ATTITUDES OF SERBIAN CONSUMERS TOWARDS DIFFERENT PEPPER FRUITS

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the major vegetable species in the world. In Balkan cuisines, as well as in Serbia, pepper has a very diverse use. Knowledge about consumers habits and preferences is of great importance for a breeding process as well as in the market-orientated production. Because of the lack of information about consumers preferences towards pepper types, in the Serbian market, the present research was conducted. Four hundred and two participants, classified into groups, according to gender, age and education, answered the survey questions. According to this research, the most preferred pepper type in Serbia is kapia, while the bell pepper is the second chosen type. Also, obtained results showed that the most favourite colour of pepper fruit is red. There is a tendency in higher importance of fruit type than fruit colour. The highest percentage of hot pepper consumers prefer medium hot peppers. The obtained trend shows that women generally prefer less spicy pepper fruits than men.

Visual Signalling in Plant-Animal Interactions

<p>The process of visual signalling between plant and animals is often a combination of exciting discoveries and more often than not; highly controversial hypotheses. Plants and animals interact mutualistically and antagonistically creating a complex network of species relations to some extent suggesting a co evolutionary network. In this study, I investigate two basic research questions: the first is how plants utilize aposematic and cryptic colours? The second is how animals are affected by the colour signals broadcasted by plants? By using the avian eye model, I discover how visual signals/colours from plants are actually perceived, and the effects of these signals on birds (not human) perception. Aposematism and crypsis are common strategies utilized by animals, yet little evidence is known of such occurrences in plants. Aposematic and cryptic colours were evaluated by studying different colouration strategy through the ontogeny of two native heteroblastic New Zealand plants: Pseudopanax crassifolius and Elaeocarpus hookerianus. To determine the potential effect of colour signals on animals, I investigated an evolutionary theory of leaf colours constraining the conspicuousness of their fruit colour counterparts. Based on the available data, I also conducted a community level analysis about the effects of fruit colours and specific avian frugivores that might be attracted to them. Finally, I examined the fruit colour selection by a frugivorous seed dispersing insect; the Wellington Tree Weta (Hemideina crassidens). My result shows that aposematic and cryptic colours are successfully applied by plants to either warn or remain inconspicuous from browsing herbivores. The evidence I presented lends support to the Moa browsing hypothesis in relation to constraining the conspicuousness of their fruit colour counterparts. Based on the cryptic plant colourations. However, the same level of selective interaction could not be inferred for frugivore fruit colour selection based on avian vision. I demonstrated that leaf reflectance does not constrain/influence the conspicuousness of fruit colours. There was also no fruit colour diversity based on geographical location. Fruit colour alone is not sufficient to influence a specific frugivore assemblage. Other environmental factors and species interaction must be taken into account. Weta proved to possess colour vision capable of colour perception even in low light conditions. Weta also consistently selected naturally blue streaked and manipulated blue coloured fruits of Coprosma acerosa in a binary test. This supports the idea of weta co- evolving with fruit colours of certain divaricating plants in New Zealand. I suggest that the fruit colours of New Zealand are shaped by the combined selection pressure from birds, lizards/geckos and weta.</p>

Visual Signalling in Plant-Animal Interactions

<p>The process of visual signalling between plant and animals is often a combination of exciting discoveries and more often than not; highly controversial hypotheses. Plants and animals interact mutualistically and antagonistically creating a complex network of species relations to some extent suggesting a co evolutionary network. In this study, I investigate two basic research questions: the first is how plants utilize aposematic and cryptic colours? The second is how animals are affected by the colour signals broadcasted by plants? By using the avian eye model, I discover how visual signals/colours from plants are actually perceived, and the effects of these signals on birds (not human) perception. Aposematism and crypsis are common strategies utilized by animals, yet little evidence is known of such occurrences in plants. Aposematic and cryptic colours were evaluated by studying different colouration strategy through the ontogeny of two native heteroblastic New Zealand plants: Pseudopanax crassifolius and Elaeocarpus hookerianus. To determine the potential effect of colour signals on animals, I investigated an evolutionary theory of leaf colours constraining the conspicuousness of their fruit colour counterparts. Based on the available data, I also conducted a community level analysis about the effects of fruit colours and specific avian frugivores that might be attracted to them. Finally, I examined the fruit colour selection by a frugivorous seed dispersing insect; the Wellington Tree Weta (Hemideina crassidens). My result shows that aposematic and cryptic colours are successfully applied by plants to either warn or remain inconspicuous from browsing herbivores. The evidence I presented lends support to the Moa browsing hypothesis in relation to constraining the conspicuousness of their fruit colour counterparts. Based on the cryptic plant colourations. However, the same level of selective interaction could not be inferred for frugivore fruit colour selection based on avian vision. I demonstrated that leaf reflectance does not constrain/influence the conspicuousness of fruit colours. There was also no fruit colour diversity based on geographical location. Fruit colour alone is not sufficient to influence a specific frugivore assemblage. Other environmental factors and species interaction must be taken into account. Weta proved to possess colour vision capable of colour perception even in low light conditions. Weta also consistently selected naturally blue streaked and manipulated blue coloured fruits of Coprosma acerosa in a binary test. This supports the idea of weta co- evolving with fruit colours of certain divaricating plants in New Zealand. I suggest that the fruit colours of New Zealand are shaped by the combined selection pressure from birds, lizards/geckos and weta.</p>

