Fruit Set and Growth in Strawberry, Fragaria x ananassa Duch.

The application of GA₃in aqueous solution to leaves or flowersof hermaphrodite cultivars of strawberry, Redgauntlet and Rabunda,prevented growth of the receptacle despite hand pollination.This inhibitory effect occurred only when GA₃ was applied priorto anthesis. Although viable pollen was produced and germinatedto grow down the styles of treated plants, no seeds were formed.Receptacle growth failed underneath the unfertilized carpels,but the basal region devoid of carpels enlarged and ripened.The effect of GA₃ was the same in vivo and for flowers grownin vitro. ABA and BAP also inhibited growth of pollinated flowersin vitro, but neither substance stimulated growth of the baseof the receptacle. 2-NOA stimulated receptacle growth of pollinatedflowers but did not overcome the inhibitory effect of GA₃. Removal of fertile carpels 9 days after pollination preventedfurther receptacle growth. GA₃ treatment of the bare receptaclere-started growth but was less effective than 2-NOA. No growth substance treatment induced parthenocarpic developmentin these cultivars when unopened buds were emasculated and culturedwithout pollination, although GA₃ induced some swelling of thereceptacle base. Fragaria x ananassa Duch., strawberry fruit set, fruit growth, growth regulators     

Multi-substrate flavonol O-glucosyltransferases from strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) achene and receptacle

In an effort to characterize fruit ripening-related genes functionally, two glucosyltransferases, FaGT6 and FaGT7, were cloned from a strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) cDNA library and the full-length open reading frames were amplified by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. FaGT6 and FaGT7 were expressed heterologously as fusion proteins in Escherichia coli and target protein was purified using affinity chromatography. Both recombinant enzymes exhibited a broad substrate tolerance in vitro, accepting numerous flavonoids, hydroxycoumarins, and naphthols. FaGT6 formed 3-O-glucosides and minor amounts of 7-O-, 4'-O-, and 3'-O-monoglucosides and one diglucoside from flavonols such as quercetin. FaGT7 converted quercetin to the 3-O-glucoside and 4'-O-glucoside and minor levels of the 7- and 3'-isomers but formed no diglucoside. Gene expression studies showed that both genes are strongly expressed in achenes of small-sized green fruits, while the expression levels were generally lower in the receptacle. Significant levels of quercetin 3-O-, 7-O-, and 4'-O-glucosides, kaempferol 3-O- and 7-O-glucosides, as well as isorhamnetin 7-O-glucoside, were identified in achenes and the receptacle. In the receptacle, the expression of both genes is negatively controlled by auxin which correlates with the ripening-related gene expression in this tissue. Salicylic acid, a known signal molecule in plant defence, induces the expression of both genes. Thus, it appears that FaGT6 and FaGT7 are involved in the glucosylation of flavonols and may also participate in xenobiotic metabolism. The latter function is supported by the proven ability of strawberries to glucosylate selected unnatural substrates injected in ripe fruits. This report presents the first biochemical characterization of enzymes mainly expressed in strawberry achenes and provides the foundation of flavonoid metabolism in the seeds.     

The Control of Runner Development in the Strawberry Fragaria ananassa Duch

Factors controlling runnering of strawberry plants were studiedunder controlled and semi-controlled environments. Increasinglylong exposures to conditions favourable for runnering causeda subsequent increase in number of runners, their total length,number of daughters, and of dry matter produced by mother plants.Leaf and crown numbers of the mother plant showed no such parallelincrease. Temperature supplement to foliage, combined with alight interruption in the dark period, produced the greatestvegetative effect-except again on leaf number-when comparedto either factor individually, normal day extension for threehours by itself or combined with temperature supplement. Itwas suggested that the promotive effects of temperature andphotoperiod on runnering were due to increased activation ofvegetative buds on the rosette crown. Upon comparing constantand diurnally fluctuating temperatures under a constant longphoto-period in the phytotron it was found that, while all othermeasured vegetative criteria were closely similar, the totalrunner length produced by plants under fluctuating temperatureswas almost double that of those under constant temperatures.A temperature gradient from root to shoot stimulated vegetativegrowth in comparison to a gradient in the opposite directionand to lack of such gradient, irrespective of whether the temperaturecommon to both root and shoot was high or low. This was interpretedas resulting from either different temperature requirementsfor aerial and subterranean organs or from the occurrence oftranslocation gradients of substances which promote vegetativedevelopment of the shoots, e.g. kinins and gibberellin-likesubstances. The time interval between rooting of daughter plants and onsetof runnering was increased the later the rooting occurred, possiblydue to the advancing seasonal decline in conditions favourablefor vegetative development. The positional influence of theorder of the daughter along the runner chain, which was markedin flowering, was not found.     

