Effects of cultivar, fruit number and reflected photosynthetically active radiation on Fragaria x ananassa productivity and fruit ellagic acid and ascorbic acid concentrations

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A number of strawberry varieties were surveyed for their total ellagic acid concentration, and attempts were made to determine if ellagic acid and ascorbic acid concentrations of two strawberry cultivars could be increased by polythene reflective mulches. METHODS: After adjusting crop yields and cultivation using polythene mulches with two different PAR reflective capacities, field- and polytunnel-grown strawberries were analysed for ellagic acid and ascorbic acid concentrations by HPLC. Comparative measurements of yield and fruit quality were determined along with plant developmental changes. KEY RESULTS: Ellagic acid concentration varied widely with strawberry cultivar (60-341 microg g(-1) frozen weight), as did the ratio of conjugated ellagic acid : free ellagic acid. Also, there was significant year-to-year variation in total ellagic acid concentration with some cultivars. Mulches with different reflective capacities impacted on strawberry production; highly reflective mulches significantly increased growth and yield, the latter due to increases in fruit size and number. CONCLUSIONS: Highly reflective mulches significantly increased total concentrations of ellagic acid and ascorbic acid relative to control in fruit of different cultivars. The potential of agronomic practices to enhance the concentration and amounts of these important dietary bioactive compounds is discussed.     

Gain and loss of fruit flavor compounds produced by wild and cultivated strawberry species

The blends of flavor compounds produced by fruits serve as biological perfumes used to attract living creatures, including humans. They include hundreds of metabolites and vary in their characteristic fruit flavor composition. The molecular mechanisms by which fruit flavor and aroma compounds are gained and lost during evolution and domestication are largely unknown. Here, we report on processes that may have been responsible for the evolution of diversity in strawberry (Fragaria spp) fruit flavor components. Whereas the terpenoid profile of cultivated strawberry species is dominated by the monoterpene linalool and the sesquiterpene nerolidol, fruit of wild strawberry species emit mainly olefinic monoterpenes and myrtenyl acetate, which are not found in the cultivated species. We used cDNA microarray analysis to identify the F. ananassa Nerolidol Synthase1 (FaNES1) gene in cultivated strawberry and showed that the recombinant FaNES1 enzyme produced in Escherichia coli cells is capable of generating both linalool and nerolidol when supplied with geranyl diphosphate (GPP) or farnesyl diphosphate (FPP), respectively. Characterization of additional genes that are very similar to FaNES1 from both the wild and cultivated strawberry species (FaNES2 and F. vesca NES1) showed that only FaNES1 is exclusively present and highly expressed in the fruit of cultivated (octaploid) varieties. It encodes a protein truncated at its N terminus. Green fluorescent protein localization experiments suggest that a change in subcellular localization led to the FaNES1 enzyme encountering both GPP and FPP, allowing it to produce linalool and nerolidol. Conversely, an insertional mutation affected the expression of a terpene synthase gene that differs from that in the cultivated species (termed F. ananassa Pinene Synthase). It encodes an enzyme capable of catalyzing the biosynthesis of the typical wild species monoterpenes, such as alpha-pinene and beta-myrcene, and caused the loss of these compounds in the cultivated strawberries. The loss of alpha-pinene also further influenced the fruit flavor profile because it was no longer available as a substrate for the production of the downstream compounds myrtenol and myrtenyl acetate. This phenomenon was demonstrated by cloning and characterizing a cytochrome P450 gene (Pinene Hydroxylase) that encodes the enzyme catalyzing the C10 hydroxylation of alpha-pinene to myrtenol. The findings shed light on the molecular evolutionary mechanisms resulting in different flavor profiles that are eventually selected for in domesticated species.     

