Inheritance and genetic control of apple canopy architecture

Naminė obelis (Malus x domestica Borkh.) yra vienas plačiausiai auginamų ir ekonomiškai svarbių vaismedžių. Obels vainiko architektūra yra biologinis požymis, nuo kurio priklauso vaismedžio derėjimo tipas, sąnaudų genėjimui poreikis. Obels vainiko architektūros tyrimai apima augimo reguliatorių taikymo, šakų vystymosi, genėjimo, aplinkos veiksnių poveikio augalų vainiko architektūrai tyrimus. Genetiniai ir fiziologiniai aspektai kol kas mažai ištirti. Tyrimų tikslas – ištirti obels vainiko architektūros paveldėjimą, nustatyti morfologinius ir molekulinius žymenis, susietus su obels vainiko forma ir numatyti jų panaudojimą juvenaliniame raidos tarpsnyje prognozuojant obels hibridų vainiko formą. Pirmą kartą nustatyti koloninės ir svyrančios vainiko formos obelų morfologiniai ir biocheminiai žymenys juvenaliniame raidos tarpsnyje. Šių žymenų naudojimas leidžia atrinkti norimos vainiko formos hibridus pirmais auginimo metais. Nustatyti obels morfologinių požymių, tiesiogiai susietų su vainiko architektūra, paveldėjimo dėsningumai. Ištirta, kad kryžminimuose naudotų koloninių veislių Co genas yra heterozigotinėje būsenoje. Pirmą kartą ištirta augalo hormonų dinamika skirtingos vainiko formos obelų lapuose vegetacijos laikotarpiu. Atskleistas abscizo ir giberelo rūgščių antagonistinis ryšys bei sinergetinis ryšys tarp giberelo rūgšties ir zeatino kontroliuojant obelų tarpubamblio ilgį. Pirmą kartą nustatyti biocheminiai žymenys, tinkami hibridų koloninei vainiko formai prognozuoti juvenaliniame raidos tarpsnyje: koloninės vainiko formos obelims būdingas didelis auksino kiekis, aukštas auksino ir zeatino santykis. Nustatyti molekuliniai ir morfologiniai obelų hibridų būsimos vainiko formos žymenys leidžia prognozuoti hibridų vainiko architektūrą ir atrinkti norimo fenotipo hibridus pirmais auginimo metais. Sukurtas skirtingos vainiko formos hibridų fondas. Nustatyti obels morfologinių požymių, susietų su vainiko architektūros forma, paveldėjimo dėsningumai leidžia kurti optimalias kryptingos obelų selekcijos programas, parenkant kryžminimo komponentus ir vykdant ankstyvą hibridų atranką.Apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) is one of the most widespread and economically important fruit trees. Canopy architecture of an apple determines fruit bearing and demand for pruning. Main apple canopy architecture topics are related to application of growth regulators, fertilizers, studies of shoot development and pruning, and environmental influence. Genetic and physiologic aspects are studied less. The aim of the research was to investigate inheritance of apple tree canopy architecture, to identify morphological and molecular markers related to canopy architecture and to evaluate their usage in predicting canopy ideotype of apple seedlings in juvenile phase. Morphological and biochemical markers for selection of columnar and weeping apple seedlings were identified for the first time. Usage of these markers enables to select hybrids with desired canopy form during first year of growing. Regularities of morphological trait inheritance were established. It was established, that Co gene is dominant heterozygous in parental columnar clones. Dynamics of phytohormones in leafs of apple trees with different canopy architecture during vegetation were evaluated for the first time. Antagonistic relation between abscisic and giberelic acids and synergetic link between giberelic acid and zeatin controlling apple internode length was identified. Biochemical markers for identifying columnar seedling canopy in juvenile phase were established for the first time. High amount of auxin and high ratio between auxin and zeatin are specific for columnar apple trees. Morphological and molecular markers for prediction of apple seedling future canopy architecture in juvenile phase identified. Pool of hybrids with different canopy architecture was created. Regularities of morphologic parameters related to canopy architecture inheritance allow creating optimal breeding programs, choosing parental plants and selecting hybrids in juvenile phase.Žemės ūkio akademijaVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

De Novo Transcriptome Analysis of <i>R. nigrum</i> cv. Aldoniai in Response to Blackcurrant Reversion Virus Infection

