Recent Trends and Advances in Research and Technology of Berry Crops

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Horticultural and Floricultural Crops".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 24968

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach (FEM), Via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all'Adige, Italy
Interests: berries breeding and fruit quality at harvest and during postharvest

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Berries are currently some of the most fast-changing crops, both in terms of production, since their economic growth has been extremely high in the last five years over the whole globe, as well as in terms of crops management. The development of new cultivars and their widespread distribution has brought prominence to new adaptation to different environments, potential of optimization of the productions from zero to very high chill zones, and new perspectives of indoor low energy productions.

Blueberry, raspberries, blackberries, and other minor berries can be grown in soil and pots, on a very wide range of environments. This needs accurate knowledge of the genotype, phenology, plant architecture, plant protection to optimize the yield and quality of the fruit. Berries are commercially shipped all over the world, and thus, postharvest conditions, together with new technologies, are critical to end users and to sustainability.

Low-waste, reusable, and recyclable materials and the use of genetic resources that might face climate change are a challenge in the whole berries production.

All these crops issues are in need of further knowledge. With this Special Issue, we would like to bring together the latest research findings dealing with all aspects of berry production, including biology, genetics and genomics, physiology, technology, and innovative management strategies in preharvest and postharvest.

Dr. Lara Giongo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • genetics and genomics
  • reflowering and refruiting
  • soil protected and greenhouse production
  • management strategies
  • plant protection
  • fruit quality
  • postharvest