Electrophysiological and behavioral identification of a volatile blend involved in host location of female strawberry sap beetle,Stelidota geminata

The strawberry sap beetle (SSB), Stelidota geminata (Say) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), is a serious direct pest of strawberries in the northeastern USA. To date, however, no food or pheromone‐based attractants for SSB have been identified. A combination of solid‐phase microextraction, adsorbent sampling, gas chromatography coupled with electroantennographic detection (GC–EAD), and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to identify volatile compounds from strawberry fruit acting as behavioral attractants for female SSB. Consistent EAD activity was obtained for 16 ester compounds. In Y‐tube olfactometer bioassays, the blend of these 16 compounds mixed at a ratio observed from strawberry headspace was significantly more attractive to adult female SSB than a control. Female SSB showed no difference in response levels between the 16‐component blend and a strawberry volatile adsorbent extract. Our data indicate that the combination of the ethyl acetate with some or all of the remaining 15 compounds is necessary for this ester blend to be attractive to female SSB. Previously identified host volatiles found for other species of sap beetles included mostly alcohols associated with over‐ripe fruit rather than the esters identified from ripe strawberries for SSB. A highly attractive synthetic food odor will be useful for developing new management options for SSB.     

Effect of Ground Cover on Splash Dispersal of Phytophthora cactorum from Strawberry Fruits

Abstract A rain simulator was used to investigate the influence of various ground covers (soil, straw, sand, and plastic) on splash dispersal of Phytophthora cactorum , the cause of leather rot of strawberry. Potted strawberry plants were held in a concentric circle by a wood frame, 30 cm from an inoculum source of 10 infected fruits with sporulating lesions. The canopy was exposed to 15 and 30 min of generated rain at intensities of 15 and 30 mm/h. Plastic mulch had the highest resulting fruit disease, incidence (e.g., ca. 80% of fruit infected at 30 min duration and 15 mm/h rain), followed by soil and sand (36–47%), then straw (ca. 15%). Except for straw, there was lower incidence at 30 than at 15 mm/h. There was a general increase in disease incidence over time.     

Signum, a new fungicide with interesting properties in resistance management of fungal diseases in strawberries

Signum, a new fungicide developed by BASF, was applied during 6 successive years against fungal diseases in strawberries. The product is formulated as a water dispersible granule, containing 6.7 % pyraclostrobin and 26.7 % boscalid. Pyraclostrobin is similar in chemistry to other strobilurin fungicides like kresoxim-methyl and trifloxystrobin, registered for fruit disease control. Boscalid belongs to the class of carboxyanilides. Both components in the premix formulation combine two different biochemical modes of action in the fungal cell respiration. Therefore, this co-formulation gives a broad-spectrum activity and also a reduced resistance risk for different target pathogens. Botrytis cinerea is the most important disease on strawberry-fruits and thus the control of fruit rot is mainly focused on this fungus. In average over 6 years, Signum has not only given a very good control against Botrytis fruit rot, but it has also shown a high performance in the control of Colletotrichum. Besides, Signum provides good control of powdery mildew (Podosphaera aphanis) and limits the shift to other fruit rots like leather rot (Phytophthora cactorum and leak (Rhizopus, Mucor). The availability of several categories of fungicide families with a different mode of action gives opportunities in alternating different fungicides and is the best guarantee for a sustainable control of fruit rot in all kinds of strawberry production methods. Signum should be integrated in an overall disease management program. Trials, in which the applications of Signum were timed on disease forecasting, based on environmental factors favorable for Botrytis development, were very promising. This tool can also help in establishing the IPM-concept in the production of strawberries.     

Companion planting to attract pollinators increases the yield and quality of strawberry fruit in gardens and allotments