Fruit colour and range size interact to influence diversification

Aim: Different fruit colours are associated with dispersal by different frugivores, largely based on colour vision type. Frugivore mobility affects overall range size for the plant being dispersed. Here we determine the interaction between different fruit colours, range sizes, and diversification rates by testing two hypotheses: That (1) fruit colours attractive to birds have larger range sizes due to their higher dispersal ability, and that (2) different frugivore disperser groups, bird or mammal, leads to different diversification rate at different range size, where intermediate range size leads to the highest diversification rate. Location: Global. Time period: Contemporary (or present). Major taxa studied: Palms (Arecaceae). Methods: Using model selection, we identified three groups of colours with similar diversification rate and likely disperser. Range sizes were estimated and categorized species as small, intermediate, or large-ranged. For model selection and to determine the relationship beween fruit color, range size and diversification rate we used Multi-State Speciation and Extinction (MuSSE) models. Results: Species with intermediate range size had the highest net diversification for all three fruit colour groups. Bird-dispersed palms more likely diversified at small than at large range size while mammal-dispersed palms more likely diversified at larger range size than small. Fruit colours associated with mammal dispersal had more large-ranged species than colours associated with bird dispersal. Main conclusions: The associated between intermediate range size and higher diversification rate indicates that spatial factors that affect diversification at small and large range sizes result in higher diversification at intermediate ranges. We find striking differences in diversification rate within each range size category between fruit color groups. This suggests that the relationship between diversification rate and range size depends on the specific frugivorous dispersers and their dispersal patterns. This study reveals how fruit traits alter dispersal patterns and how that, in turn, influences diversification.

Quality Evaluation of the Ready-to-Eat Avocado cv. Hass

Consumer interest in avocado fruit has increased in the last decade in Europe. Nutritional and quality attributes affect the choice of these fruits, whose characteristics must also be maintained in the postharvest period. The preference regarding the feasibility of eating ripe fruits can assure and improve the success of the emerging marketing of avocados. The exposure of fruits to exogenous ethylene (C2H4) treatment can accelerate the process of fruit ripening. The aim of this work was at improving the existing knowledge about the quality traits of avocado cv. Hass fruits at the ready-to-eat stage. The most important qualitative traits (weight loss, dry matter content, hardness pulp, and external and internal fruit colour) were evaluated up to 96 hours, maintaining the fruit at two different temperatures, T1 (+8°C) and T2 (+17°C). A trained sensory panel was conducted at 96 hours to confirm the quality of avocado cv. Hass ripened with exogenous C2H4.

Cross-pollination affects fruit colour, acidity, firmness and shelf life of self-compatible strawberry

Cross-pollination affects the fruit characteristics of many crops but the effects of cross-pollination on fruit quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) are poorly known. This study determined how cross-pollination affects fruit quality of the strawberry cultivar, Redlands Joy, under controlled environment conditions. Plants were allocated to one of four treatments, with all flowers on each plant receiving either: (1) unassisted self-pollination (Autogamy); (2) hand-pollination with Redlands Joy pollen (Self); (3) hand-pollination with cross-pollen from a small-fruited cultivar (Sugarbaby); or (4) hand-pollination with cross-pollen from a large-fruited cultivar (Rubygem). Cross-pollination did not significantly affect plant yield or fruit mass, size, shape, firmness or shelf life. However, cross-pollination affected fruit colour and taste attributes. Cross-pollinated fruit were 3%–5% darker than self-pollinated fruit. They also had 26%–34% lower acidity and 43%–58% higher Brix:acid ratio. Cross-pollination by Sugarbaby increased fruit P, K, Ca, Fe and Mn, but decreased B, Cu and Zn, concentrations. Cross-pollination by Rubygem increased fruit Mn, but decreased K and Na, concentrations and reduced shelf life. Fruit mass, length, diameter and firmness within all treatments increased with increasing numbers of fertilized seeds per fruit. Hand self-pollinated fruit had a higher percentage of fertilized seeds than fruit arising from autogamy and they were also darker, redder, firmer, and had a longer shelf life, higher protein concentration, and lower Al and Na concentrations. The results indicate that strawberry fruit quality can be affected by both the source of pollen and the number of stigmas pollinated.

