruits and large tetralocular fruits reached higher roast yield and uniformity than small trilocular fruits. Regardless of fruit locule number and fruit weight, the overall quality of all the samples of roasted pepper was categorised as very good. Large tetralocular and large trilocular fruits are the most appropriate peppers for industrial purposes, whereas small trilocular fruits should be intended for the fresh product market. This easy method of sorting bell pepper fruit attending to fruit weight will decrease the amount of pepper waste in the industrial roasting process (around 18%), while maintaining the high overall quality of the final product. Moreover, the faster peeling of large peppers will also contribute to increasing the productivity of the industrial processing of roasted pepper. Full article

Fruit traits are important in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and affect its quality and yield. These traits are controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTLs). In this study, we identified many major QTLs that control fruit length (Ftl), fruit diameter (Ftd), fruit shape (Fts), fruit weight (Ftw) and locule number (Lcn) in the F₂ and F_2:3 populations developed from the QTL mapping of GS6 (P1) and Qiemen (P2). A total of 111 simple sequence repeats and insertion/deletion markers were utilized to construct a linkage map with 12 linkage groups over a length of 1320.72 cM. An inclusive composite interval mapping analysis indicated that many QTLs were detected and included ftl2.1, ftd2.1, fts1.1, ftw2.1 and lcn1.1. As a novel QTL, lcn1.1 was located between HM1112 and EPMS709, and the genetic distance was 3.18 cM covering 60 predicted genes. Within the region, we identified Capana01g004285 as a candidate gene by functional annotation and expression analysis and found that it encodes the BREVIS RADIX (BRX) protein. Knockdown of CaBRX through the virus-induced gene silencing approach in GS6 reduced the number of locules and influenced the expressions of genes related to flower and locule development, suggesting that CaBRX plays an important function in the development of locules. Full article

Norwegian pear production is low due to climatic limitations, a lack of well-adapted cultivars and suitable pollinizers. However, nowadays it is increasing as a result of newly introduced and bred pear cultivars. Since cross pollination is necessary for high yields and good fruit quality, the aim of this investigation was to find the most suitable pollinizers for the pear cultivars “Ingeborg” (“Conference” × “Bonne Louise”) and “Celina” (“Colorée de Juillet” × “Williams”). Self-pollination of “Ingeborg” and “Celina”, together with “Conference”, “Belle Lucrative”, “Anna”, “Clara Frijs”, “Herzogin Elsa”, “Kristina” and “Fritjof” as potential pollinizers, were studied in this experiment during the 2017 and 2018 seasons in Norway. The success rate of each pollinizer was tested under field conditions, while the monitoring of pollen tube growth was done using the fluorescence microscopy method. All reproductive parameters (pollen germination, number of pollen tubes in the upper part of the style, pollen tube number in the locule of the ovary, number of fertilized ovules, initial fruit set, and final fruit set) in all crossing combinations were higher in 2018 due to much warmer weather. Based on the flowering overlap and success rate of each individual pollinizer and fruit set, the cultivars “Anna” and “Clara Frijs” can be suggested as pollinizers for the cultivar “Ingeborg”, while “Fritjof”, “Anna”, “Kristina” and “Herzogin Elsa” for the cultivar “Celina”. An even distribution of two compatible pollinizers having overlapping flowering times with the main commercial pear cultivar is a general recommendation for commercial pear production. Full article

The number of locules in tomato affects fruit size, shape, and the incidence of malformation. Low temperature increases locule number and the incidences of malformation in tomato plants. In this study, three flower bud developmental stages (pre-flower bud differentiation, sepal and petal primordium formation, and carpel primordium formation) under different night temperatures (10, 15, and 20 °C) were used to analyze the reason behind locule number change using an RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) approach, Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). The results showed that the “plant hormone signal transduction”, “starch and sucrose metabolism”, and “diterpenoid biosynthesis” categories were remarkably activated during flower bud differentiation. Transcripts of gibberellin (GA)-related genes and endogenous levels of GAs were analyzed, and it was discovered that SlGA2ox genes were significantly downregulated and bioactive GA₁ and GA₄ accumulated at lower overnight temperature. Exogenous application of bioactive GA₁, GA₄, and PAC (paclobutrazol) showed that GA₁ and GA₄ increased the locule number, while PAC decreased the locule number. Taken together, our results suggest that lower overnight temperature reduced the expression of SlGA2ox genes, leading to GA₁ and GA₄ accumulation, thereby increasing locule number in tomato. Full article