Productivity of apple variety Majesti in the foothill zone of Dagestan

The article presents the results of studying the productivity of the parameters of the introduced apple variety Majesti on the clonal rootstock M9 in the agro-ecological conditions of the southeastern foothill sub-province of Dagestan. The purpose of the research is to identify the biological potential of the variety, the adaptive potential for the construction of intensive-type orchards in the industrial horticulture zone. It is especially important to choose the optimal variety-rootstock combinations of apple trees, which should be distinguished by early maturity, annual productivity, high commercial quality of fruits and environmental sustainability. The southeastern foothill sub-province has great prospects for the development of industrial horticulture. Of the unfavorable environmental factors that negatively affect the vital activity of fruit crops, the most often noted are return colds in spring and early frosts in autumn, when fruit plants are still growing. In accordance with the research program of the Federal Agrarian Scientific Center of the Republic of Dagestan, it is envisaged to study the influence of different rootstocks (M9, SK-2, SK-7, MM106) on the productivity of the Majesti variety. Based on the research results, biometric indicators of the growth and productivity of trees in a young garden were determined, depending on the type of planting design. It was noted that at the age of three, the condition of trees on a 5-point scale is good. The height of the trees, depending on the rootstock, reached an average of 2.3 to 2.9 m. On dwarf rootstocks M9, the stem diameter of the Majesti variety was 4.2 cm, of the control variety Renet Simirenko — 3.5. The growth of annual shoots clearly reflects the growth activity of trees with different varieties of rootstock combinations. It has been established that the growth of dwarf rootstocks provides a weakening effect and allows growing lowgrowing trees with a compact crown, a strong stem, that are convenient for earning and harvesting. The largest number of fruit formations was noted in the introduced cultivar Majesti with a 3.0x1.5 planting pattern on a dwarf stock M9 (67 pieces) then in comparison on the control variety Renet Simirenko it was46 pieces. Productivity per tree was 7.1 kg, in the control variety Renet Simirenko — 5.3 kg. Calculated per hectare, productivity of the Majesti variety is 15.7 tons, Renet Simirenko — 11.7 tons.

Pistil Biology of ‘WA 38’ Apple and Effect of Pollen Source on Pollen Tube Growth and Fruit Set

‘WA 38’ (‘Enterprise’ × ‘Honeycrisp’) is an apple variety that is characterized by a peculiar self-thinning trait in which most of the fruitlets naturally shed within the first 8 weeks after bloom, leaving some clusters empty, but most with 1–2 apples. This study aimed to investigate potential causes for the relatively low fruit set observed in ‘WA 38’ by investigating its flower biology. This study comprised three objectives: (1) To characterize the effective pollination period (EPP) of ‘WA 38’ by studying stigmatic receptivity, pollen tube growth, and ovule longevity in ‘WA 38’ flowers, (2) to compare the pollen tube growth of 5 fully compatible pollinizer varieties in ‘WA 38’ pistils, and (3) to evaluate fruit and seed set resulting from controlled pollinations with 5 fully compatible pollinizer varieties. The results showed ‘WA 38’ EPP was approximately 3.2 days in 2019 and 1.4 days in 2020, and that differences in pollen sources did not attribute significant differences in fertility in ‘WA 38’ flowers. The results of this study suggest mechanisms other than pollination and fertilization, such as competition among fruitlets within a cluster or hormone signaling, may have a stronger impact on ‘WA 38’ fruitlet abscission.

Productivity potential of the Melba apple variety on rootstocks of different growth strengths

