Transcriptome analysis and postharvest behavior of the kiwifruit `Actinidia deliciosa¿ reveal the role of ethylene-related phytohormones during fruit ripening

Kiwifruit are climacteric fruit, so they must be harvested before they are fully ripe, allowing for the extension of their shelf-life via cold storage. Therefore, an adequate knowledge about how ethylene-induced fruit senescence is required to avoid significant economic losses. The main goal of the present study was to investigate the kiwifruit ripening process at the physiological and molecular levels by RNA-seq after 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP, ethylene inhibitor) and Ethrel® (ethylene stimulator) treatments. The results showed that Ethrel® (ethephon) treatment induced more accelerated fruit ripening, leading to rapid fruit senescence, meanwhile 1-MCP caused a slowing flesh softening, and thus a longer shelf-life period. The RNA-seq was carried out on the fruit after 4 and 13 days, considering day 4 as the most determinant in terms of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The sequencing achieved 70.7% alignment with the `Hongyang¿ genome, obtaining 18,036 DEGs. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network shows the interaction between different pathways in two main clusters: (1) pentose and glucoronate interconversions, citrate cycle, glycolysis and gluconeogenesis or starch, and sucrose metabolism and (2) porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism. The first cluster is mainly interconnected by G6PD1 (pentose pathway); E1 ALPHA and ACLB-2 (citrate cycle); Achn209711 (pentose and glucoronate); LOS2 (glycolysis); HKL1 and HXK1 (glycolysis¿starch and sucrose); and PHS2 (starch and sucrose). In the second cluster, GUN5 through PORA is interacting with CRD1 and NYC1 which were overexpressed by 1-MCP in the porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism. In addition, genes linked to PSBY and PSBP photosynthesis-linked proteins in photosystem 2 were overexpressed by 1-MCP which is undoubtedly related to chlorophyll degradation and fruit senescence. These results suggest that in kiwifruit, the main pathways that are regulated by ethylene-induced senescence comprise sugar catabolism and chlorophyll degradation.The authors would like to thank the National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT) of Chile government through the project FONDEF N° D09i-1136. Additionally, we thank the Seneca Foundation in the region of Murcia (Spain) through the Regional subprogram “Saavedra Fajardo” (20397/ SF/17) and Ministry of Science and Innovation through the project “Juan de la Cierva Incorporación” N° IJC2018-0366-

Characterization of texture attributes of raw almond using a trained sensory panel

Introduction. Texture parameters are important factors for characterizing the sensory quality of raw almonds; nevertheless there is scarce literature that explores sensory differences among cultivars. The aim of this study was to characterize quality attributes of different raw almond cultivars. Materials and methods. The almond cultivars ‘Nonpareil’, ‘Mission’, ‘Supernova’, ‘Tuono’, ‘Ferragnès’ and ‘Marcona’ were used to characterize their industrial and sensory quality attributes. A panel of 14 assessors with previous experience in testing stone fruit was specifically trained on descriptive analysis for determining quality and particularly texture of raw almonds. Results and discussion. A direct relationship was observed between kernel yield and shell fracture resistance; the American cultivars ‘Nonpareil’, and ‘Mission’ showed more minor shell fracture resistance than the European. ‘Tuono’ stood out for being tasty, crunchy and hard, whereas ‘Marcona’ was noted for its color intensity, crispness and hardness; but it lacked taste. ‘Supernova’ was described as tasty. Conclusion. A 5-h training period proved to be adequate for characterizing raw almond cultivars. The panel was able to discriminate between cultivars and segregate ‘Nonpareil’ and ‘Mission’ from the other cultivars in terms of texture attributes

Identification of loci controlling phenology, fruit quality and post-harvest quantitative parameters in Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.)