The most damaging pathogen in blackcurrant plantations is mite-transmitted blackcurrant reversion virus (BRV). Some Ribes species have an encoded genetic resistance to BRV. We performed RNA sequencing analysis of BRV-resistant blackcurrant cv. Aldoniai to evaluate the molecular mechanisms related to the BRV infection response. The RNA of virus-inoculated and mock-inoculated microshoots was sequenced, and the transcriptional changes at 2- and 4-days post inoculation (dpi) were analyzed. The accumulation and expression of BRV RNA1 were detected in infected plants. In total, 159,701 transcripts were obtained and 30.7% were unigenes, annotated in 7 databases. More than 25,000 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) according to FPKM were upregulated or downregulated. We observed 221 and 850 DEGs at 2 and 4 dpi, respectively, in BRV-infected microshoots related to the stress response. The proportion of upregulated DEGs at 4 dpi was about 3.5 times higher than at 2 dpi. Pathways of the virus defense response were activated, and key candidate genes were identified. The phenylpropanoid and the cutin, suberine, and wax biosynthesis pathways were activated in infected plants. Our comparative de novo analysis of the R. nigrum transcriptome provides clues not only for understanding the molecular BRV resistance mechanisms but also for breeding BRV-tolerant genotypes

Molecular markers linked to resistance to the gall mite in blackcurrant

Gall mite (Cecidophyopsis ribis Westw.) is one of the most damaging pests of blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum L.) and is a vector of blackcurrant reversion virus. Ce and P genes provide resistance of blackcurrant to gall mite. A linkage map around the resistance locus controlled by predicted P gene was constructed. Forty-three amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and 19 microsatellite polymorphic markers obtained from analysis of the progeny obtained in cross with P gene donor Dainiai were mapped. The obtained consensus map covers 691.196 cM, with an average marker spacing of 14.706 cM. AFLP fragment CTA-ACC-107 was closely linked to resistance to blackcurrant gall mite and was detected in the sixth linkage group. Screening of cultivars and hybrids with known resistance to gall mite confirmed that this dominant 107-bp AFLP marker is linked to gall mite resistance in a comprehensive range of available Ribes germplasm with different genetic background and it may be used for early diagnosis of resistant to gall mite hybridsLietuvos agrarinių ir miškų mokslų centro filialas Sodininkystės ir daržininkystės institutasVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij

Genetic background of resistance to gall mite in Ribes species

Resistance to gall mite is an important genetic trait of Ribes. P and Ce genes, responsible for gall mite resistance, were established in Ribes species and interspecific hybrids using molecular markers. Resistance in R. americanum is determined by P gene and in R. sanguineum by Ce gene. Both molecular markers were absent in R. dikuscha genome. Molecular markers related to P and Ce genes were identified in the genome of R. aureum. Resistance to gall mite in the field conditions in R. nigrum x R. americanum, R. nigrum x R. aureum and R. nigrum x R. sanguineum F3 hybrids fitted an expected Mendelian segregation ratio of 1:1, 3:1 and 1:1, respectively. 75.0% of hybrids with a pyramidal resistance to gall mite carrying markers related to Ce and P genes were obtained in the cross combination R. nigrum x R. aureum and will be included in the future breeding programs

Naminės obels (Malus × domestica Borkh.) vainiko formos formavimosi prognozė: fitohormonų santykis hibriduose juvenaliniu raidos tarpsniu

