Exogenous Abscisic Acid Promotes Anthocyanin Biosynthesis and Increased Expression of Flavonoid Synthesis Genes in Vitis vinifera × Vitis labrusca Table Grapes in a Subtropical Region

Abstract

Hybrid (Vitis vinifera ×Vitis labrusca) table grape cultivars grown in the subtropics often fail to accumulate sufficient anthocyanins to achieve good uniform berry color. Growers of V. vinifera table grapes in temperate regions generally use ethephon and, more recently, (S)-cis-abscisic acid (S-ABA) to overcome this problem. The objective of this study was to determine if S-ABA applications at different timings and concentrations have an effect on anthocyanin regulatory and biosynthetic genes, pigment accumulation, and berry color of the Selection 21 cultivar, a new V. vinifera ×V. labrusca hybrid seedless grape that presents lack of red color when grown in subtropical areas. Applications of S-ABA 400 mg/L resulted in a higher accumulation of total anthocyanins and of the individual anthocyaninsanthocyanins: delphinidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, peonidin-3-glucoside, and malvidin-3-glucoside in the berry skin and improved the color attributes of the berries. Treatment with two applications at 7 days after véraison (DAV) and 21 DAV of S-ABA 400 mg/L resulted in a higher accumulation of total anthocyanins in the skin of berries and increased the gene expression of CHI, F3H, DFR, and UFGT and of the VvMYBA1 and VvMYBA2 transcription factors in the seedless grape cultivar.

The effect of a novel powerful ABA mimic on the improvement of color in grapes and its mechanism

“…However, in 'Xiahei' grapes, after ABA treatment, the content of delphinidin did not change significantly, and only the content of anthocyanin increased significantly. This indicated that ABA and iso-PhABA may affect the content of different kinds of anthocyanin monomers in different grape cultivars, which was consistent with previous findings [32,33].…”

Transcriptional regulation of abscisic acid biosynthesis and signal transduction, and anthocyanin biosynthesis in ‘Bluecrop’ highbush blueberry fruit during ripening

“…The up-regulations of TDR and eight genes ( CHS , F3H , F3′H , F3′5′H , DFR , ANS , UFGT , and OMT ) (Fig 7) might contribute to the anthocyanin accumulation (Table 2) and the associated fruit skin coloration (Fig 2 and Table 1). In ABA-treated grape [61], strawberry [12], and blueberry fruits [8], however, the levels of anthocyanin accumulation and its associated gene expression were dependent on the concentration, timing, and duration of the ABA application. Despite these differences, the transcription factors and genes were similarly expressed in those fruits during ripening [8, 12, 61, 62].…”

“…In ABA-treated grape [61], strawberry [12], and blueberry fruits [8], however, the levels of anthocyanin accumulation and its associated gene expression were dependent on the concentration, timing, and duration of the ABA application. Despite these differences, the transcription factors and genes were similarly expressed in those fruits during ripening [8, 12, 61, 62]. More detailed information on ABA effects under various environmental and experimental conditions is needed to understand the ripening process of naturally grown fruits and to explore the possible implementation of ABA application in agricultural fields.…”

Preharvest application of prohydrojasmon affects color development, phenolic metabolism, and pigment‐related gene expression in red pear (Pyrus ussuriensis)

“…Treatment with abscisic acid resulted in higher accumulation of anthocyanins in the skin of grapes and increased the expression of CHI, F3H, DFR, and UFGT biosynthetic enzymes and MYBA1 and MYBA2 transcription factors. 43 JAs have been found to affect color formation in pears and blueberries, possibly by increasing anthocyanin biosynthesis. 20,28 Interestingly, the application of indole-3-acetic acid has been found to inhibit MeJA-induced anthocyanin accumulation in red raspberries by suppressing the expression of MYB10 and ANS.…”