scholarly journals Foliar Application of Phosphorus Improves Apple Fruit Color During Ripening

Author(s):  
Franci Štampar ◽  
Jan Bizjak ◽  
Robert Veberič ◽  
Jerneja Jakopič

The red color of skin is a much desired property in apple production. For better red fruit coloration the applications of foliar fertilizers on the basis of calcium and phosphorus are used. In the present study ‘Braeburn’ apple trees were sprayed twice with Phostrade Ca (phosphorus), 5 and 3 weeks before harvest. In 7-days intervals fruit color, the content of flavonoids and enzyme activity involved in the synthesis of anthocyanins have been monitored. Foliar application of Phostrade Ca caused a more intense red skin color of apples and higher anthocyanin content. Their level increased during ripening, in treated apples the content of total anthocyanins was 20-fold higher at harvest while in control apples only 9-fold higher compared to the initial values. Cyanidin 3-galactoside was the most abundant anthocyanin (80 to 86% of total anthocyanins), followed by cyanidin 3-arabinoside, cyanidin 3-glucoside, cyanidin 3-xyloside and cyanidin 7-arabinoside. Prostrade Ca increased the levels of all quercetin glycosides, with the exception of quercetin 3-rhamnoside. No significant influence of Phostrade Ca on the content of hydroxycinnamic acids, dihydrochalcones, flavanols and total phenolics has been monitored. The activity of FHT and DFR increased during ripening but Phostrade Ca influenced only higher activity of DFR.

Author(s):  
Emine Ece Mercan ◽  
Mehtap Şahin-Çevik

Abstract Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments responsible for red, pink, purple or blue coloration in the flesh and/or skin of apple fruit. Since consumers prefer anthocyanin rich fruits due to their health benefits, anthocyanin content is an important trait for marketability of apples. Synthesis and accumulation of anthocyanins are controlled by environmental and genetic factors such as transcription factors (TFs). Two-repeat (R2R3) MYB TFs are involved in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in plants. In this study, the expression of the MdMYBA and MdMYB3 genes encoding R2R3 type MYB TFs were analyzed in apple cultivars with fruit skin color from green to dark red at different growth stages. Fruit samples were collected from “Scarlet Spur”, “Galaxy Gala”, Golden Delicious” “Granny Smith” apple cultivars with dark red, light red, yellow and green fruits, respectively, at four different time periods after full-bloom. Total RNA was isolated from the peel of the collected fruits and the expression of the MdMYBA and MdMYB3 genes was analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. The expression of the MdMYBA gene started to increase at 92 DAFB and thereafter in red-skin apples; however, no expression was observed at any time points in yellow or green-skin apple cultivars. On the other hand, the MdMYB3 gene was expressed in red-skin and yellow-skin apple cultivars starting at 55 DAFB, but no expression was observed in green apple cultivar at any time of fruit maturation. The expression levels of the MdMYBA and MdMYB3 genes varied in apple fruits with different skin coloration indicating that they play a role regulation of the anthocyanin biosynthesis in apple cultivars during fruit maturation.


HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 959-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jungmin Lee ◽  
Chad E. Finn ◽  
Ronald E. Wrolstad

The total anthocyanin and total phenolic content of wild (samples from 4 populations) and cultivated (samples from 32 populations) Pacific Northwestern American Vaccinium species (V. membranaceum, V. ovalifolium, and V. deliciosum) were evaluated. The total monomeric anthocyanin content of all huckleberry samples analyzed ranged from 101 to 400 mg/100 g (expressed as cyanidin-3-glucoside), and the total phenolics varied from 367 to 1286 mg/100 g (expressed as gallic acid). Cluster analysis separated the samples into four different groups based on their anthocyanin and total phenolic content. Two groups had greater anthocyanin pigment and total phenolics; one consisted entirely of cultivated V. ovalifolium (LIG10, VAC485, VAC487, LIG33, LIG9, LIG2, and VAC349) and the other consisted of just cultivated V. membranaceum (LIG25). Significant variations in total anthocyanins, total phenolics, and the ratio of the total anthocyanins and total phenolics were observed among the different V. membranaceum, V. ovalifolium, and V. deliciosum populations cultivated in the Willamette Valley, Ore. The profile of the individual anthocyanins of the wild V. membranaceum, wild V. ovalifolium, and V. corymbosum `Rubel' were conducted by high-performance liquid chromatography. The chromatograms of V. membranaceum, V. ovalifolium, and `Rubel' were distinctly different in the amounts of delphinidin, cyanidin, and malvidin glycosides.