The article presents the results of a five-year study of the yield of the Melba apple variety on dwarf, semi-dwarf and medium-sized rootstocks selected by the North Caucasus Federal Scientific Center for Horticulture, Viticulture, and Winemaking (SKFNCSVV). The aim of the research is to study the influence of rootstocks of different growth strengths on the productivity potential of the Melba apple variety in the natural and climatic conditions of the Astrakhan region. The research revealed the influence of the rootstock genotype on the main productivity indicators: perishability, yield, frequency of fruiting, stability of productivity, marketable qualities of fruits. The early fruitfulness of the variety was most affected by the dwarf subspecies SK 3, SK 7 and semi-dwarf SK 2, on which 60–100% of the trees bloomed in the first year of growth in the garden. Among the studied combinations, the highest rates of crop growth in the Melba variety were noted on the dwarf rootstock SK 3 and semi-dwarf SK 2, in combination with which the variety was characterized by maximum values of average (19.4–16.3 t/ha) and total yield (97.2–81.6 t/ha), with the values of these indicators on the control variants 16.0–10.6 t/ha and 80.2–53.1 t/ha respectively. Low indicators of the periodicity index were noted on the dwarf rootstock SK 3 (15.6) and semi-dwarf rootstock: control M 26 (23.0), SK 2 (20.0), SK 5 (27.5), high index of productivity stability (0.75–0.86) – on rootstocks SK 3, SK 2 and SK 5. In the arid conditions of the Astrakhan region, the zoned variety Melba is recommended to be grown in an intensive garden on rootstocks SK 3 and SK 2, which ensure regular and stable yields.

Therapeutic Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extracts from the Ancient Apple Mela Rosa dei Monti Sibillini in Transient Global Ischemia in Rats

The Mela Rosa dei Monti Sibillini is an ancient apple variety cultivated by Romans in the foothills of the Sibillini Mountains, central Italy, showing potential as a source of nutraceuticals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of the hydroalcoholic extracts from the peel (APE) and pulp (APP) of this fruit in an animal model of transient global ischemia. Chemical constituents were analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-MSn) indicating several polyphenols such as B-type procyanidins, quercetin derivatives and hydroxycinnamic acids as the main bioactive components. Acute pre-treatment of extracts (30 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly decreased the brain levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β (p < 0.01) and TNF-α (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01 for APE and APP, respectively), the expression of caspase-3 (p < 0.01, For APE) and MDA (p < 0.05), a lipid peroxidation biomarker in rats. Both extracts restricted the pathological changes of the brain induced by ischemic stroke in hematoxylin and eosin assay. Moreover, they improved the scores of behavioral tests in grid-walking and modified neurological severity scores (mNSS) tests. In conclusion, these results proved this ancient Italian apple is a source of nutraceuticals able to protect/prevent damage from brain ischemia.

BREEDING FRUIT CROPS IN THE TATAR RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE

The purpose of the research was to analyze the work on the creation of new varieties of apple, cherry and plum, carried out from 1938 to 2020 in the Tatar Research Institute of Agriculture, as well as the identification of promising crossbreeding combinations and genotypes for use in breeding and transfer to the State variety testing. In the apple breeding orchard, promising seedlings in hybrid families were identified by productivity, taste and size of fruits: Anis Novy×Plodovitoe (1-6-48), Anis Novy×Vityaz(1-7-26, 1-7-27, 1-7-57,1-7-70, 1-7-97), Anis Novy×Ural Souvenir (1-8-88) . In 2021, 4 apple varieties were entered into the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation: Renet Tatarsky, Volzhskaya Krasavitsa, Tenkovskaya and Kamskaya. The apple variety Renet Povolzh’ya is undergoing state variety testing. Promising hybrids 1-1-11, 1-2-11, 1-2-14, 1-10-30, 1-11-6, 1-11-31, 2-2-75,2-2-93 have been selected in sour cherry breeding orchards. In 2015, a new self-fertile variety of Shelangovskaya sour cherry was accepted for State variety testing in the Middle Volga and Volga-Vyatka regions. In 2021, 8 varieties of sour cherries were included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation: Krasa Tataria, Zarya Tataria, Shakirovskaya, Truzhenitsa Tataria, Sevastyanovskaya, Tveritinovskaya, Pamyat Sakharova and Obilnaya. In the plum breeding orchard promising hybrid seedlings 1-1-11, 1-1-20, 1-1-47, 1-1-75, 1-1-84, 1-2-36, 1-2-49, 1-2-57, 1-2-60, 1-3-19, 1-3-58, 1-3-86, 1-8-43 and others were selected according to important economic and biological characteristics. In 2021, the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation, admitted for use, included 8 varieties of home-breeding plums of the Tatar Research Institute of Agriculture: 2 varieties of early ripening — Sverkh Rannya, Sineokaya; 6 varieties of medium ripening — Rakitovaya, Renklod Tenkovskiy, Volzhanka, Tenkovskaya Golubka, Kazanskaya and Pamyat Khasanova.

