Articles
The genetic control of apple high temperature browning and its implication for crop resilience in a changing climate
Article number
1362_60
Pages
449 – 454
Language
English
Abstract
Perishability of produce is a major factor in generating food waste.
The expense (and often lack) of refrigeration in emerging markets, coupled with a warming climate, exacerbates the problem.
Within the apple industry, reliance on a cold chain limits access to emerging markets while also contributing to global warming through energy usage.
These issues can be addressed both by breeding cultivars that maintain freshness at ambient temperatures and by developing postharvest technologies that reduce the need for cold storage.
Factors contributing to apple perishability include senescence, water loss, pathogen attack and storage disorders. PremA17, bred by Plant & Food Research, is prone to developing a postharvest disorder called high temperature browning (HTB). HTB occurs when cold-stored fruit (~0.5°C) are placed immediately into high ambient temperature (~30°C). The resultant severe flesh browning makes the fruit unmarketable.
We are investigating the genetic control of HTB. Over two seasons, fruit were phenotyped for HTB in 450 F1 progeny from three families, all having PremA17 as a mother.
Segregation of HTB in progeny displayed a clearly defined presence/absence, indicating a qualitative trait.
We collected genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data from parents and F1 to map the HTB trait onto the PremA17 genome.
To trace the genetic source of HTB, we phenotyped available ancestors going back four generations of the PremA17 pedigree.
Understanding the genetic and physiological basis of HTB will support the development of HTB-resistant cultivars and inform postharvest strategies to manage the disorder in susceptible cultivars.
These are important steps towards addressing the challenge of delivering fresh produce globally without needing excessive refrigeration and packaging.
The expense (and often lack) of refrigeration in emerging markets, coupled with a warming climate, exacerbates the problem.
Within the apple industry, reliance on a cold chain limits access to emerging markets while also contributing to global warming through energy usage.
These issues can be addressed both by breeding cultivars that maintain freshness at ambient temperatures and by developing postharvest technologies that reduce the need for cold storage.
Factors contributing to apple perishability include senescence, water loss, pathogen attack and storage disorders. PremA17, bred by Plant & Food Research, is prone to developing a postharvest disorder called high temperature browning (HTB). HTB occurs when cold-stored fruit (~0.5°C) are placed immediately into high ambient temperature (~30°C). The resultant severe flesh browning makes the fruit unmarketable.
We are investigating the genetic control of HTB. Over two seasons, fruit were phenotyped for HTB in 450 F1 progeny from three families, all having PremA17 as a mother.
Segregation of HTB in progeny displayed a clearly defined presence/absence, indicating a qualitative trait.
We collected genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data from parents and F1 to map the HTB trait onto the PremA17 genome.
To trace the genetic source of HTB, we phenotyped available ancestors going back four generations of the PremA17 pedigree.
Understanding the genetic and physiological basis of HTB will support the development of HTB-resistant cultivars and inform postharvest strategies to manage the disorder in susceptible cultivars.
These are important steps towards addressing the challenge of delivering fresh produce globally without needing excessive refrigeration and packaging.
Authors
B. Orcheski, E. López-Girona, A. Tattersall, D. Chagné, F. Elliott, D. Hunter, A. Karlstrom, R.K. Volz, J. Johnston
Keywords
Malus, breeding, postharvest, flesh browning, fruit quality
Groups involved
- Division Plant Genetic Resources, Breeding and Biotechnology
- Division Ornamental Plants
- Division Tropical and Subtropical Fruit and Nuts
- Division Vegetables, Roots and Tubers
- Division Temperate Tree Nuts
- Division Temperate Tree Fruits
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Division Postharvest and Quality Assurance
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Commission Agroecology and Organic Farming Systems
- Working Group Genetic Transformation and Gene Editing
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