GNPS - Rootstock vigor dictates the canopy light environment that regulates metabolite profile and internal fruit quality development in peach

ABSTRACT: Five rootstock cultivars of differing vigor: vigorous (Atlas and Brights Hybrid 5), standard (Krymsk 86 and Lovell) and dwarfing (Krymsk 1) with Redhaven as scion were studied for their impact on internal fruit quality and maturity. Five years of data showed that average yield (kg per tree) and fruit count increased significantly with increasing vigor (trunk cross sectional area, TCSA), however, no difference was observed in fruit size across rootstocks. In 2019, a detailed peach fruit quality analysis on fruit of equal maturity (based on index of absorbance difference, IAD) coming from trees with equal crop load (no. of fruit cm-2 of TCSA) characterized the direct impact of rootstock vigor on peach internal quality. Twenty-five fruits from each rootstock were assessed for maturity [IAD and flesh firmness (FF)] and internal quality [dry matter content (DMC) and soluble solids concentration (SSC)]. Physiologically characterized peach fruit mesocarp was further analyzed by non-targeted metabolite profiling using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). To account for differences in light availability created by the varying levels of vigor, and its influence on the developing fruits internal quality, mid-canopy photosynthetic active radiation transmission (i.e., light availability) was collected across genotypes with a line quantum sensor. DMC and SSC increased significantly with decreasing vigor and increasing light availability, potentially due to reduced intra-tree shading and better light distribution within the canopy. Metabolite distribution was associated with rootstock vigor class, mid-canopy light availability and fruit quality characteristics. Fructose, glucose, sorbose, neochlorogenic and quinic acids, catechin and sorbitol were associated with high light environments and enhanced quality traits, while sucrose, butanoic and malic acids related to low light conditions and inferior fruit quality. These outcomes show that while rootstock genotype and vigor are influencing peach tree productivity and yield, their effect on manipulating the light environment within the canopy also plays a significant role in fruit quality development.

INSTRUMENT(S): Clarus SQ 8S Mass Spectrometer

ORGANISM(S): Prunus Persica (ncbitaxon:3760)

SUBMITTER: Jessica Prenni  

PROVIDER: MSV000093207 | GNPS | Thu Oct 26 15:59:00 BST 2023

REPOSITORIES: GNPS