Quantification of Flavonoid Compounds from Strawberry ( Fragaria ananassa) and Correlation Effects with Antioxidant Activities

The amounts of flavonoid (myricetin , quercetin and kaempferol), antioxidant contents ( total phenolic and total flavonoid) and antioxidant activities (DPPH and FRAP) were analyzed in strawberry. Quantitative analysis of conjugated flavonoid contents were obtained after different hydrolysis concentration and reaction period . The highest yields of myricetin and quercetin were found with 1.0M HCl and a reaction period of 0.5 hr, however , for kaempferol was 1.0M HCl and a reaction period of 1hr , respectively. In the study, we also estimated the correlation coefficient of TPC, TFC, DPPH and FRAP. In addition , a positive correlation was observed ( r = 0.980, P < 0.05) between TPC and TFC, TPC and TFC are correlated to the DPPH activity (r = 0.913, P < 0.05 and r = 0.899 , P < 0.05 , respectively) , and to the FRAP activity ( r = 0.958, P < 0.05 and r = 0.936, P < 0.05, respectively), respectively. These results pointed out that strawberry generally possesses a high level of antioxidant activities, which could be linked to the levels of phenolic compounds in the fruit.     

草莓中黄酮类物质的测定以及与抗氧化活性之间的相互关系

报道草莓中黄酮类物质含量的测定方法,并比较了总抗氧化成分与抗氧化活性(DPPH,FRAP)之间的相互关系.黄酮类物质的水解随着HCl浓度和水解时间的不同发生较大的差异,结果表明,总多酚类物质和总黄酮类物质之间有很高的相关关系,总多酚类物质和总黄酮类物质对DPPH有很高的相关关系,而且总多酚类物质和总黄酮类物质对FRAP的相关关系各为r=0.958, P ＜0.05和r=0.936, P ＜0.05,从结果可以推测:草莓体现出很强的抗氧化活性,这与草莓中的总多酚类物质成分密不可分.     

福建漳州设施栽培草莓品种引种筛选

在福建漳州引进6个草莓品种进行设施栽培,通过对比分析,筛选出2个适宜该地区设施栽培的品种——‘法兰地’和‘红宝’。‘法兰地’具早熟的特点;‘红宝’产量高,达25561.8 kg·hm-2;两者适应性强,口感好,受欢迎度高,适合漳州地区发展设施栽培与观光采摘。     

In vitro selection in resistance breeding of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa duch.)

Genetic resistance to pathogenetic soil-borne fungus Verticillium dahliae Kleb. was examined in two strawberry somaclones. Strawberry somaclones were obtained in sterile culture from runner tips of cultivars 'Merton Dawn' and 'Selva'. In vitro selection was performed with the use of homogenate of liquid cultures of Verticillium dahliae. Microplants of both somaclones were inoculated at stage of 4. Leaves. Disease symptoms were observed at 15., 30., 45., 60. and 75. days post inoculation. Extent of leaf chlorosis was rated on a scale of 0-4. Under the controlled in vitro culture conditions a different response to infection by this pathogenic fungus was observed. After 75. days post inoculation the contribution of necrotic plants in somaclone of 'Merton Dawn' reached the value of 76%, whereas in somaclone of 'Selva' this value reached 86%. In control somaclones of 'Merton Dawn' and 'Selva' the contribution of necrotic plants after 75. days post mock-inoculation with sterile distilled water reached the considerably lower value of 13%. These results revealed that somaclone of 'Merton Dawn' was more genetically resistant to infection by V. dahliae than somaclone of 'Selva'. The observed response to in vitro infection caused by Verticillium dahliae in examined somaclones was similar in comparison with original cultivars. Furthermore, somaclonal variation induced in tissue cultured strawberry was sufficient to select variants that showed enhanced genetic resistance to Verticillium wilt caused by V. dahliae. In vitro selection can be efficiently used as an alternative program to conventional resistance breeding in strawberry.     

Introgression and confirmation of everbearing trait in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.)