Persistence of Listeria innocua on Fresh Apples During Long-Term Controlled Atmosphere Cold Storage with Postharvest Fungal Decay

Recent apple-related recall and outbreak events have exposed a need for better food safety controls along the supply chain. Following harvest apples can be stored under a controlled atmosphere for up to one year after harvest before packing and distribution, making the crop susceptible to many opportunities for contamination that increase the quantity of postharvest losses. Botrytis cinerea (BC) and Penicillium expansum (PE) cause significant rot-associated losses to the apple industry. These fungi can colonize and destroy apple tissue as storage duration increases, which may also impact the growth of saprophytic foodborne pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes . Thus the objective of this study was to observe population changes of Listeria innocua (LI) as a surrogate for L. monocytogenes on apples inoculated with BC or PE under long-term controlled atmosphere cold storage conditions to identify the effect of postharvest mold growth on growth patterns of a food safety-relevant microorganism. ‘Gala’ and ‘WA 38’ apples (n = 1,080) were harvested, treated with pyrimethanil, and inoculated with LI only, or LI and one of the mold species on wounded and unwounded portions of the apple equator. Apples were treated with 1-methylcyclopropene and stored at a controlled atmosphere (2kPa O 2 , 1kPa CO 2 , 1°C) for 1 week and 1, 3, 6, 9 and 11 months before enumeration. After three months LI consistently fell below the limit of detection (2.35 log CFU/g) and samples were enriched following a modified BAM method with PCR confirmation. Listeria persistence was dependent on the storage duration and type of fungal contamination ( p &lt; 0.05). Surface wounding may impact these trends, depending on the apple variety. Prevalence of LI was greater in ‘Gala’ apples. Future studies should more closely examine the interactions on the fruit surface that occur during the seemingly critical timeframe of three-to-six months in storage.

The Impact of Apple Variety and the Production Methods on the Antibacterial Activity of Vinegar Samples

Apple vinegar is a natural product widely used in food and traditional medicine as it contains many bioactive compounds. The apple variety and production methods are two factors that play a major role in determining the quality of vinegar. Therefore, this study aims to determine the quality of apple vinegar samples from different varieties (Red Delicious, Gala, Golden Delicious, and Starking Delicious) prepared by three methods using small apple pieces, apple juice, and crushed apple, through determining the physicochemical properties and antibacterial activity of these samples. The antibacterial activity was studied against five pathogenic bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli (ATB: 57), Escherichia coli (ATB: 97), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, using two methods, disk diffusion and microdilution, for determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations and the minimum bactericidal concentrations. The results of this study showed that the lowest pH value was 3.6 for Stark Delicious, obtained by liquid fermentation, and the highest acetic acid values were 4.7 and 4% for the vinegar of Red Delicious and Golden Delicious, prepared by solid fermentation, respectively. The results of the antibacterial activity showed considerable activity of apple vinegar on the tested strains. Generally, the Staphylococcus aureus strain appears less sensitive and Pseudomonas aeruginosa seems to be very sensitive against all samples, while the other strains have distinct sensitivities depending on the variety studied and the method used. A higher antibacterial activity was found in vinegar obtained by the apple pieces method and the Red Delicious variety, with a low MIC and MBC recorded, at 1.95 and 3.90 µL/mL, respectively. This study has shown that the choice of both apple variety and production method is therefore an essential step in determining and aiming for the desired quality of apple vinegar.

