Search Results (212)

Packaging is essential for protecting, distributing, and trading fresh fruit. Antimicrobial packaging, which incorporates natural or synthetic bioactive compounds, can inhibit microbial growth, extend shelf life, and reduce reliance on synthetic fungicides. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), released from black mustard seeds, on the quality and fungal development of ‘Burlat’ sweet cherries during postharvest storage under modified atmosphere. The in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activity of AITC, released from different amounts of mustard seeds in an ‘Inbox’ system, was compared with fludioxonil, a synthetic fungicide authorised for postharvest use on stone fruits in the European Union. The impact of these treatments on weight loss, headspace gas composition, fruit decay, physicochemical and microbiological quality was also analysed. Results showed that AITC inhibited the in vitro growth of Cladosporium cladosporioides, Monilinia laxa and Penicilium expansum, and significantly reduced Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea, and Geotrichum candidum after 96 h at 25 °C and 99% RH. Treatment with 100 mg of mustard seeds achieved rot control comparable to fludioxonil, while maintaining higher firmness and delaying skin darkening after 28 days. Overall, natural AITC from mustard seeds appears to be a promising alternative for preserving sweet cherry quality. Full article

This study investigates the resistance of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) accessions to surface pitting, a critical postharvest issue. A two-year analysis of 32 accessions and 3 cultivars, fruit chemical composition (total antioxidant capacity, anthocyanins, polyphenols, dry matter, and ascorbic acid), and maturity stages on pitting susceptibility was conducted. The damage index (DI) is a quantitative measure of fruit susceptibility to surface pitting after mechanical injury and storage; lower DI values indicate higher resistance, while higher DI values indicate greater susceptibility. The damage index (DI) in our study ranged from 1.18 to 2.87, with ‘10072’ exhibiting the highest resistance (DI = 1.18 ± 0.20) and ‘16806’ the lowest (DI = 2.87 ± 0.49). Biochemical analysis showed an inverse correlation between total dry matter content (TDM) and DI (r = −0.445, p < 0.001), with high-TDM accessions demonstrating lower pitting susceptibility. Ascorbic acid levels also negatively correlated with DI (r = −0.148, p < 0.01), as ‘10072’ contained 41% higher ascorbic acid than ‘16806’. In contrast, total antioxidant capacity (TEAC) correlated positively with DI (r = 0.309, p < 0.001), suggesting that higher antioxidant levels may increase susceptibility. Maturity stages affected fruit chemical composition but did not significantly alter DI values (first maturity stage DI = 2.17 ± 0.56; second maturity stage DI = 2.19 ± 0.53, p > 0.05). Some accessions maintained stable resistance across seasons, emphasizing the role of genetics. These findings provide valuable insights for breeding strategies to improve cherry resistance to surface pitting. The identification of highly resistant accessions like ‘10072’ offers promising candidates for breeding programs, while predictive chemical markers could aid rapid selection for enhanced postharvest quality. Full article

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivation in China covers an estimated area of 25,600 hectares, representing more than one-third of the global total. Viral diseases present a serious challenge to cherry production worldwide; however, the phytosanitary status of sweet cherry in China has remained poorly understood. In this study, 191 sweet cherry samples were collected from major growing regions and screened using RT-PCR combined with DNA sequencing for the presence of 14 viruses previously reported in China. Results revealed that 80.1% of the tested samples were infected with at least one virus, with mixed infections detected in 51.3% of the samples. Prevalent viruses included cherry virus A (CVA, 53.4%), prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV, 35.1%), cherry green ring mottle virus (CGRMV, 32.5%), plum bark necrosis stem pitting-associated virus (PBNSPaV, 31.4%), and prune dwarf virus (PDV, 10.5%). Cherry necrotic rusty mottle virus (CNRMV) was found at a very low frequency (0.5%), and the remaining eight viruses were not detected in any sample. Based on these findings, we developed multiplex RT-PCR assays for simultaneous detection of CVA, PNRSV, CGRMV, PBNSPaV, and PDV. Several dual and triplex RT-PCR systems were successfully established, including combinations such as PBNSPaV/PNRSV, CVA/PDV, CVA/CGRMV, PBNSPaV/PDV/CGRMV, and PBNSPaV/PNRSV/PDV. This study identifies CVA, PNRSV, CGRMV, PBNSPaV, and PDV as the prevalent viruses in the investigated Chinese sweet cherry orchards. Accordingly, multiplex RT-PCR assays were developed for their simultaneous detection. Our work advances the understanding of sweet cherry viral diseases in China and provides a valuable complementary tool for the existing diagnostic toolkit. Full article