The present investigation was targeted towards a highly desirable everbearing trait in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) via marker assisted selection while seeing its worldwide commercial applicability through the extended harvest season. The crosses were made between everbearing and june-bearing cultivars to raise the F₁ individuals. Morphological characters (plant, floral, and fruit) were assessed that showed significant differences among the strawberry cultivars. Molecular characterization was carried out between everbearing and non-everbearing cultivars using RAPD and SSR markers. For phenotyping, a chi-square test was performed and revealed that out of all four cross combinations, the best fitted cross found to be in Mendelian segregation ratio (1:1) was ‘Confectura’ × ‘Torrey’ with χ²-value 1.58. Further, the identified polymorphic markers were assessed across the F₁ individuals of cross ‘Confectura’ × ‘Torrey’ for its genotyping. It could be revealed that the targeted everbearing trait is governed by a dominant gene(s) in the subjected strawberry genotypes. Further, the identified polymorphic markers would be successfully employed in DNA fingerprinting of strawberry under various crop improvement programme.Supplementary informationThe online version of this article (10.1007/s12298-020-00916-w) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Enhancement of flavour biosynthesis from strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) callus cultures by Methylobacterium species

Two important character-impact compounds of strawberry flavour, the furanones 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-2H-furan-3-one (DMHF) and 2,5-dimethyl-4-methoxy-2H-furan-3-one (mesifuran) were synthesized by strawberry tissue cultures derived from a cultivated species (Fragaria × ananassa, cv. Elsanta) after these were treated with Methylobacterium extorquens. These flavour compounds were analysed by HPLC-UV and their levels were compared in the treated and control tissues. In Methylobacterium extorquens treated callus cultures DMHF and mesifuran levels were 5.9 and 11.4 μg/g of fresh weight of callus respectively, compared to zero in the untreated ones. When Methylobacterium extorquens was fed with 1,2-propanediol, 2-hydroxy-propanal (lactaldehyde) was formed. This bacterial oxidation of 1,2-propanediol to lactaldehyde linked with the presence of 1,2-propanediol in strawberry suggests that the increased levels of the two furanones in the treated strawberry cultures is the result of Methylobacterium extorquens oxidative activity on 1,2-propanediol and the bioconversion by the plant cells of this oxidation product, lactaldehyde to DMHF and mesifuran. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Phenolic Content Pattern, Polyphenol Oxidase and Lipoxygenase Activity in Relation to Albinism, Fruit Malformation and Nubbins Production in Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch)

Total phenol content, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and lipoxygenase (LOX) activity were determined in strawberry fruits to establish a relationship between phenolic content, PPO and LOX activity with the production of abnormal fruits in 10 different strawberry cultivars. The study revealed that all strawberry cultivars produced abnormal fruits in varying proportion. Highest percentage of abnormal fruits was produced by Etna (21.8%), and the lowest by Senga Sengana (3.7%). Among cultivars, Etna produced maximum percentage of albino (25.8%), malformed (22.7%) or nubbin (button) berries (16.9%), while the lowest percentage of albino (5.2%), and malformed fruits (2.5%) were produced by Senga Sengana, and nubbin (button) (2.9%) by Camarosa. Total phenol content and PPO and LOX activity varied widely among different strawberry cultivars. The highest phenol content was recorded in Senga Sengana (14.4 mg g^?1, fresh tissue weight) and the minimum in Etna (3.1 mg g^?1 fresh tissue weight). Likewise, Etna exhibited the minimum PPO activity (0.503 ΔA₄₀₀ g^?1 min^?1) and Senga Sengana, the maximum (0.732 ΔA₄₀₀ g^?1 min^?1). Similarly, normal fruits exhibited higher PPO activity (0.753 ΔA₄₀₀ g^?1 min^?1) than abnormal fruits. The highest LOX activity was exhibited by Senga Sengana (0.462 μ katal kg^?1) and the lowest by Etna (0.338 μ katal kg^?1) Similarly, LOX activity was very high in normal fruits (0.568 μ katal kg^?1) in comparison to abnormal ones. The regression equations developed between total phenol content, PPO and LOX activity with abnormal fruits revealed that an inverse relationship existed between total phenol content, PPO and LOX activity and production of abnormal fruits in strawberry.     

