3 research outputs found
Molecular and biochemical differences underlying the efficacy of lovastatin in preventing the onset of superficial scald in a susceptible and resistant Pyrus communis L. cultivar
Riscaldo Superficiale, Pero, Frigoconservazione, Danno da freddo, Maturazione del frutto, AntiossidantiThe molecular and biochemical events underlying the onset of superficial scald in two pear cultivars with
different susceptibility (‘Blanquilla’ and ‘Conference’) was investigated in fruit untreated and treated with
lovastatin, 1-MCP or ethylene. ‘Conference’ pears were characterized by higher content of flavonols and linolenic
acid (18:3), two metabolites related to chilling injury resistance. In this cultivar, the expression level of three
genes belonging to the ascorbate glutathione pathway (APX, DHAR and MDHAR) were constitutively overexpressed,
highlighting the role that endogenous antioxidant potential played in scald control. In the scaldsusceptible
cultivar (‘Blanquilla’) the lovastatin treatment, in contrast to 1-MCP, effectively prevented superficial
scald development and α-farnesene production without affecting fruit ripening. Moreover, lovastatin stimulated
an increased production of ethanol and oleic + cis vaccenic acid (18:1), both compounds being also
involved in cold stress tolerance. In both cultivars, and in contrast to 1-MCP, lovastatin did not impair the
expression level of the genes devoted to ethylene production (ACO, ACS) and perception (ERS1, ERS2). As a
consequence, the expression levels of the genes involved in texture modifications (PG1) and volatile emission
(LOX, HPL, ADH and AAT) were maintained in lovastatin-treated samples allowing the fruit to reach an adequate
final quality.
The results from this study are discussed to highlight the complex regulatory network underlying superficial
scald development in different pear cultivars