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is a tree species cultivated worldwide with high economic value. During its growth, it is frequently threatened by pathogenic fungi, leading to reduced yield and deteriorated quality. However, in sweet cherry, the disease-resistant cultivars against brown spot disease (BSD) caused by Alternaria alternata, as well as the associated disease-resistant metabolic pathways and metabolites, remain limited. In this study, we investigated the disease-resistant germplasm and associated metabolic pathways of sweet cherries using field disease resistance screening, physiological analyses, and metabolomics. The results showed that sweet cherry cultivar Q8 exhibited relatively strong resistance to BSD, while cultivar Q9 demonstrated the weakest resistance. Physiological experiments revealed that the changes in relative electrical conductivity (REC), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and relative water content (RWC) of the disease-resistant cultivar Q8 were smaller than those of Q9 within 9 days under A. alternata infection. At 9 days post-infection (dpi), the relative electrical conductivity (REC) of Q9 (57.78%) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of Q8 (49.01%), whereas the relative water content (RWC) of Q8 (78.29%) was significantly (p < 0.05) greater than that of Q9 (67.88%). For malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, Q8 reached its peak value (27.81 nmol/g) at 3 dpi, while Q9 attained its maximum (27.80 nmol/g) at 9 dpi. At 3 dpi and 9 dpi, Q8 consistently maintained a significantly (p < 0.05) higher RWC than Q9. Linolenic acid metabolism and unsaturated fatty acids were found to be involved in the disease resistance process, and Pinellic acid might be a bioactive metabolite conferring disease resistance. The disease-resistant metabolic pathways and bioactive metabolites identified in this study may be conserved in plants beyond sweet cherry, providing a theoretical basis for disease-resistant breeding of sweet cherry. Full article

Jasmonate ZIM-domain (JAZ) family genes, which belong to TIFY family, are plant-specific transcriptional repressors. As key regulators of the jasmonic acid signaling pathway, JAZ proteins play crucial roles in various aspects of plant biology. However, the identification and functional characterization of JAZ genes in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) fruit remain unknown. In the present study, we identified nine JAZ members in the sweet cherry genome. We systematically analyzed the gene structures, protein domains, evolutionary relationships, and physicochemical properties of these members and also evaluated their expression levels across different fruit developmental stages, as well as under methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment. Among these members, our results revealed a previously uncharacterized JAZ member, PavJAZ8, as a crucial regulator of fruit aroma traits. Specifically, RT-qPCR analysis showed that PavJAZ8 overexpression modulates the expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis of aroma volatiles, such as PavLOX2, PavLOX3, PavHPL1, PavADH1.1, PavADH1.2, and PavADH7, which are involved in the synthesis of aldehydes and alcohols. Consistent with the gene expression data, analysis of volatile metabolites revealed that PavJAZ8 overexpression significantly inhibited the accumulation of several related aldehydes and alcohols, including hexanal, geraniol, and benzyl alcohol. Furthermore, PavJAZ8 expression was highly responsive to phytohormone treatments, such as abscisic acid (ABA) and MeJA. Further analysis showed that PavJAZ8 interacts with PavMYC2, thereby mediating JA signal transduction. Our results highlight PavJAZ8 as a novel regulator of fruit aroma quality, offering a valuable genetic target for sweet cherry improvement. Full article