Naminės obels (Malus × domestica Borkh.) produktyvumas ir sodų ekonominė nauda priklauso nuo daugelio susijusių veiksnių. Vienas jų yra obels vainiko forma, kuri lemia derėjimo tipą ir genėjimo poreikį. Dažniausiai vykdomi augimo reguliatorių, tręšimo, ūglių vystymosi ir genėjimo tyrimai, o skirtingos vainiko formos augalų fiziologiniai procesai mažiau tyrinėti. Fitohormonai labai svarbūs kontroliuojant augalo augimo ir vystymosi procesus. Nevienodos vainiko formos obelų ūgliuose fitohormonų kiekis skiriasi, tačiau duomenų apie fitohormonus ir jų santykį sodo augaluose juvenaliniu tarpsniu nėra. Tyrimo tikslas – nustatyti fitohormonus ir jų santykį, susijusius su obels vainiko forma juvenaliniu tarpsniu, ir numatyti jų panaudojimą prognozuojant būsimą obels hibridų vainiko formą pirmaisiais hibridų auginimo metais. Nustatyta, kad koloninės vainiko formos obelims būdinga didelis kiekis auksino ir didelis auksino bei zeatino santykis, todėl šie fitohormonai gali būti naudojami kaip molekuliniai žymekliai juvenaliniu raidos tarpsniu. Šis fitohormonų kiekis ir santykis nepriklauso nuo koloninės vainiko formos obels vystymosi tarpsnio ir yra panašus juvenaliniu bei generatyviniu raidos tarpsniais. Pirmaisiais auginimo metais galima atrinkti koloninės vainiko formos hibridus ir taip sumažinti selekcijos kaštusApple tree (Malus × domestica Borkh.) is one of the most widespread and economically important fruit trees. Productivity and economic effect of apple orchards depend on many strongly related factors, one of them being tree canopy architecture, which determines fruit bearing and demand for pruning. Main apple canopy architecture topics are related to application of growth regulators, fertilizers, studies of shoot development and pruning, and environmental influence while physiologic aspects are studied less. Phytohormones play a major role in controlling many physiological processes of plant growth and development. Different amounts of phytohormones are found in the shoots of apple trees depending on their canopy architecture. However, information about phytohormones and their ratio in juvenile orchard plants is insufficient. Our goal was to identify phytohormones related to apple canopy architecture and to evaluate their usage as biochemical markers in predicting future canopy ideotype of apple seedlings in the first year of growth. It was established that large amount of auxin and high auxin to zeatin ratio are specific to columnar apple trees and they can be used as biochemical markers in juvenile phase. These amounts and ratios are similar in juvenile and cropping columnar apple trees, so phytohormone amount and ratio is independent of tree development stage. It is possible to select columnar apple hybrids in the first year of growth, thus reducing breeding expensesVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij

Phenolics, antioxidative activity and characterization of anthocyanins in berries of blackcurrant interspecific hybrids

The interest in phenols and anthocyanins has increased due to their antioxidant properties and to their potential usage as dietary antioxidants in human nutrition. Total phenols and anthocyanin content, composition and stability in berry extracts of blackcurrant interspecific hybrids, and antioxidative activity of extracts was evaluated. Berries of interspecific hybrids accumulated 530 to 614 mg 100 g-1 FW of total phenolic compounds, while 621 mg 100 g-1 FW of phenolics was established in berries of control Ribes nigrum cultivar 'Ben Tirran'. 'Ben Tirran' berries accumulated 444 mg 100 g-1 FW of anthocyanins and higher amount was identified in berries of interspecific hybrids No. 11-13 (R. nigrum × R. petraeum) and No. 57 (R. nigrum × R. aureum), 522 and 498 mg100 g-1 FW respectively. Berry extracts of hybrid No. 11-13 distinguished by the highest antioxidative activity (80%) and it was higher than antioxidant activity of 'Ben Tirran' (70%). Antioxidative activity of all tested berry extracts (70-80%) was twice higher compared to synthetic antioxidant BHT (39%). However correlation between phenolics or total anthocyanin content and antioxidative activity degree was not established. Amount of cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside in berries of hybrids No. 57, No. 11-13 and No. 8 ((R. nigrum × R. americanum) × (R. nigrum × R. americanum)) was higher than in berries of 'Ben Tirran'. It was established that cyanidins are more stable anthocyanins in all studied temperature and irradiation conditions. Therefore interspecific hybrids No. 57 and No. 11-13 were the most agronomically valuable hybrids

Relation between apple-tree yield self-regulation and meteorological conditions during fruit set

Apple has a tendency to bear huge amount of flowers or inflorescences. Plants have ability to eliminate excess number of fruitlets. Frequently fruit trees eliminate insufficient number of fruitlets to grow good quality fruits. Most processes related to yield selfregulation varies significantly between different apples varieties. Also meteorological conditions influenced flower buds differentiation and fruit growth during blooming and other development stages. The investigations were carried out in 2015 – 2016 at the Institute of Horticulture. The main aim was to evaluate yield self-regulation peculiarity in various apple varieties in different meteorological conditions. In our experiment we made fruit self – thinning evaluation of 15 different varieties. Meteorological conditions were varying. In 2015 there was lack of rainfall, while 2016 year was rainy. After each fruit-drop period the number of developed and undeveloped seeds were counted of self-sheded and normally growing fruits. Amount of developed seeds as auxins source is one of the most important factor for yield self-regulation. Varieties of apple which are blooming abundantly and eliminate high amount of fruitlets, grows fruits until maturity with stabile amount of developed seeds and produces permanent harvest annually, independently from meteorological conditions during vegetation. Such apple varieties need higher amount of developed seeds to inhibit abscission. Apple varieties tended to bloom abundantly and eliminate small amount of fruitlets depending on meteorological conditions. Demand of auxins to carry fruits depends on meteorological conditions therefore these apple-trees develop different amount of seeds, when weather conditions changes. We may presume, that different apple varieties need different amount of phytohormones or their ratio to hold fruitlets on the apple. Therefore apple trees with smaller amount of seeds in fruits grow more fruits to its normal size

