Size does matter – susceptibility of apple for grey mould is affected by cell size

Abstract

Apple is a seasonal product that is stored for long periods of time, during which fungal‐caused decay can occur. Previous infection experiments of intact Jonagored apple with Botrytis cinerea displayed apparent differences in lesion expansion rate with respect to inoculation position on the fruit (on, above or below the equator). The goal of this study was to investigate whether these differences are consistent or not and if so, to relate them to fruit characteristics. The study involved measuring the hue angle of the intended inoculation spots prior to inoculation, and firmness and total soluble solids content of fruit from the same batch. Results showed that firmness correlated somewhat (−0.55 and −0.72 for shadow and sun side, respectively) with lesion diameter expansion rate. In a subsequent step, X‐ray imaging was carried out for samples from each position. Analysis of 3D reconstructions by microcomputed tomography of these diffraction images showed that cell size was strongly correlated (0.996) to lesion diameter expansion rate. Finally, it was investigated if cell size could also be used to rank different apple cultivars for their susceptibility to B. cinerea. The result shows that there is a clear distinction between Jonagold and Golden Delicious (non‐blushing variety), which have a smaller cell size, and Braeburn and Kanzi, which have a larger cell size (overall correlation of 0.87). This indicates that cell size may also be an important factor in determining susceptibility across cultivars.

Time Is of the Essence—Early Activation of the Mevalonate Pathway in Apple Challenged With Gray Mold Correlates With Reduced Susceptibility During Postharvest Storage

“…Their results showed that in the incompatible interaction, the phenylpropanoid pathway was upregulated faster and stronger. Furthermore, previous research of us has found a link between cell density and resistance in apple, possibly due to a correlation with biosynthetic capacity; meaning, fruit with a higher cell density may be able to mount a larger defense response in a given time ( Naets et al, 2019 ). All this evidence indicates timing and magnitude of defense responses plays a key role in effective defense, and that, in the case of apple- B. cinerea , there is an important role for the MVA pathway.…”

“…This method had been shown to give reproducible infections. The side of the fruit was arbitrary, but important to fix, because previous research of us showed that the side of the fruit could have an effect on susceptibility to B. cinerea ( Naets et al, 2019 ). Each wound was inoculated with either 2 μL of the spore suspension (which will be denoted as B. cinerea inoculated) or 12 g L –1 PDB (mock inoculated).…”

Genetic Mapping and QTL Analysis of Fruit Traits in Melon (Cucumis melo L.)

“…In particular, EF, which relates to shelf life and market price, is a significant index. Fruit firmness is an illustration of a complex quantitative attribute impacted by genes that regulate cell wall, cell dilatation, and stratum trait [ 53 , 54 , 55 ]. In a study by Moreno et al [ 11 ], five QTLs ( FF2.2 , FF3.5 , FF8.2 , FF8.4 , and FF10.2 ) related to flesh firmness were detected using PI 161375 (SC) and Piel de Sapo (PS).…”