Journal of Berry Research - Volume 3, issue 3

Authors: Mezzetti, Bruno

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: Traditional breeding is based on the identification of the most suitable genetic resources from either cultivated or wild germplasm. Starting from wild germplasm, progeny from strawberry crosses with F. virginiana glauca as a common parent have shown significant increases in fruit quality and nutritional features. This confirms the use of the wild species to improve several characteristics of cultivated strawberry. However, commercial cultivars of F. × ananassa already perform well, due to the combination of important agronomic traits with improved fruit nutritional quality. A considerable number of molecular studies have targeted strawberry for gene cloning, genetic transformation, and fingerprinting and …mapping for important agronomic traits, such as plant habitus, disease resistance, and fruit nutritional quality. Meanwhile, the completion of the diploid strawberry genome sequence promises to accelerate candidate-gene approaches for marker discovery. In addition, these achievements are expanding the potential applications of DNA recombinant technology for the transfer and validation of target genes that control important traits, including fruit nutritional quality. The major limitation of such genetically modified organism technology in strawberry is the lack of public acceptance. To overcome this problem, particular attention needs to be given to the safety issues through all of the steps in the preparation and evaluation of these genetically modified organisms. Show more

Keywords: Nutritional quality, genetic resources, breeding, genetically modified organisms, biosafety

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-130053

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 127-133, 2013

Authors: Chambers, Alan H. | Pollard, Heather | Folta, Kevin M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Strawberry (Fragaria spp.) is prone to natural polyploidization. Strawberry shoots regenerated through tissue culture callus may exhibit variations in ploidy. Rapid and accurate ploidy estimation is important for basic research as well as cultivar improvement. OBJECTIVES: Ploidy-measurement methods are well established in strawberry and other plants. The objective of this work was to define the strengths and limitations to various ploidy-estimation tests. METHODS: Measurements were performed on a set of known diploids and polyploids as well as synthetic colchiploids. Comparisons were made using petiole size, stomatal size, leaf dimensions, and pollen diameter and compared to flow cytometry results. RESULTS: …Simple methods like leaf proportions and stomatal size may vary greatly based on environmental factors. Pollen measurement proves reliable, but only within tetraploids arising from a single genotype. Measurements made with flow cytometry reliably indicated ploidy and revealed within-plant variation such as mixoploidy. CONCLUSIONS: Methods for measuring ploidy in Fragaria vary in complexity, ease, execution time and precision. This work defines the strengths and limitations of several methods, along with the considerations required for accurate comparisons between genotypes and ploidy levels. Show more

Keywords: Strawberry, Fragaria, polyploidy, colchicine, flow cytometry

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-130057

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 135-149, 2013

Authors: Mookerjee, Sonali | Mathey, Megan M. | Finn, Chad E. | Zhang, Zhongnan | Hancock, James F.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Flower initiation in strawberry is often classified by photoperiod sensitivity; however, temperature also plays a major role in determining flower initiation. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to determine the role heat tolerance plays in regulating remontant flowering in a segregating population of strawberry, Fragaria×ananassa. METHODS: Non-remontant (short day) ‘Honeoye’ and remontant ‘Tribute’ were crossed and 54 progeny were grown in three temperature regimes (17, 20, and 23°C) under a long photoperiod in the greenhouse and differences in flower and runner formation among the progeny were compared. In addition, clonally replicated individuals of the same family were grown in the field …in Michigan and Oregon, so that the extent of heat tolerance observed for each genotype in the greenhouse studies could be compared to their phenotype in the field (remontant vs. non-remontant). RESULTS: A significant Genotype x Environment interaction was observed in the greenhouse studies, indicating that there was a strong genetic component regulating the response of the individuals to increasing temperature. The level of heat tolerance, as defined as the difference in flower numbers at 23°C vs. 17°C, showed a continuous distribution among the progeny, indicating polygenic control. The majority of the genotypes that were remontant in the field produced more flowers at 23°C than at 17°C in the greenhouse trials. Flower initiation in both the parents was reduced at 23°C, but ‘Tribute’ produced significantly more flowers than ‘Honeoye’ at 23°C (48.0 vs. 11.3). Most remontant progeny had few runners, although there were some notable exceptions. CONCLUSIONS: Temperature tolerance plays an important role in the flower and runner initiation of remontant genotypes. Genotypes with high heat tolerance can be selected that will more dependably flower in environments with highly variable levels of summer heat. Show more

Keywords: Recurrent flowering, remontancy, heat tolerance, flowering, day neutral, photoperiod

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-130056

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 151-158, 2013

Authors: Thomas, Andrew L. | Perkins-Veazie, Penelope | Byers, Patrick L. | Finn, Chad E. | Lee, Jungmin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) fruit are used for food and dietary supplements in Europe and North America, and contain large amounts of cyanidin-based anthocyanins and other phenolics that may benefit human health. OBJECTIVES: Information on the effect of both genotype and production environment on elderberry juice characteristics is needed in order to optimize production of quality food and dietary supplements. METHODS: The characteristics of elderberry fruits relative to genetic and production environment were evaluated from 12 American elderberry genotypes at three U.S. sites (two in Missouri and one in Oregon) over three growing seasons. Additional genotypes of American and European …elderberry were studied at the Oregon site. RESULTS: Location, genotype, and growing season influenced pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity, total phenolics, and total anthocyanins. Elderberries grown in Oregon were consistently higher in acidity than those grown in Missouri. Differences in acidity and anthocyanin with environment were dependent on genotype. Non-acylated anthocyanins and flavonol-glycosides were more influenced by location than by genotype. CONCLUSION: ‘Bob Gordon’ and ‘Adams 2’ genotypes, which are good producers in diverse environments, were significantly higher in total phenolic and total anthocyanin contents in all locations, and may be good selections for producing juices, wines, or health products. Show more

Keywords: Sambucus, medicinal, berry quality, anthocyanin, phenolics

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-130054

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 159-168, 2013

Authors: Romandini, S. | Mazzoni, L. | Giampieri, F. | Tulipani, S. | Gasparrini, M. | Forbes-Hernandez, T.Y. | Locorotondo, N. | D'Alessandro, M. | Mezzetti, B. | Bompadre, S. | Alvarez-Suarez, J.M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Berries are raising increasing interest in the last years because of their nutritional quality and the several bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties that contain. Many studies reported significant increases in the plasma antioxidant capacity after long term and acute consumptions of antioxidant-rich foods. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to confirm the healthy effect of strawberry consumption, evaluating the impact of an acute strawberry intake for 15 days on the plasma oxidative status of healthy volunteers. METHODS: To investigate the possible changes in the total antioxidant capacity of plasma, TEAC, FRAP, BAP and –SHp tests were performed; furthermore, …the proteins' carbonyl residues test and the d-ROMs test were conducted to evaluate the protection provided by the strawberry consumption against radical damage. RESULTS: Acute strawberry consumption improved the plasma TAC, increasing FRAP and BAP values, both immediately after the strawberry consumption and the washout period. Similarly, the strawberry intake decreased proteins' carbonyl residues and d-ROMs test values. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the nutritional quality of Alba strawberry cultivar and demonstrates that the acute strawberry intake improves the plasma antioxidant capacity, and protects plasma proteins from the radical damage, also after the washout period. Show more

Keywords: Strawberry, human acute consumption, plasma antioxidant capacity, plasma radical damage

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-130055

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 169-179, 2013