草莓果实MADS-box基因保守片段的克隆与序列分析

根据多种植物MADS-box基因保守区序列设计简并引物,应用PCR技术从草莓绿果中分高出33条MADS-box基因cDNA片段.序列分析表明,这些片段长度在137 - 146 bp之间,包含基因起始密码子.推导的氨基酸序列与已登录的草莓的MADS-box基因同源性超过87％.推导的氨基酸序列与已知的革莓和其他物种调控果实发育成熟的MADs-box基因以及拟南芥的MADS-box家族基因进行系统发育分析,可将这些基因片段分科归入拟南芥MADS-box基因不同亚家族中,证明草莓果实中存在各类MADS-box家族基因,克隆的部分片段可能参与调控果实发育和成熟软化的调节.     

A fruit-specific and developmentally regulated endopolygalacturonase gene from strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa cv. Chandler)

A fruit-specific and developmentally regulated polygalacturonase gene (spG gene) from strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa cv. Chandler) has been cloned and characterized at a molecular and physiological level. Comparison analysis of the corresponding deduced sPG protein have shown that this strawberry gene is similar to Clade A endopolygalacturonase genes. Moreover, the spatio-temporal and hormonal gene expression pattern suggests a close relationship between the expression of this gene and the onset of the strawberry fruit ripening process and agrees with that of the production of oligosaccharins which have already been described as active molecules involved in fruit ripening. The results are discussed in terms of a putative role of this enzyme in the release of oligosaccharins from the strawberry fruit cell wall.     

Metabolic profiling of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) during fruit development and maturation

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch), a fruit of economic and nutritional importance, is also a model species for fleshy fruits and genomics in Rosaceae. Strawberry fruit quality at different harvest stages is a function of the fruit's metabolite content, which results from physiological changes during fruit growth and ripening. In order to investigate strawberry fruit development, untargeted (GC-MS) and targeted (HPLC) metabolic profiling analyses were conducted. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were employed to explore the non-polar and polar metabolite profiles from fruit samples at seven developmental stages. Different cluster patterns and a broad range of metabolites that exerted influence on cluster formation of metabolite profiles were observed. Significant changes in metabolite levels were found in both fruits turning red and fruits over-ripening in comparison with red-ripening fruits. The levels of free amino acids decreased gradually before the red-ripening stage, but increased significantly in the over-ripening stage. Metabolite correlation and network analysis revealed the interdependencies of individual metabolites and metabolic pathways. Activities of several metabolic pathways, including ester biosynthesis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the shikimate pathway, and amino acid metabolism, shifted during fruit growth and ripening. These results not only confirmed published metabolic data but also revealed new insights into strawberry fruit composition and metabolite changes, thus demonstrating the value of metabolomics as a functional genomics tool in characterizing the mechanism of fruit quality formation, a key developmental stage in most economically important fruit crops.     

A morphological study of flower initiation and development in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) using cryo-scanning electron microscopy

The morphological changes in the apex of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) cv. Elsanta during flower initiation and early development were studied by means of apical dissections and cryo-scanning electron microscopy. Characteristic stages of development were recorded from the earliest discernible evidence of floral initiation until anthesis. The results are discussed in relation to previous studies of floral development in strawberry.     

Transient gene expression in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) protoplasts and the recovery of transgenic plants

Summary A transient ß-glucuronidase (GUS)-assay was performed to evaluate electroporation parameters and optimize DNA delivery conditions into strawberry protoplasts. Optimal GUS-activity was obtained when protoplasts were subjected to 400 V/cm for 20 ms. GUS-activity could be further increased by the addition of carrier DNA to the electroporation mixture. Callus selected on 10 g/ml hygromycin produced shoots which exhibited GUS-activity. The transformed nature of the shoots obtained after selection was confirmed by DNA-analysis.Abbreviations CaMV cauliflower mosaic virus - dCTP deoxycytidine-triphosphate - EtBr ethidium bromide - GUS ß-glucuronidase - MES 2(N-morpholino) -ethanesulfonic acid - X-gluc 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl glucuronide     

High anthocyanin accumulation in the dark by strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) callus

Fragaria ananassa (strawberry) callus, which produced high amounts of anthocyanin in the dark, was isolated from a cell line not producing anthocyanin. The isolated callus (FAR) was homogeneous and more than 90% of the cells were pigmented. The FAR callus accumulated more than 1000 g of anthocyanin per g fresh cell in the dark. Four different basal solid media were examined to maintain FAR callus: Though growth rate and anthocyanin concentration were different on each media, total anthocyanin production was about the same at 400 g anthocyanin/0.1 g fresh cell wt after 22 days. This FAR cell line could therefore be used for the industrial production of anthocyanin.