Characteristics of Fragaria vesca yield parameters and anthocyanin accumulation under water deficit stress

Plants exposed to drought stress conditions often increase the synthesis of anthocyanins—natural plant pigments and antioxidants. However, water deficit (WD) often causes significant yield loss. The aim of our study was to evaluate the productivity as well as the anthocyanin content and composition of berries from cultivated Fragaria vesca “Rojan” and hybrid No. 17 plants (seedlings) grown under WD. The plants were grown in an unheated greenhouse and fully irrigated (control) or irrigated at 50% and 25%. The number of berries per plant and the berry weight were evaluated every 4 days. The anthocyanin content and composition of berries were evaluated with the same periodicity using HPLC. The effect of WD on the yield parameters of two evaluated F. vesca genotypes differed depending on the harvest time. The cumulative yield of plants under WD was not less than that of the control plants for 20–24 days after the start of the experiment. Additionally, berries accumulated 36–56% (1.5–2.3 times, depending on the harvest time) more anthocyanins compared with fully irrigated plants. Our data show that slight or moderate WD at a stable air temperature of about 20 °C positively affected the biosynthesis of anthocyanins and the yield of F. vesca berries

Anthocyanin content and stability in Ribes species and interspecific hybrids

Anthocyanins are widely distributed plant pigments. One of the richest sources of anthocyanins is blackcurrant. Our aim was to establish anthocyanin content in various Ribes species and interspecific hybrids, and to evaluate the stability of anthocyanins in berry extracts depending on light and temperature. Anthocyanins from berries of R. nigrum ‘Ben Tirran’, R. uva-crispa ‘Čiornyj negus’, R. aureum ‘Corona’, R. petraeum ‘Jonkher van Tets’ cultivars, and asymmetric interspecific hybrids of R. nigrum x R. petraeum, R. nigrum x R. uva-crispa and R. nigrum x R. aureum were studied using HPLC. Delphinidins constitute 64 %, cyanidins 31 % and minor anthocyanins up to 5 % of total anthocyanin amount in berries of blackcurrant ‘Ben Tirran’. Cyanidins dominate in berries of gooseberry ‘Čiornyj Negus’ (91.5 %) and golden currant ‘Corona’ (81 %). 6.2 percent of peonidin 3-O-rutinoside was identified in ‘Corona’. Only cyanidins were identified in berries of red currant ‘Jonkher van Tets’. Anthocyanin composition in berries of asymmetric interspecific hybrids was similar to the berries of blackcurrant. Anthocyanin stability in Ribes berry extracts depends on its composition and storage conditions. Red currant berry extract anthocyanins were the most stable, stability of anthocyanin extracts from berries of golden currant and gooseberry was lower, and extracts from blackcurrant were the most degraded. After storage of anthocyanin extracts in dark and cold (+4 oC) conditions up to 90 % of red currant, up to 80 % of gooseberry and golden currant and up to 50 % of black currant cyanidins remained stable. Cyanidins in Ribes berry extracts were more stable than delphinidins in all storage conditionsLietuvos agrarinių ir miškų mokslų centro filialas Sodininkystės ir daržininkystės institutasVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij

Anthocyanins: From the Field to the Antioxidants in the Body

Anthocyanins are biologically active water-soluble plant pigments that are responsible for blue, purple, and red colors in various plant parts-especially in fruits and blooms. Anthocyanins have attracted attention as natural food colorants to be used in yogurts, juices, marmalades, and bakery products. Numerous studies have also indicated the beneficial health effects of anthocyanins and their metabolites on human or animal organisms, including free-radical scavenging and antioxidant activity. Thus, our aim was to review the current knowledge about anthocyanin occurrence in plants, their stability during processing, and also the bioavailability and protective effects related to the antioxidant activity of anthocyanins in human and animal brains, hearts, livers, and kidneys