Evaluation of Priokskoe columnar apple variety from All-Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding

The use of adaptive, scab-immune, stable-fruiting columnar apple tree varieties of domestic selection enhances profitability of commercial horticulture for a higher competitive power of national agricultural market. The diversity of columnar varieties remains little, yet offering a promising line of selection given a rising interest in this form of apple tree. The research aimed to comprehensively assess the economic and biological potential of the Priokskoe columnar variety to produce recommendations on its introduction in home and industrial gardening. A number of promising selected and elite genotypes, as well as five cultivars (Priokskoe, Poeziya, Vostorg, Orlovskaya Yeseniya, Girlyanda) have been identified from the extensive hybrid fund of columnar apple trees established at the All-Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding for over 40 years. Priokskoe was the Institute’s first early-fruiting columnar variety starting at the third year post-inoculation on low-medium vigour rootstock. Average yield at planting density 14,000 plants/ha on dwarf stock 62-396 makes 49.1 t/ha and 78.3 t/ha — in the crown of skeleton-forming stock 3-17-38 at planting density 3,333 plants/ha. Priokskoe is a strong-vigour category among columnar varieties. A 7-year tree height on dwarf rootstock 62-396 was 217.3 cm, a crowned tree height on stem stock 3-4-98 — 281.7 cm. The variety’s winter hardiness is sufficient for its cultivation in the Middle Chernozem zone at no risk of irreversible winter loss. The Rvi6 gene-conditioned scab immunity enables improvement of the orchard phytosanitary situation via reduced chemical burden. The adaptability, economic and biological traits of the Priokskoe columnar variety ensure it a worthy rating among the current apple tree assortment recommended for intensive industrial horticulture.

Metabolome and transcriptome profiling provide insights into green apple peel reveals light- and UV-B-responsive pathway in anthocyanins accumulation

Background In nature, green apple are associated with the accumulation of chlorophyll, while red apple varieties are associated with anthocyanins accumulation. Notably, in this study, the green skin color apple variety ‘white winter pearmain’ treated with ultraviolet-B (UV-B) exhibited red skins and marked anthocyanin accumulation, while visible light could not. But there are few reports on the biosynthesis difference of anthocyanins in green apple by visible light and UV-B-treatment. Here, we explored the difference of metabolites and genes expression level in green apple by transcriptomic and metabolic. Results The metabolic analysis revealed that there were 152 and 178 significantly changed metabolites in the visible light and UV-B-treated green apple, respectively, compared to the control, and flavone, flavonol, and anthocyanin were the most significantly increased; and transcriptomic analysis showed that 37,110 and 37,709 differentially expressed genes, including 382 and 475 transcription factors (TFs) were detected in light and UV-B-treatment fruit, respectively. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) results confirmed changes in the expression levels of genes encoding metabolites involved in the flavonoid synthesis pathways. The flavonoid metabolic flux in the UV-B treatment increased the accumulation of cyanidin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3, 5-diglucoside compared to under the light-treatment. Furthermore, we performed qRT-PCR analysis of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes and predicted the gene of MD00G1134400 (a UDP glucose-flavonoid 3–0-glucosyltransferase) may be a candidate gene for anthocyanins accumulation and highly expressed in UV-B-treatment fruit. Expression profiles of several transcription factors of the families MYB, bHLH, NAC were highly correlated with the content of the anthocyanin. Conclusions The composition and contents of anthocyanins in green apple in UV-B-treatment very greatly. A series of metabolites and candidate genes were revealed through combined analysis of metabolome and transcriptome. These results provide an important data for dissecting candidate genes and molecular basis governing green apple color formation in response to visible light and UV-B light.

Analytical Methods for Extraction and Identification of Primary and Secondary Metabolites of Apple (Malus domestica) Fruits: A Review

Apples represent a greater proportion of the worldwide fruit supply, due to their availability on the market and to the high number of existing cultivar varieties and apple-based products (fresh fruit, fruit juice, cider and crushed apples). Several studies on apple fruit metabolites are available, with most of them focusing on their healthy properties’ evaluation. In general, the metabolic profile of apple fruits strongly correlates with most of their peculiar characteristics, such as taste, flavor and color. At the same time, many bioactive molecules could be identified as markers of a specific apple variety. Therefore, a complete description of the analytical protocols commonly used for apple metabolites’ characterization and quantification could be useful for researchers involved in the identification of new phytochemical compounds from different apple varieties. This review describes the analytical methods published in the last ten years, in order to analyze the most important primary and secondary metabolites of Malus domestica fruits. In detail, this review gives an account of the spectrophotometric, chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods. A discussion on the quantitative and qualitative analytical shortcomings for the identification of sugars, fatty acids, polyphenols, organic acids, carotenoids and terpenes found in apple fruits is reported.