In the cherry-growing area of Apulia (Italy), sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivars are commonly grafted onto Prunus mahaleb L. rootstock. This study investigated the influence of the scion on the fruit quality of the rootstock, an aspect that remains largely underexplored in studies of stionic interactions. In an old sweet cherry orchard in the Bari area, several ‘Ferrovia’ trees grafted onto P. mahaleb L. rootstock were observed, where some rootstock individuals had developed fruiting branches below the grafting point. We collected fruits from those mahaleb rootstocks and compared them with fruits produced by non-grafted P. mahaleb L. trees growing in the same orchard. Extracts of grafted and non-grafted mahaleb cherries was analyzed by HPLC-DAD and ¹H-NMR. Anthocyanins, coumaric acid derivatives, organic acids, and reducing sugars were identified in both extracts. Non-grafted mahaleb fruits were characterized by a higher relative content of malic acid, fructose, dihydro-coumaric acid derivatives, and anthocyanins and lower content of α/β glucose and sorbitol, with respect to the grafted mahaleb. The metabolic differences observed between fruits from grafted and non-grafted P. mahaleb L. were further supported by our preliminary NMR-based analysis conducted on fruit juice over two consecutive years. The results suggest that grafting may induce some physiological changes not only in the scion, but also in the rootstock, even in its vegetative (above-ground) organs, if developed. This work represents a novel finding and reinforces the broader understanding that grafting impacts physiological processes in plants. Full article

Chile, the leading exporter of cherries (Prunus avium L.) in the southern hemisphere, faces sustained variations in precipitation patterns and high evaporative demand in its productive areas. The low availability of water during the period of highest environmental demand makes it essential to reduce or suspend irrigation applications. In this scenario, regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) after harvest is an efficient strategy for optimizing water use without compromising orchard yields. This study was conducted over three consecutive seasons in a traditional commercial orchard of ‘Santina’ cherry trees grafted onto Colt rootstock, evaluating the effect of two levels of RDI, moderate (MDI) and severe (SDI), on productive and ecophysiological parameters. Both treatments resulted in water savings of between 10% and 28%, without negatively affecting yield or fruit quality. The SDI treatment, despite reaching higher levels of cumulative water stress, improved intrinsic water use efficiency while maintaining stable photosynthetic efficiency. In addition, an increase in the abundance of fine roots and beneficial rhizosphere bacteria populations, such as Azospirillum and Bacillus, was observed, suggesting the activation of water resilience mechanisms mediated by plant–microbiota interaction, possibly associated with stress-induced ecological memory and microbial legacy effects. These results position after-harvest RDI as a sustainable tool for coping with climate variability and water scarcity in commercial cherry orchards. Full article

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), a temperate fruit species highly sensitive to thermal and hydric stress, faces increasing cultivation challenges in semi-arid regions such as Fez-Meknes (Morocco) due to climate change. This study aims to identify ecologically suitable zones for sweet cherry cultivation by modeling its current potential distribution using the MaxEnt (Maximum Entropy) approach. A total of 1151 georeferenced occurrence records were collected through field surveys and validated with satellite imagery. Nineteen bioclimatic variables from the WorldClim database were initially considered, and a subset with low multicollinearity (|r| < 0.7) was retained for analysis. Model performance, evaluated using the area under the ROC curve (AUC), yielded a high mean value of 0.960 ± 0.014, indicating excellent predictive accuracy. Elevation, annual precipitation (BIO12), and precipitation seasonality (BIO15) emerged as key drivers of the species’ distribution, as confirmed by both Jackknife and SPCPI analyses. Spatial prediction maps highlighted high-suitability zones in the provinces of Ifrane, El Hajeb, Azrou, and Sefrou, aligning with known agro-climatic production areas. In contrast, lower suitability was observed in more arid or heat-prone provinces such as Boulemane and Midelt. These findings provide a robust bioclimatic framework for agroecological planning, supporting adaptive varietal zoning and long-term planning for climate-resilient horticulture. Full article