2003 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen S. Miller ◽  
George M. Greene

Replicated studies were conducted from 1996 to 1999 to evaluate the effect of a metalized reflective film (RF) on red color development in several apple (Malus ×domestica) cultivars that often develop poor to marginal color in the mid-Atlantic growing region. Film was applied to the orchard floor in the middle between tree rows or under the tree beginning 5 to 7 weeks before the predicted maturity date. Light reflected into the canopy from the RF was measured and compared with a standard orchard sod, a killed sod or various polyethylene films. Fruit color was estimated visually and with a hand-held spectrophotometer. Fruit quality (firmness, soluble solids, starch index) was determined from a representative sample of fruit. RF increased the level of photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) reflected into the canopy resulting in darker, redder colored `Delicious', `Empire', and `Fuji' apples with a greater proportion of surface showing red color. RF increased canopy temperature and fruit surface temperature. A white polyethylene film increased reflected PPF and fruit color, but generally not to the extent of the metalized RF. Large [>13 ft (4.0 m) height] well-pruned `Delicious' trees showed increased fruit color, especially when the RF was placed under the canopy, but `Empire' trees of similar size and a more dense canopy showed no effect. The effect of the RF was most pronounced in the lower portion [up to 8 ft (2.4 m) height] of the canopy. A high-density RF was as effective as a low-density RF and the high-density film was about 60% less expensive. A high-density RF may be a cost effective method to enhance red color on selected apple cultivars in the mid-Atlantic region. Comparisons between ethephon and the RF were variable: ethephon appeared to have more effect on color in `Empire' than the RF, but less effect than the RF on `Hardibrite Delicious'. Ethephon consistently advanced fruit maturity. Chemical name used: (2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid (ethephon).


Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 266
Author(s):  
Jerneja Jakopic ◽  
Valentina Schmitzer ◽  
Robert Veberic ◽  
Tina Smrke ◽  
Franci Stampar

Nitrogen is an integral element of foliar sprays during apple fruit formation. However, in red cultivars, the application may have adverse effects on color in the second stage of fruit development. The effect of a low-dose foliar application of urea was monitored on ‘Topaz’ apple pomometric (fruit mass, firmness, total solids, starch content, skin color) and biochemical traits (primary metabolites, phenolic compounds, and assimilatory pigments). Three applications (17 July, 27 July, and 18 August) of two different urea doses (N1 = 1.4 kg N ha−1; N4 = 4 kg N ha−1) and control (N0, only sprayed with water) were used. Low doses of urea did not affect flesh firmness, total soluble, solid, and starch content, but individual fruit mass was significantly higher in N1 treatment compared to the other two treatments. Significantly lower a* parameters and a lower content of anthocyanins were measured on apples subject to N4 treatment. Many secondary metabolites (phenolic acids, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, and chalcones) were also negatively affected by low-dose urea application. Conversely, urea treatments significantly increased total assimilatory pigments in apple skin. Even minor levels of nitrogen, applied directly on the leaf at later stages of red apple fruit development, negatively altered color traits and the composition of metabolites.


HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 1234-1237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ikuo Kataoka ◽  
Kenji Beppu

The contribution of the UV light component on the skin coloration was determined in `Hakuho' peach. Detached fruit partially covered with a UV-proof polyvinylchloride (PVC) film and a polyethylene film were exposed to sunlight for 4 days. Red coloration of the fruit and anthocyanin content in the skin were considerably reduced with the UV-proof PVC film. Irradiation with a UV fluorescent lamp at 3.58 W·m-2 markedly enhanced the red color development, while white fluorescent light at 120 μmol·m-2·s-1 did not affect the coloration. UV irradiation also increased the anthocyanin content in the cultured skin discs with increasing irradiance up to above 7.3 W·m-2. These results suggest that the UV component contributes significantly to the enhancement of the fruit coloration by sunlight exposure.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Burhan Ozturk ◽  
Kenan Yıldız ◽  
Halil Erdem ◽  
Orhan Karakaya ◽  
Ahmet Ozturk

Effects of pre-harvest aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG, 250 mg L–1) and zinc (0.3% ZnSO4) treatments on pre-harvest fruit drops, internal ethylene concentration (IEC), flesh firmness, color characteristics (L*, chroma and hue angle), soluble solids content (SSC), acidity, total phenolics, antioxidant activity, flesh and leaf micronutrients and macronutrients of ‘William’s Pride’ apples, were investigated in this study. AVG was sprayed 4 weeks before the anticipated harvest date and Zn was sprayed when the fruits reached the size of a walnut. As compared to the control, both the single AVG and zinc treatments significantly reduced the pre-harvest drops. However, combined AVG + Zinc treatments were found to be more effective in reducing the pre-harvest drops. At the last measurement date (15th of August), 60% fruit drop was measured in control, but 22% in AVG + Zinc treatment. AVG and AVG + Zinc treatments reduced ethylene synthesis. On the other hand, single zinc treatments stimulated ethylene synthesis. AVG treatments retarded red skin color development, but zinc treatments again stimulated red color development. As compared to the control and single zinc treatments, AVG-treated fruits had greater firmness and acidity values, but lower SSC values. While AVG treatments increased the total phenolics and antioxidant activity, zinc treatments decreased these attributes. As compared to the control, zinc treatments significantly increased flesh Cu, N, P and K contents and leaf Mn, N and P contents. Based on present findings, it was concluded that AVG could be used as an efficient tool to reduce the pre-harvest drops in apples.


