Abbreviations: FMP, fruit maturation period; SFM, shortened fruit maturation. 1 Graduate Research Assistant. 2 Professor. Current address: Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Center, 2016 Fanning Bridge Rd. Fletcher, NC 28732-9629. This research
Several strains of Fuji apples were harvested weekly from September through October in 1990 and 1991, and evaluated for maturation and quality after 1 and 7 days at 20 °C following harvest and storage in atmospheres of 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% O2 and air. Results showed that Fuji apples have very low ethylene production rates and little firmness loss during maturation. A change in the postharvest respiration pattern preceded the increase ethylene synthesis. Oxygen concentration during storage directly affected apple respiration rate after removal from storage. Ethylene production rates and internal ethylene concentrations indicated that the apples were still in the preclimacteric stage after 7 to 9 months storage at 0.5%, 1.0%, or 2% O2. Fuji apples develop watercore and tend to have a particular type of corebrowing during maturation on the tree, or during and after storage. The cause is unknown.
Repeated preharvest applications of methyl jasmonate (MJ) to 'Fuji' apple [Malus sylvestris var. domestica (Borkh.) Mansf.] fruit were evaluated for impacts on peel color, size, fruit finish, and maturation. MJ treatments at 2 week intervals began 48 days after full bloom (DAFB) (early season) or 119 DAFB (late season) and fruit were harvested 172 DAFB. MJ treatment stimulated significant increases in peel red color following the initial application and thereafter. Early season MJ treatment reduced fruit diameter and length to diameter ratio but slowed softening and starch hydrolysis. Fruit receiving late season MJ treatments had increased incidence of bitter pit and splitting, shorter green life, and slower softening. Results suggest preharvest application of MJ impacts apple color development and other aspects of fruit quality. Chemical name used: methyl 3-oxo-2-(2-pentenyl)cyclopentane-1-acetate (methyl jasmonate).
Although somatic embryogenesis in vitro has been carried out successfully in a number of plants, a limiting factor in many somatic embryogenic systems is that plantlet regeneration is not obtainable or restricted to low frequencies. We have developed a repetitive, high frequency somatic embryogenic system in pecan (Carya illinoensis) and have identified effective treatments for improved somatic embryo conversion. A 6 to 10 week cold treatment followed by a 5 day desiccation, promoted enhanced root germination and extension, and epicotyl elongation. Light and transmission electron microscopic evaluations of somatic embryo cotyledon development will be presented and related to conversion enhancing treatments and their possible roles in embryo maturation.
Although somatic embryogenesis in vitro has been carried out successfully in a number of plants, a limiting factor in many somatic embryogenic systems is that plantlet regeneration is not obtainable or restricted to low frequencies. We have developed a repetitive, high frequency somatic embryogenic system in pecan (Carya illinoensis) and have identified effective treatments for improved somatic embryo conversion. A 6 to 10 week cold treatment followed by a 5 day desiccation, promoted enhanced root germination and extension, and epicotyl elongation. Light and transmission electron microscopic evaluations of somatic embryo cotyledon development will be presented and related to conversion enhancing treatments and their possible roles in embryo maturation.
Rootstock influence on bloom date and fruit maturation of `Redhaven' peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] was studied over a 3-year period. Rootstock included seedlings (Lovell, Halford, Bailey, and Siberian C) and cuttings (GF677, GF655.2, Damas 1869, and `Redhaven'). Bloom dates of the various combinations differed in all 3 years, with a range of 3.6, 9.1, and 7.3 days in 1988, 1989, and 1990, respectively. Fruit development period differed each year with a range of 3.9, 5.8, and 4.4 days in 1988, 1989, and 1990, respectively. `Weighted-average harvest date also differed with a range of 3.6,2.9, and 5.6 days in 1988, 1989, and 1990, respectively. `Redhaven'/Lovell was the latest blooming and maturing combination in all 3 years of the study.
New Mexican chile peppers were harvested at weekly intervals beginning 105 days after planting (DAP), and evaluated for ethylene (C2H4) production, respiration rates, chlorophyll content, beta-galactosidase activity, polygalacturonase (PG) activity, and fruit firmness. Physiological changes were most apparent in peppers harvested 139-154 DAP. Beta-galactosidase activity increased rapidly beginning 147 DAP, and reached a peak of 24.5 mmol·gfw-1 when peppers were harvested 160 DAP. Polygalacturonase was not detectable at any stage of maturation. Fruit firmness was greatest (35.8 N) at 139 DAP and decreased significantly at 160 DAP. Carbon dioxide production and chlorophyll content were highest in young pods harvested 105 DAP, and decreased steadily thereafter. Ethylene production peaked (0.185-0.202 nl·gfw-1·h-1) in peppers harvested between 146-154 DAP.
Plant regeneration from tissue cultures of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L. ev. YC60) has been observed. Embryogenic callus tissues were initiated when cotyledons of mature seeds were excised and cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with either 22.7 μm 2,4-D or a combination of 4.7 μm 2,4,5-T, 4 μm BA, and 0.5 μm kinetin. Clusters of somatic embryos were found in callus tissue. Maturation of these somatic embryos was effected by transfer of embryogenic callus tissues to MS supplemented with 0.5 μm NAA and 0.25 μm kinetin. Regenerated mature plants were morphologically normal and set fruits containing seeds that germinated normally. Chemical names used: 6-benzylaminopurine (BA); 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D); α - napthaleneacetic acid (NAA); 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T).
Abstract
Fruit samples of grape (Vitis labrusca L., cv. Concord) from 6 vineyard locations were collected at 7 to 10-day intervals beginning prior to veraison and continuing through development of 16% soluble solids for a period of 19 years. The 19-year average date for peak bloom in these vineyards was May 19, for 8% soluble solids development was July 27 (69 days from peak bloom), and for 16% soluble solids development was August 23 (96 days from peak bloom). Heat unit summations were more closely related to development of soluble solids than to changes in either titratable acidity or color. Using degree-day accumulations and effective heat unit summations did not prove to be methods superior to use of the number of calendar days for predicting grape maturation. Predictions from 8 to 16% soluble solids development were more accurate than predicting from peak bloom (when 50% of clusters showed bloom). Variations between years and between vineyard locations within a given year prevented accurate predictions from the 3 methods. Other deterrents observed in predicting development of soluble solids included the cultural variables of fruit load and soil moisture.
Endogenous abscisic acid (ABA), its 2-trans isomer (trans-ABA), phaseic acid (PA), and dihydrophaseic acid (DPA) concentrations were quantified in the peel, aril, and seed of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.). Changes in carbon dioxide (CO2) and ethylene (C2H4) production and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) concentration in the peel and aril were also examined. ACC concentration and CO2 and C2H4 production were high at the beginning of fruit development and gradually decreased toward harvest, which confirms that mangosteen is a nonclimacteric fruit. In the peel and aril, the increase in ABA concentration preceded the decrease in peel firmness and coloring of the peel. This suggests that ABA may induce the maturation of mangosteens. The state of ABA metabolism varied with the part of fruit. In the peel, PA and DPA were not considered to be predominant metabolites of ABA because their concentrations were low compared to ABA throughout fruit development. In contrast, in the aril and seed, it is possible that the PA-DPA pathway may be a main pathway of ABA metabolism because the concentrations of DPA in the aril and of PA in the seed directly coincided with the concentrations of ABA. The differences in the ABA metabolites between aril and seed may be caused by the rate of ABA metabolism. The concentrations of ABA and its metabolite in the seed decreased toward harvest.