1. Global pollinator declines have led to concern that crop yields might fall as a result of a pollination deficit. Companion planting is a traditional practice thought to increase yield of insect pollinated crops by planting a co-flowering species next to the crop. 2. Using a combination of conventional researcher-led experiments and observational citizen scientist data, we tested the effectiveness of bee-friendly borage (Borago officinalis) as a companion plant to strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa). Insect visitors to the ‘Test’ (strawberry + borage) versus ‘Control’ (strawberry only) plants were observed, and strawberry fruit collected. Strawberries collected during the researcher-led experiment were also subject to fruit measurements and assessments of market quality. 3. Companion plants were found to significantly increase both yield and market quality of strawberries, suggesting an increase in insect pollination per plant. Test strawberries companion planted with borage produced an average of 35% more fruits, and 32% increased yield by weight. Test strawberry plants produced significantly more fruit of higher aesthetic quality when assessed by Marketing Standards for Strawberries. 4. Although there was no significant difference in the overall insect visits, when broken down by broad insect group there were significantly more flies visiting the test strawberries than controls. 5. These results could have implications for both gardeners and commercial growers. As consumers prefer a cosmetically perfect fruit, the production of fruit with increased aesthetics aids food waste reduction.     

Flower Volatiles,Crop Varieties and Bee Responses

Pollination contributes to an estimated one third of global food production, through both the improvement of the yield and the quality of crops. Volatile compounds emitted by crop flowers mediate plant-pollinator interactions, but differences between crop varieties are still little explored. We investigated whether the visitation of crop flowers is determined by variety-specific flower volatiles using strawberry varieties (Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne) and how this affects the pollination services of the wild bee Osmia bicornis L. Flower volatile compounds of three strawberry varieties were measured via headspace collection. Gas chromatography showed that the three strawberry varieties produced the same volatile compounds but with quantitative differences of the total amount of volatiles and between distinct compounds. Electroantennographic recordings showed that inexperienced females of Osmia bicornis had higher antennal responses to all volatile compounds than to controls of air and paraffin oil, however responses differed between compounds. The variety Sonata was found to emit a total higher level of volatiles and also higher levels of most of the compounds that evoked antennal responses compared with the other varieties Honeoye and Darselect. Sonata also received more flower visits from Osmia bicornis females under field conditions, compared with Honeoye. Our results suggest that differences in the emission of flower volatile compounds among strawberry varieties mediate their attractiveness to females of Osmia bicornis. Since quality and quantity of marketable fruits depend on optimal pollination, a better understanding of the role of flower volatiles in crop production is required and should be considered more closely in crop-variety breeding.     

Relative Resistance of Four Peach Rootstocks to Phytophthora cactorum and Phytophthora megasperma

Shoot samples of four peach rootstocks that are important to the peach industry in Greece: KID I, GF305, GF677, and PR204, were inoculated with Phytophthora cactorum and Phytophthora megasperma in the field and in the glasshouse and were then evaluated with regard to susceptibility. The pathogenicity of P. cactorum and P. megasperma to peach rootstocks was confirmed with an excised twig assay. The peach rootstocks showed differential susceptibility to P. cactorum . GF305 was the least susceptible and KID I was the most susceptible, which suggests that the latter rootstock is unsuitable for orchards in which the conditions are favourable for Phytophthora diseases. GF677 and PR204 were moderately susceptible. The plants that were inoculated with P. megasperma in the field and in the glasshouse showed no sign of infection whereas twigs inoculated in vitro with P. megasperma developed necrosis. GF305 was the most resistant, KID I was the most susceptible and PR204 and GF677 were moderately resistant. The present results demonstrate that none of the four peach rootstocks used in this study was completely resistant to P. cactorum , particularly when rootstocks were flooded periodically to enhance disease development. Therefore an integrated approach including host and resistance cultural practices is recommended to manage diseases caused by P. cactorum in peach orchards in Greece.     

草莓对I-、IO3-的吸收特征及对其品质的影响

提高植物性食品中碘的含量对人体自然补碘具有重要作用。该文通过水培模拟实验, 揭示了草莓(Fragaria ananassa)对I^-和IO₃^-的吸收特征, 在分析不同外源碘浓度下草莓根系以上部分生物量的基础上, 通过对比吸收外源碘前后维生素C、可溶性糖、总酸度和硝酸盐含量的变化, 评价了草莓吸收I^-和IO₃^-对果实品质的影响。研究结果表明, 草莓对碘的吸收量随营养液中I^-和IO₃^-浓度的增加而增加, 相同浓度下草莓吸收的I^-明显多于IO₃^-, 草莓吸收适量的碘可以促进植株生长, 不仅使生物量提高, 而且会增加草莓果实维生素C和可溶性总糖的含量, 从而提高品质。在营养液浓度为0.5-5.0 mg∙kg^-1时, 草莓吸收IO₃^-后会增加果实总酸度和硝酸盐的含量, 降低草莓果实品质。在营养液浓度为0.25-2.5 mg∙kg^-1时, 草莓吸收I^-后会使果实中总酸度和硝酸盐的含量明显降低, 果实的品质有所提高。研究结果为科学培育含碘草莓提供了技术支撑。     