2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 54-59
Author(s):  
K. Udovychenko ◽  
Ya. Ivanovych ◽  
N. Triapitsyna

Aim. To estimate the possibilities of using the promising apple cultivars, created by the Institute of Horticul- ture (IH) NAAS, in the breeding programs according to the availability of valuable allele variants of gene Rf, related to red color of apple fruit. Methods. Polymerase chain reaction, electrophoresis in agarose gel, the evaluation of phenotype manifestation of the color trait of apple skin according to the grading system. Results. 17 genotypes of apple cultivars of different genetic origin, including 12 cultivars, breeded by IH NAAS, were identifi ed by allele variants of gene Rf. The comparison was made between the genetic analysis results and visual observations of the phenotype manifestation of fruit skin color of different apple cultivars. Conclusions. Apple cultivars Amulet, Perlyna Kyeva and Edera, which are homozygous carriers of dominant alleles А 1 and А 2 of gene Rf are recommended as basic forms in selection programs. It was demonstrated that exact prediction of apple skin color was possible only in case of the available homozygous genotype by both alleles of gene Rf.


HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 1207-1208 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Iglesias ◽  
J. Graell ◽  
G. Echeverría ◽  
M. Vendrell

The influence of supplemental sprinkler irrigation on fruit color of `Oregon Spur Delicious' (Trumdor) apples (Malu×domestica Borkh.) was evaluated in the area of Lleida (NE Spain) over a 3-year period. Cooling irrigation was applied for 2 hours daily for 25-30 days preceding the harvest. Three treatments were evaluated: 1) control without overtree sprinkler irrigation; 2) sprinkler irrigation applied at midday; and 3) sprinkler irrigation applied at sunset. Fruit color was significantly affected by the cooling irrigation and also by the weather of the particular year. Increased red color and higher anthocyanin content resulted from sprinkler irrigation, especially when applied at sunset. At harvest, anthocyanin content was correlated with a*/b* and hue angle, suggesting that the colorimeter measurements could provide a nondestructive estimate of anthocyanin content.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 857-870
Author(s):  
Fernando Gonçalves ◽  
João Carlos Gonçalves ◽  
Ana Cristina Ferrão ◽  
Paula Correia ◽  
Raquel P. F. Guiné

AbstractRecently, edible flowers (EF) have aroused increased interest because of their aesthetic properties as well as potential health benefits related to the occurrence of some bioactive compounds. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the total phenolics, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity (AOA) (following DPPH and ABTS methods) in eleven EF. The samples were subjected to three successive extraction steps using methanol, and these extracts were then analysed for the aforementioned properties using spectrophotometric methods. The obtained extracts were used for the quantification of phenolic composition and AOA. The results indicated that, among the flowers analysed in this study, red rose, pink rose, and red carnation possessed the highest total phenolic contents (27.53, 23.30, and 18.17 mg g−1 gallic acid equivalents, respectively), total anthocyanins (3.07, 1.97, and 4.47 mg g−1 catechin equivalents [CE], respectively), and AOA (12.07, 15.77, and 12.93 mg g−1 TE, respectively, as given by the DPPH method or 8.23, 9.27 and 8.00 mg g−1 TE, respectively, as given by the ABTS method). The flowers with highest flavonoids contents were red carnation, Mexican marigold, and pink rose (17.50, 16.90, and 16.57 mg g−1 CE, respectively). Cluster analysis grouped the analysed flowers into two groups, those richest in phenolics with AOA and those not so rich. Finally, some important correlations were observed between the total phenolics and the AOA. In conclusion, these flowers could represent a potential source of natural compounds with antioxidant capacity.


Plant Disease ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 485-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvana Soto-Alvear ◽  
Mauricio Lolas ◽  
Inés M. Rosales ◽  
Eduardo R. Chávez ◽  
Bernardo A. Latorre

Apple fruit in Chile are primarily produced for export to Asia, Europe, and the United States, which typically requires 15 to 40 days of maritime transportation. Therefore, Chilean apple production must fulfill the sanitization requirements imposed by the receiving countries. Under these circumstances, it was important to clarify the etiology of bull's eye rot that can severely affect ‘Cripps Pink’ apple and other late-harvest cultivars in Chile. Based on morphological characteristics and the partial sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer sequences and β-tubulin genes, Neofabraea alba was identified as the causal agent of the bull's eye rot of Chilean apple. These results were further corroborated using species-specific primers. The incidence of bull's eye rot varied considerably; for instance, in 2009, 0.0 to 58.7% in 38 Cripps Pink orchards surveyed in the relatively arid and humid apple-growing areas of Chile, respectively. There was no evidence for the presence of N. malicorticis or N. perennans, which are commonly identified as causal agents of bull's eye rot in other apple-producing countries. Altogether, these data suggest that N. alba might represent the predominant and possibly the only cause of bull's-eye rot of Chilean apple.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document