Japanese plums are popular fruits since they are exceptionally nutritious with high fiber and antioxidant content. This work has aimed to analyze the most critical phenology, fruit quality and postharvest parameters from a genomic point of view to identify molecular markers closely linked to the most significant Quantitative trait loci (QTLs). A genetic linkage map of an F1 population of 151 individuals from the cross ''98-99' x 'Angeleno' was constructed using previously reported Single Nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data and 25 additional Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers. Twenty-three phenotypic traits evaluated during three harvest seasons were assayed to estimate best linear unbiased predictors by using two genomic association QTL analysis approaches: General Linear Model-based single marker-trait associations (GLM) and Multiple QTL Model analyses (MQM). In addition, loss of weight and chlorophyll degradation between days 1 and 7 as well as fruit softening for days 1, 4, and 7 were monitored during two consecutive seasons. The most significant identified QTLs were linked to fruit development period and fruit weight in Linkage Groups (LG) 4 and 2, respectively. Regarding postharvest parameters, the identified QTLs related to chlorophyll degradation and loss of weight showed lower significance than phenology or fruit quality traits. In contrast, minor QTLs for fruit firmness evolution using destructive and non-destructive methods were confirmed in LG 4 and 5.National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT) of Chile government through FONDECYT Postdoctoral fellowship 3160080 FONDECYT Starting Into Research 11150662 Comision Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (CONICYT) CONICYT FONDECYT 1191446 Subprograma Regional "Saavedra Fajardo" project 20397/SF/17 project "Breeding stone fruit species assisted by molecular tools" from the "Fundacion Seneca" of Murcia (Spain) 19879/GERM/15 Juan de la Cierva Incorporacion IJC2018-036623-

Development and applicability of GBS approach for genomic studies in Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.)

© 2018, © 2018 The Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology Trust. Genotyping by sequencing (GBS) provides a large quantity of useful data suitable for the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), facilitating accurate genomic studies in plant species. In this study, GBS-based SNPs were used to characterise 11 Japanese plum cultivars and to explore their natural allelic diversity in relation to the most important phenology events (flowering date, ripening date and fruit development period) and fruit quality traits (weight, shape, skin and flesh colour, over colour, skin and flesh chlorophyll index, flesh firmness and soluble solids concentration). GBS-based SNPs were shown to be a powerful tool for genetic diversity and other genomic studies where SNP markers were related to several traits, particularly for flowering date, ripening date, fruit development period, skin chlorophyll degradation, flesh chlorophyll degradation and flesh colour. These results repres

Development and applicability of GBS approach for genomic studies in Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.)

© 2018, © 2018 The Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology Trust. Genotyping by sequencing (GBS) provides a large quantity of useful data suitable for the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), facilitating accurate genomic studies in plant species. In this study, GBS-based SNPs were used to characterise 11 Japanese plum cultivars and to explore their natural allelic diversity in relation to the most important phenology events (flowering date, ripening date and fruit development period) and fruit quality traits (weight, shape, skin and flesh colour, over colour, skin and flesh chlorophyll index, flesh firmness and soluble solids concentration). GBS-based SNPs were shown to be a powerful tool for genetic diversity and other genomic studies where SNP markers were related to several traits, particularly for flowering date, ripening date, fruit development period, skin chlorophyll degradation, flesh chlorophyll degradation and flesh colour. These results repres

Evaluating the fitness of PA/I38T-substituted influenza A viruses with reduced baloxavir susceptibility in a competitive mixtures ferret model.

Baloxavir is approved in several countries for the treatment of uncomplicated influenza in otherwise-healthy and high-risk patients. Treatment-emergent viruses with reduced susceptibility to baloxavir have been detected in clinical trials, but the likelihood of widespread occurrence depends on replication capacity and onward transmission. We evaluated the fitness of A/H3N2 and A/H1N1pdm09 viruses with the polymerase acidic (PA) I38T-variant conferring reduced susceptibility to baloxavir relative to wild-type (WT) viruses, using a competitive mixture ferret model, recombinant viruses and patient-derived virus isolates. The A/H3N2 PA/I38T virus showed a reduction in within-host fitness but comparable between-host fitness to the WT virus, while the A/H1N1pdm09 PA/I38T virus had broadly similar within-host fitness but substantially lower between-host fitness. Although PA/I38T viruses replicate and transmit between ferrets, our data suggest that viruses with this amino acid substitution have lower fitness relative to WT and this relative fitness cost was greater in A/H1N1pdm09 viruses than in A/H3N2 viruses