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1560 KiB  
Article
Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) for Examining the Genomics Controlling Prickle Production in Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.)
by Archana Khadgi and Courtney A. Weber
Agronomy 2021, 11(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11010027 - 24 Dec 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4698
Abstract
Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) is an expanding high-value berry crop worldwide. The presence of prickles, outgrowths of epidermal tissues lacking vasculature, on the canes, petioles, and undersides of leaves complicates both field management and harvest. The utilization of cultivars with fewer [...] Read more.
Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) is an expanding high-value berry crop worldwide. The presence of prickles, outgrowths of epidermal tissues lacking vasculature, on the canes, petioles, and undersides of leaves complicates both field management and harvest. The utilization of cultivars with fewer prickles or prickle-free canes simplifies production. A previously generated population segregating for prickles utilizing the s locus between the prickle-free cultivar Joan J (ss) and the prickled cultivar Caroline (Ss) was analyzed to identify the genomic region associated with prickle development in red raspberry. Genotype by sequencing (GBS) was combined with a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using fixed and random model circulating probability unification (FarmCPU) to analyze 8474 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and identify significant markers associated with the prickle-free trait. A total of four SNPs were identified on chromosome 4 that were associated with the phenotype and were located near or in annotated genes. This study demonstrates how association genetics can be used to decipher the genetic control of important horticultural traits in Rubus, and provides valuable information about the genomic region and potential genes underlying the prickle-free trait. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends and Advances in Research and Technology of Berry Crops)
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18 pages, 3448 KiB  
Article
RNA-Seq Analysis of Prickled and Prickle-Free Epidermis Provides Insight into the Genetics of Prickle Development in Red Raspberry (Rubus ideaus L.)
by Archana Khadgi and Courtney A. Weber
Agronomy 2020, 10(12), 1904; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10121904 - 2 Dec 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4000
Abstract
Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) is a globally commercialized specialty crop with growing demand worldwide. The presence of prickles on the stems, petioles and undersides of the leaves complicates both the field management and harvesting of raspberries. An RNA sequencing analysis was [...] Read more.
Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) is a globally commercialized specialty crop with growing demand worldwide. The presence of prickles on the stems, petioles and undersides of the leaves complicates both the field management and harvesting of raspberries. An RNA sequencing analysis was used to identify differentially expressed genes in the epidermal tissue of prickled “Caroline” and prickle-free “Joan J.” and their segregating progeny. Expression patterns of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in prickle-free plants revealed the downregulation of some vital development-related transcription factors (TFs), including a MIXTA-like R2R3-MYB family member; MADS-box; APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSIVE FACTOR (AP2/ERF) and NAM, ATAF1/2 and CUC2 (NAC) in prickle-free epidermis tissue. The downregulation of these TFs was confirmed by qRT-PCR analysis, indicating a key regulatory role in prickle development. This study adds to the understanding of prickle development mechanisms in red raspberries needed for utilizing genetic engineering strategies for developing prickle-free raspberry cultivars and, possibly, other Rubus species, such as blackberry (Rubus sp.) and black raspberry (R. occidentalis L.). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends and Advances in Research and Technology of Berry Crops)
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11 pages, 2057 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Benefits of Protecting Table Grape Vineyards against Trunk Diseases in the California Desert
by Carmen Gispert, Jonathan D. Kaplan, Elizabeth Deyett and Philippe E. Rolshausen
Agronomy 2020, 10(12), 1895; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10121895 - 30 Nov 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3068
Abstract
Grapevine trunk diseases (GTD) are caused by several fungal species and are major limiting factors to vineyard productivity and profitability in all viticulture areas. This study is aimed at addressing the gap in the knowledge with regards to measuring the long-term benefits of [...] Read more.
Grapevine trunk diseases (GTD) are caused by several fungal species and are major limiting factors to vineyard productivity and profitability in all viticulture areas. This study is aimed at addressing the gap in the knowledge with regards to measuring the long-term benefits of post-pruning fungicide application on trunk diseases incidence and crop yield in grape production systems. It also calculated the net economic benefit of implementing such practice over the vineyard lifespan. We selected a newly planted commercial table grape vineyard in the California desert and divided it in two blocks. In one block, the registered fungicide thiophanate-methyl was mechanically applied on pruning wounds for six consecutive years, while the other half remained untreated. Our results showed a significant lower GTD incidence and vine replants in treated blocks combined with a significant increase of total and marketable fruit. Potential annual economic benefits of applying fungicide on pruning wounds appear to be in the range of $8500–$12,500 per hectare annually in a 50–75% disease control scenario. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends and Advances in Research and Technology of Berry Crops)
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11 pages, 1477 KiB  
Article
Effects of Cane Emergence Time, Bending, and Defoliation on Flowering and Yield in Primocane-Fruiting Blackberry
by Fumiomi Takeda, Ann Rose and Kathleen Demchak
Agronomy 2020, 10(11), 1737; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111737 - 7 Nov 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3714
Abstract
Primocane-fruiting (PF) blackberries are adaptable to different production systems. To increase yields in PF blackberries, their primocanes are typically tipped or topped in summer to encourage branch formation from axillary buds below the cut. In this study, we determined in PF ‘Prime-Ark® [...] Read more.
Primocane-fruiting (PF) blackberries are adaptable to different production systems. To increase yields in PF blackberries, their primocanes are typically tipped or topped in summer to encourage branch formation from axillary buds below the cut. In this study, we determined in PF ‘Prime-Ark® Traveler’ whether early emerging primocanes were more productive than those that emerged later in the season, and the effect of primocane bending and defoliation on flowering. The primocanes that emerged in April produced 64% more flower shoots than those that emerged after May. Also, these findings indicate the alternative primocane management practices of selecting the early emerging primocanes and bending to orient primocanes horizontally, and leaf removal to increase budbreak and flower shoot emergence. The present work contributes toward a better understanding of primocane emergence time and orientation–flowering relations, and how these factors mediate crop performance of PF blackberry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends and Advances in Research and Technology of Berry Crops)
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15 pages, 3806 KiB  
Article
An Optimal Combination of the Propagation Medium and Fogging Duration Enhances the Survival, Rooting and Early Growth of Strawberry Daughter Plants
by Hao Wei, Chen Liu and Byoung Ryong Jeong
Agronomy 2020, 10(4), 557; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10040557 - 12 Apr 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4213
Abstract
Runner propagation is an important process in strawberry cultivation, which influences plant survival and fruit yield during the commercial production. In South Korea, this process is carried out on plug tray benches that are set off the ground in greenhouses, rather than in [...] Read more.
Runner propagation is an important process in strawberry cultivation, which influences plant survival and fruit yield during the commercial production. In South Korea, this process is carried out on plug tray benches that are set off the ground in greenhouses, rather than in open fields. During the propagation, the propagation media and fogging systems play an important role in the survival and rooting of daughter plants. The aim of this study is to investigate the influences of the different types of propagation media and various fogging treatments on the rooting and early growth of strawberry daughter plants. Two strawberry cultivars—‘Maehyang’ and ‘Seolhyang’—in a glasshouse, grown in four different propagation media-a peat moss-based mixture (PBM), rockwool cube (RWC), granular rockwool (GRW), and a coir-based mixture (CBM)—combined with five fogging durations, 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days were tested. PBM with 9–12 days of fogging was the most ideal combination for the rooting and early growth of daughter plants of the two strawberry cultivars, which increased the ratio of survival and rooting, number of new leaves, root length and maximised the fresh and dry weights of the aboveground and belowground runner biomass. However, fogging treatments shorter than 9 days led to a lower survival rate and rooting. RWC and GRW are not recommended for young plants of these two strawberry cultivars because their strong water-retentive properties could subject the root to water stress, which can lead to root rotting. The purpose of this study is to provide a reference for strawberry growers to improve the quality of plants and efficiency of production during the propagation period. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends and Advances in Research and Technology of Berry Crops)
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18 pages, 1079 KiB  
Article
Extraction of Antioxidants from Blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius L.): Comparison between Ultrasound- and Microwave-Assisted Extraction Techniques
by Estrella Espada-Bellido, Marta Ferreiro-González, Ceferino Carrera, Miguel Palma, José A. Álvarez, Gerardo F. Barbero and Jesús Ayuso
Agronomy 2019, 9(11), 745; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9110745 - 11 Nov 2019
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4639
Abstract
Berries are considered functional food because of their potential health benefits to consumers due to their high concentrations in bioactive compounds. The extraction process of their antioxidant compounds is a crucial step. In this work, ultrasound (UAE) and microwave (MAE) assisted extraction have [...] Read more.
Berries are considered functional food because of their potential health benefits to consumers due to their high concentrations in bioactive compounds. The extraction process of their antioxidant compounds is a crucial step. In this work, ultrasound (UAE) and microwave (MAE) assisted extraction have been evaluated and compared for the recovery of total phenolic compounds (TPC) and total anthocyanins (TA) from blackberry. Since several variables have an influence on the extraction processes efficiency, a response surface method using a Box–Behnken design (BBD) was chosen for the optimization of UAE and MAE variables. Six variables (solvent, temperature, amplitude, cycle, pH, and sample:solvent ratio) were optimized for UAE while the optimization for MAE was performed on four variables (solvent, temperature, pH, and sample:solvent ratio). It has been proven that solvent and temperature have a significant influence on the extraction of both TA and TPC. Only 10 and 5 min were necessary to complete the UAE and MAE procedures, respectively. A precision study was also carried out, and coefficient of variation lower than 5% was determined. Non-significant differences were obtained when using UAE and MAE at their respective optimum conditions. Thus, the results demonstrated a successful potential use of both techniques for the extraction of TA and TPC from blackberry. In conclusion, this work shows interesting perspectives for quality control analytical laboratories for the development of rapid extraction techniques to quantify these antioxidant compounds in blackberries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends and Advances in Research and Technology of Berry Crops)
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