Fruit Colour and Novel Mechanisms of Genetic Regulation of Pigment Production in Tomato Fruits

Fruit colour represents a genetic trait with ecological and nutritional value. Plants mainly use colour to attract animals and favour seed dispersion. Thus, in many species, fruit colour coevolved with frugivories and their preferences. Environmental factors, however, represented other adaptive forces and further diversification was driven by domestication. All these factors cooperated in the evolution of tomato fruit, one of the most important in human nutrition. Tomato phylogenetic history showed two main steps in colour evolution: the change from green-chlorophyll to red-carotenoid pericarp, and the loss of the anthocyanic pigmentation. These events likely occurred with the onset of domestication. Then spontaneous mutations repeatedly occurred in carotenoid and phenylpropanoid pathways, leading to colour variants which often were propagated. Introgression breeding further enriched the panel of pigmentation patterns. In recent decades, the genetic determinants underneath tomato colours were identified. Novel evidence indicates that key regulatory and biosynthetic genes undergo mechanisms of gene expression regulation that are much more complex than what was imagined before: post-transcriptional mechanisms, with RNA splicing among the most common, indeed play crucial roles to fine-tune the expression of this trait in fruits and offer new substrate for the rise of genetic variables, thus providing further evolutionary flexibility to the character.

Reliability of a Handheld Bluetooth Colourimeter and Its Application to Measuring the Effects of Time from Harvest, Row Orientation and Training System on Nectarine Skin Colour

This work aimed to (i) determine the reliability of a portable Bluetooth colourimeter for fruit colour measurements; (ii) characterise the changes in quantitative skin colour attributes in a nectarine cultivar in response to time from harvest; and (iii) determine the influence of row orientation and training system on nectarine skin colour. The skin colour attributes measured with the colourimeter, namely L*, a* and b*, were calibrated and validated against a reference spectrophotometer. C* and h° were obtained from a* and b*. Skin colour was measured in situ from 42 days before to 6 days after harvest on ‘Majestic Pearl’ nectarines subjected to different row orientations and training systems. Validation models showed high reliability of colour estimations. The trends of colour attributes over time were characterised by cubic regression models, with h° proving to be the best parameter to describe changes of colour over time, with a clear link to the maturation process. No significant effects of row orientation and training system on skin colour were observed at harvest. Overall, the device proved reliable for fruit colour detection. Results of this study highlight the potential of h° as a quantitative index to monitor ripening prior to harvest in ‘Majestic Pearl’ nectarines.

Extent of variability in fruit morphological characters of local mango germplasm

A study was conducted on twenty five genotypes of seedling Mangoes to examine fruit morphological characters. Fruit shape of the evaluated germplasm varied enormously and fruits of obovoid, elliptic, round and oblong shapes were found. Fruit apex shape in the evaluated plants was round, acute and obtuse. Depth of fruit stalk cavity was either absent, shallow and of medium type, whereas, fruit neck prominence was absent to slightly prominent in the tested plants. Shape of fruit ventral shoulder was varied and found to be slopping abruptly, rising and then rounded and long curve type in the evaluated germplasm. Fruit beak varies from pointed to perceptible type and fruit sinus was absent to shallow type in the fruits from different plants. Fruit attractiveness varies from very good to excellent and fruit colour from greenish yellow to green colour of fruit skin at maturity was noted in fruits from selected trees. Peel colour of AA-15 was different amongst all the genotypes which were green with red blush. Pulp colour varied from light orange, yellow orange, orange yellow, yellow and light yellow, whereas, pulp texture was soft to intermediate in the evaluated germplasm. Key words: Mangifera indica; Genotype susceptibility; Punjab; India.

A REVIEW ON PLANT PROFILE AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF HYLOCEREUS UNDATUS FRUIT

The dragon fruit is a relatively new super fruit on the Indian market. Because of its appealing fruit colour and mouth-watering pulp with edible black seed imbedded within the pulp, nutraceutical value, excellent export potential, and highly remunerative in nature, it is gaining tremendous popularity among growers. It produces yield from 14-16 months after stem cutting and yield up to 20 years. This review summarizes the phytochemicals which are present in Hylocereus undatus are: Proteins, Steroids, Carbohydrates, alkaloids, Phenolic Compounds, Tannins, Flavonoid’s and Saponins, and pharmacological aspects of dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) are: Antioxidant Activity, Anti-Cancer Activity, Anti- Microbial Activity, Cardio Protective Activity, Pre-biotic Activity.