In early initial tests, the Self-regulating Low-Energy Clay-based Irrigation (S.L.E.C.I.) has provided convincing results. During the DIVAGRI project, S.L.E.C.I. irrigation was plotted against reference drip irrigation and rain-fed control in order to compare soil moisture dynamics across different soil depths (30 cm, 60 cm, and 90 cm), irrigation water use, cherry fruit quality traits and yield, and irrigation water productivity (IWP). The data, collected between 2021 and 2023 at the Fruit Growing Institute–Plovdiv test site, reveals that S.L.E.C.I. system demonstrates a clear robustness from short-term climate fluctuations, maintaining root-zone moisture with greater consistency across depths. This contrasts with higher climate dependency observed in the reference variants. The average water productivity of S.L.E.C.I. irrigation is more than 12 times higher compared with the average IWP for drip irrigation. Probably, the superior ratio stems from two factors: first, S.L.E.C.I. delivered only the water that root tension demanded, and second, there is almost no loss of water to evaporation or deep percolation. Statistical analysis confirms that S.L.E.C.I. reduces variability within the crop, delivering significant improvements in both productivity and uniformity, essential traits for high-value commercial fruit production. Despite facing challenges, S.L.E.C.I. remains a promising sustainable irrigation technology, supporting efficient resource utilization while reducing environmental impact. Full article

Citrus leaf blotch virus (CLBV) is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the genus Citrivirus within the family Betaflexiviridae. It infects a broad range of economically significant fruit crops, including citrus, kiwifruit, and apple. Surveys conducted in the field have documented appreciable incidence rates in several hosts, thereby emphasizing its emerging threat to global pomiculture. Comprehensive surveillance of CLBV genetic diversity is indispensable for predicting strain-specific epidemics and designing durable, broadly protective control strategies. Current surveys of CLBV diversity are still gene-fragment-centric, with whole-genome resolution remaining largely untapped. In this study, an analysis of codon usage bias analysis was performed using all available CLBV full-length genomes. The findings revealed that CLBV exhibits low codon usage bias, with natural selection, rather than mutational drift, being the primary driver. Phylogenetic analysis has been demonstrated to categorize isolates according to their host of origin rather than their geographical location. This observation suggests that host adaptation may supersede spatial structure in CLBV evolution and reinforce natural selection as the dominant force shaping its codon usage landscape. From the perspective of the codon adaptation index, Prunus avium is the host that exerts the greatest influence on the formation of its codon usage bias. The present study provides the first genome-wide portrait of CLBV codon usage bias, offering a robust framework for future investigations into its origin and evolutionary dynamics. Full article

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivation is rapidly expanding in Northern Italy, where excessive vegetative vigor often limits fruit set and quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Prohexadione-calcium (Pro-Ca) on the vegetative growth, productivity, and fruit quality of cv. ‘Tip Top’ sweet cherries grafted onto Gisela 6 and MaxMa 14 rootstocks. The growth regulator was applied twice between the flower bud and petal fall stages. Pro-Ca significantly reduced vigor and increased the fruit setting by 10%, resulting in an yield average of +3 kg per plant. Also preharvest treatment increased average cherry size compared with the control, particularly in plants grafted onto Gisela 6. Moreover, Pro-Ca-treated fruits exhibited a +20% red overcolor extension of the skin, improved skin firmness (+12%), and led to higher nutraceutical properties. In conclusion, Pro-Ca improved plant yield and fruit quality in ‘Tip Top’ sweet cherry, likely through the combined effects on hormonal balance, assimilate allocation, and canopy light distribution, supporting its potential as a valuable growth regulator in high-density sweet cherry orchards. Full article

Pollinators are essential for the productivity of many fruit crops, yet their diversity and abundance can be strongly influenced by local management practices. This study investigates the impact of weed management on the abundance and diversity of wild bee communities in Moroccan cherry orchards (Ain Leuh, Middle Atlas). Using a sampling strategy combining pan traps in the orchard and netting on the cherry flowers and the weeds during the cherry bloom season, we found that weeded orchards had significantly higher bee abundance (i.e., number of specimens), while unweeded orchards supported greater species richness (i.e., number of species). Vegetation structure significantly influences bee activity and the performance of sampling techniques. Yellow pan traps contributed to collecting more individuals in weeded orchards, likely due to enhanced visual contrast in the absence of floral cues. Across all sites, the most observed flower visitors included species from the genera Andrena and Lasioglossum, known as important cherry pollinators. These findings highlight the ecological value of maintaining wildflower resources through reduced weed management intensity and suggest that enhancing floral complexity in orchards can support more diverse and abundant pollinator communities, with potential benefits for crop pollination services. Full article

While sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) are globally recognized for their numerous potential health benefits, yet limited data exist on New Zealand-grown cultivars. This study examined the nutritional and bioactive profiles of six commercial cultivars—Kordia^®, ‘Lapins’, Sweetheart^®, Staccato^®, ‘Bing’, and ‘Rainier’—in both fresh and processed (washed and packaged) forms. All cultivars contained notable levels of minerals, phenolics, and essential nutrients. Fresh cherries had higher mineral content (0.3–0.5 g/100 g) than processed ones (0.2–0.3 g/100 g). Carbohydrates ranged from 16.8 to 18.6 g/100 g in fresh and 15.1–17.5 g/100 g in processed cherries. Dietary fiber was slightly higher in processed samples (0.5–0.6 g/100 g) than fresh (0.2–0.5 g/100 g). Potassium, calcium, and phosphorus were more concentrated in fresh cherries. Major phenolic metabolites included neochlorogenic acid (up to 44.26 mg/100 g), (-)-epicatechin (7.89 mg/100 g), quercetin 3-rutinoside (4.34 mg/100 g), and cyanidin 3-rutinoside (80.42 mg/100 g). Processed ‘Lapins’ and ‘Bing’ retained high levels of neochlorogenic acid (40.98 and 44.26 mg/100 g), indicating minimal loss during processing. This study offers insights into the nutritional and bioactive composition of New Zealand-grown cherries, emphasizing their dietary value and health-promoting compounds such as polyphenols. Full article

Climate change poses a serious threat to biodiversity, particularly for woody species with limited dispersal capacity such as Prunus avium L. (wild cherry). In this study, we assessed potential shifts in its suitable distribution range (SDR) across Türkiye by applying an ensemble modeling framework that combined Generalized Additive Models (GAM), Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt), and Random Forest (RF). We used updated occurrence data (including GBIF and EUFORGEN records) and 11 ecologically relevant bioclimatic variables under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. Model performance was validated using AUC (Area Under the ROC Curve) and TSS (True Skill Statistic) metrics. Results suggest that while 60–70% of current SDRs remain stable by 2100, approximately 10% may be lost, with 20–23% new expansions. Temperature seasonality (Bio4) and seasonal precipitation (Bio15) were consistently identified as dominant predictors across models. Notably, newly suitable habitats are expected to be spatially isolated, limiting natural colonization. Our findings highlight the necessity of proactive conservation planning, including assisted migration and drought-resistant genotype selection, to ensure long-term persistence of wild cherry under changing climates. These results offer actionable insights for adaptive forest management and biodiversity conservation in Mediterranean-type ecosystems. Full article

Southern Chile has become a prominent region for sweet cherry production. However, environmental constraints and low P availability can adversely affect fruit quality and conditions in southern Chile. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of foliar phosphorus (P) on fruit quality, condition, and antioxidant content at harvest and postharvest storage in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cv. Regina was cultivated under a plastic cover in Southern Chile. For this, sweet cherry trees were subjected to three treatments: control (no P), 1.5 L ha⁻¹, and 2.2 L ha⁻¹ foliar P. In our study, no significant effects were observed on average fruit weight, size, or total soluble solids among P treatments. However, P applications increased the proportion of large fruit (>32 mm), enhanced dark mahogany coloration, and pulp antioxidant content (total phenols and anthocyanins). Interestingly, the 2.2 L ha⁻¹ treatment reduced postharvest disorders, including pitting (70%), dehydration (31%), orange peel (56%), and internal browning (29%) compared to the control trees. These results suggest that foliar P application could be an agronomic tool to improve fruit quality and condition in sweet cherry production under plastic covers cultivated in soils with low P availability. Full article