Fruit and Soil Quality of Organic and Conventional Strawberry Agroecosystems

Background

Sale of organic foods is one of the fastest growing market segments within the global food industry. People often buy organic food because they believe organic farms produce more nutritious and better tasting food from healthier soils. Here we tested if there are significant differences in fruit and soil quality from 13 pairs of commercial organic and conventional strawberry agroecosystems in California.

Methodology/Principal Findings

At multiple sampling times for two years, we evaluated three varieties of strawberries for mineral elements, shelf life, phytochemical composition, and organoleptic properties. We also analyzed traditional soil properties and soil DNA using microarray technology. We found that the organic farms had strawberries with longer shelf life, greater dry matter, and higher antioxidant activity and concentrations of ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds, but lower concentrations of phosphorus and potassium. In one variety, sensory panels judged organic strawberries to be sweeter and have better flavor, overall acceptance, and appearance than their conventional counterparts. We also found the organically farmed soils to have more total carbon and nitrogen, greater microbial biomass and activity, and higher concentrations of micronutrients. Organically farmed soils also exhibited greater numbers of endemic genes and greater functional gene abundance and diversity for several biogeochemical processes, such as nitrogen fixation and pesticide degradation.

Conclusions/Significance

Our findings show that the organic strawberry farms produced higher quality fruit and that their higher quality soils may have greater microbial functional capability and resilience to stress. These findings justify additional investigations aimed at detecting and quantifying such effects and their interactions.     

Decision-making tools for Frankliniella occidentalis management in strawberry: consideration of target markets

The western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), a cosmopolitan pest of many crops, is considered a major pest of low tunnel and greenhouse strawberries. The extent of damage to strawberry is unclear because different studies have produced contradictory results. Also, economic thresholds published for WFT in strawberry vary greatly, and most fail to incorporate economic factors. This study was aimed at developing a decision‐making tool for WFT management in strawberries in Israel. Toward this end, economic injury levels (EIL) and economic thresholds were calculated, based on target markets (export vs. domestic). Results indicate that serious infestation of ripe berries may cause a dull, rough appearance, and the fruit may be soft and have a reduced shelf life, rendering it unsuitable for export. Most fruit damage occurred at green and turning‐red stages of development. Two decision‐making tools were developed, one for winter, when WFT populations increase slowly but crop value is high (export market); and the second for spring, when the pest increases rapidly but crop value is low (local markets). Economic thresholds of 10 and 24 WFT/flower were calculated for winter and spring strawberries, respectively, based on direct thrips damage to fruit. This calculation does not take into account the recorded WFT damage to flowers, or its role in facilitating Botrytis cinerea fruit infection. Western flower thrips has proved only an occasional economic pest in Israeli strawberries, and no routine control measures are warranted. Furthermore, augmentative releases of Orius laevigatus or Neoseilus cucumeris against WFT are not justified in this system, because Orius colonizes strawberry fields spontaneously in high numbers when no broad spectrum insecticides are used.     

