Articles
Comparative analysis of morphological, textural and cuticular traits in three pomegranate cultivars: implications for susceptibility to fruit cracking
Article number
1464_11
Pages
77 – 82
Language
English
Abstract
Pomegranate is one of the oldest fruit tree species to be domesticated; nowadays its cultivation is widespread thanks to its great adaptability to semi-arid conditions and to the qualitative traits of its fruit (especially the nutraceutical value and the organoleptic characteristics being appreciated). Nevertheless, the quality and quantity of pomegranate production is often negatively influenced by the occurrence of fruit cracking.
In this context, the morphological, textural, and cuticular characteristics of the cultivar ‘Wonderful’ (selected for its wide employment worldwide), coupled with two sicilian cultivars (‘Etna’ and ‘Primosole’), were investigated.
The three genotypes were evaluated combining pomological assessments (e.g., diameter and weight of the fruits), with textural analysis on both the arils and the tegmen using a texture analyzer. ‘Wonderful’ fruits exhibited both significantly larger fruit size and firmness of the arils and tegmen compared to ‘Etna’ and ‘Primosole’. Furthermore, the cuticle thickness and structure were evaluated in three portions of the fruits using an optical microscope.
The thickness of the cuticle did not show a significant correlation with the cracking attitude of the three accessions.
On the other side, the invaginations of the cuticle inside the epicarp seems to be associated to greater resistance to the stresses to which the fruit is subjected during the growth phases.
Our results showed larger invaginations for ‘Wonderful’ and ‘Etna’ which increase the fruit’s ability to withstand abiotic stress.
Conversely, ‘Primosole’, which has a cuticle with a lower degree of invagination, was the most susceptible to cracking.
The findings highlight the importance of cuticle morphology in determining fruit response to physical stresses likely involved in triggering cuticle lesions.
In this context, the morphological, textural, and cuticular characteristics of the cultivar ‘Wonderful’ (selected for its wide employment worldwide), coupled with two sicilian cultivars (‘Etna’ and ‘Primosole’), were investigated.
The three genotypes were evaluated combining pomological assessments (e.g., diameter and weight of the fruits), with textural analysis on both the arils and the tegmen using a texture analyzer. ‘Wonderful’ fruits exhibited both significantly larger fruit size and firmness of the arils and tegmen compared to ‘Etna’ and ‘Primosole’. Furthermore, the cuticle thickness and structure were evaluated in three portions of the fruits using an optical microscope.
The thickness of the cuticle did not show a significant correlation with the cracking attitude of the three accessions.
On the other side, the invaginations of the cuticle inside the epicarp seems to be associated to greater resistance to the stresses to which the fruit is subjected during the growth phases.
Our results showed larger invaginations for ‘Wonderful’ and ‘Etna’ which increase the fruit’s ability to withstand abiotic stress.
Conversely, ‘Primosole’, which has a cuticle with a lower degree of invagination, was the most susceptible to cracking.
The findings highlight the importance of cuticle morphology in determining fruit response to physical stresses likely involved in triggering cuticle lesions.
Authors
P. La Spada, M. Milia, E. Liotta, G. Modica, M. Di Guardo, A. Continella, A. Gentile, S. La Malfa
Keywords
Punica granatum, fruit cracking, morphology, texture, cuticle, cultivar comparison
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