5种叶面肥对草莓光合特性及品质的影响

为探讨不同叶面肥对大棚草莓光合特性、果实品质及产量的影响,并筛选出适宜的叶面肥,以甘肃省兰州市西固区牟家台草莓温室大棚内栽植的草莓品种‘蒙特瑞’为试材,在施肥充足的情况下,在4个生育期追肥喷施经典750倍液（T1）、花仆1500倍液（T2)、润亮750倍液(T3)、艾德拉果500倍液（T4）及磷酸二氢钾1500倍液（T5）5种叶面肥,清水作为对照（CK）,测定了处理植株光合参数、果实品质、生物量及产量等指标。结果表明：（1）喷施不同叶面肥处理后草莓植株生物量、叶绿素含量显著增加,叶片的净光合速率和蒸腾速率显著上升,喷施叶面肥后的草莓植株胞间二氧化碳浓度均高于CK;（2）对果实品质而言,T2和T3处理能够显著改善草莓果形指数,T1和T5可以显著增大果实体积和重量。其中,T1的平均单果重较CK增加了5.89 g,T5的果实横径和纵径分别较CK增加了1.22 cm和1.15 cm。（3）实硬度、可溶性固形物含量、维生素C含量和还原糖含量有很明显的提高,并以T1施用效果最佳,较CK分别增加了3.3%、17.25 mg/g、2.71%。处理T1和T3可溶性蛋白含量分别较CK提高了0.097 mg/g和0.070 mg/g;（4）喷施叶面肥能够显著提高草莓单位面积产量,且以处理T1处理产量最高,较CK增长了13.65%。可见,施用适宜的叶面肥均能有效改善草莓营养生长状况,提升草莓果实品质,显著提高产量,并以经典750倍液叶面肥施用综合效果最佳。     

Arbuscular mycorrhizae formed by Penicillium pinophilum improve the growth, nutrient uptake and photosynthesis of strawberry with two inoculum-types

Penicillium pinophilum was isolated from the soil in a commercial strawberry field. The strain readily formed arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) with the roots of strawberry 'Zoji' (Fragaria x ananassa Duch. CV.) when plants were inoculated with either fresh cultured hyphae or root/soil mixtures. Fresh hyphae, however, resulted in higher amounts of colonization than root/soil inoculum. Compared with uninoculated strawberries, inoculation increased plant dry weight by 31%, as well as nitrogen content (47%), phosphorus content (57%), and photosynthetic rate (71%). AM inoculation also shortened the blossom and ripening date by 3 and 4 days, respectively. This is the first report of a P. pinophilum strain resulting in mycorrhiza with strawberry roots. The significant advantages of this strain are that it is easy to culture and inoculation of plants results in significant growth benefits that may be useful in strawberry production.     

Evaluation of cultural practices for potential to control strawberry sap beetle (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)

Strawberry sap beetle, Stelidota geminata (Say) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), adults and larvae feed on and contaminate marketable strawberry (Fragaria L.) fruit. The beetle is a serious pest in the northeastern United States, with growers in multiple states reporting closing fields for picking prematurely due to fruit damage. Three options were evaluated for potential to reduce strawberry sap beetle populations. First, the influence of plant structure on accessibility of fruit in different strawberry cultivars to strawberry sap beetle was assessed by modifying plant structure and exposing caged plants to strawberry sap beetle adults. Severity of damage to berries staked up off the ground was similar to damage to those fruit contacting the soil, showing that adults will damage fruit held off the ground. Second, baited traps were placed at three distances into strawberry fields to determine whether overwintered beetles enter strawberry fields gradually. Adult beetles were first caught in the strawberries approximately equal to 19 d after occurring in traps placed along edges of adjacent wooded areas. The beetles arrived during the same sampling interval in traps at all distances into the fields, indicating that a border spray is unlikely to adequately control strawberry sap beetle. Third, the number of strawberry sap beetle emerging from strawberry for 5 wk after tilling and narrowing of plant rows was compared in plots renovated immediately at the end of harvest and in plots where renovation was delayed by 1 wk. In the 2-yr study, year and not treatment was the primary factor affecting the total number of emerging strawberry sap beetle. Overall, limited potential exists to reduce strawberry sap beetle populations by choosing cultivars with a particular plant structure, applying insecticide as a border spray, or modifying time of field renovation.     

Identification of medicinal off-flavours generated by Alicyclobacillus species in orange juice using GC-olfactometry and GC-MS

AIMS: The objective of this study was to identify compounds responsible for medicinal off-flavours produced by different species and strains of Alicyclobacillus in orange juice using a combination of chromatographic-coupled olfactometric techniques and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). METHODS AND RESULTS: Each of five Alicyclobacillus strains was inoculated into separate juice samples and incubated up to 28 days at 45 degrees C. Aroma compounds in the juice were analysed by GC-olfactometry (GC-O) and confirmed using GC-MS. GC-O identified three components that were described as medicinal/antiseptic. Microbial populations were enumerated at timed intervals by spiral plating onto Alicyclobacillus agar. Within 28 days incubation, all five strains produced medicinal off-aromas from guaiacol and at least one halogenated phenol. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first study to evaluate individual juice aroma components produced by Alicyclobacillus species using olfactometry and to demonstrate that at least three medicinal off-flavour compounds are associated with the growth of alicyclobacilli in orange juice.     

Identification of the SAAT gene involved in strawberry flavor biogenesis by use of DNA microarrays

Fruit flavor is a result of a complex mixture of numerous compounds. The formation of these compounds is closely correlated with the metabolic changes occurring during fruit maturation. Here, we describe the use of DNA microarrays and appropriate statistical analyses to dissect a complex developmental process. In doing so, we have identified a novel strawberry alcohol acyltransferase (SAAT) gene that plays a crucial role in flavor biogenesis in ripening fruit. Volatile esters are quantitatively and qualitatively the most important compounds providing fruity odors. Biochemical evidence for involvement of the SAAT gene in formation of fruity esters is provided by characterizing the recombinant protein expressed in Escherichia coli. The SAAT enzyme showed maximum activity with aliphatic medium-chain alcohols, whose corresponding esters are major components of strawberry volatiles. The enzyme was capable of utilizing short- and medium-chain, branched, and aromatic acyl-CoA molecules as cosubstrates. The results suggest that the formation of volatile esters in fruit is subject to the availability of acyl-CoA molecules and alcohol substrates and is dictated by the temporal expression pattern of the SAAT gene(s) and substrate specificity of the SAAT enzyme(s).     

Triterpene phytoalexins from strawberry fruit

Strawberry cv. Houkouwase is resistant to infection by Colletotrichum fragariae. The formation of antifungal compounds was observed in unripe fruit which had been wounded and inoculated with conidia of C. musae. Three antifungal compounds were isolated and identified as euscaphic acid, tormentic acid and myrianthic acid. Myrianthic acid inhibited the growth of C. musae at 3 microg, and euscaphic and tormentic acids showed inhibitory effects at 100 microg. A quantitative analysis of their contents showed that the triterpenes increased in wounded fruit, and in wounded and inoculated fruit, but not in non-treated fruit. These findings indicate that unripe fruit of Houkouwase produced the triterpenes as phytoalexins. The triterpene phytoalexins seem to be involved in the resistance of strawberry to the fungus.     

Studies on the survival and infective ability of dicarboximide-resistant strains of Botrytis cinerea

Few dicarboximide-resistant strains of Botrytis cinerea produce macroconidia either on culture media or on natural substrates, although, the viability of such conidia was similar to those of sensitive strains. The ability of dicarboximide-resistant strains to infect strawberries was similar to that of sensitive strains and most of the resistant strains competed successfully with sensitive strains when inoculated in equal numbers onto detached strawberries and onto flowers of field-grown plants, especially after treatment with dicarboximide fungicides. All resistant strains tested survived for at least 9 months on inoculated strawberry leaf litter although their incidence was ‘diluted’ by wild type sensitive strains. Sporulation and dispersal of resistant strains from the litter was very limited resulting in a low incidence of fruit infection even after treatment with dicarboximides. Consequently, there was no significant increase of resistant strains in the plantation and control of infection was maintained with iprodione and dichlofluanid. Poor sporulation of dicarboximide-resistant strains of B. cinerea is considered to be the single most important factor in limiting their development in the field.