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Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Plants for Yield, Quality, and Resistance to Diseases

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A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Horticultural Science and Ornamental Plants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 September 2023) | Viewed by 23197

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Prof. Dr. Adrián Rodríguez-Burruezo

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Guest Editor

Instituto de Conservación y Mejora de la Agrodiversidad Valenciana (COMAV), University Politécnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, CP 46022 Valencia, Spain
Interests: plant breeding; plant genetic resources; fruit nutritional quality; organoleptic quality; volatiles; organic breeding
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In this Special Issue, a wide scope of works aimed at plant breeding and genetic improvement of horticultural plants or neglected or new species with horticultural use (e.g., wild rocket, low domesticated species) is welcomed. Some of the kind of works which may fit this Special Issue are: i) improvement of yield per se, as well as breeding for the adaptation of plant populations and varieties to abiotic stresses (e.g., saline conditions, drought, soil toxicity, high or low temperatures, light) and low-input conditions (e.g., low fertilizer use, organic farming, agroforestry) to achieve good yields, including root–soil interaction to improve the performance of the aerial part; ii) search for sources of resistance or tolerance to any pathogen affecting horticultural plants (e.g., pests, fungi, bacteria, viruses) and strategies for genetic improvement; iii) genetic improvement and germplasm characterization of quality traits, i.e., antioxidants, vitamins, carotenoids, taste-related traits (e.g., sugars, acids, tanins), flavor/aroma-related traits (e.g., capsaicinoids, isothiocyanates, volatiles), programs supported on panel tests, etc.; iv) applied breeding programs; and v) participatory activities and experiments (i.e., scientists, technicians, consumers, retailers) for any of the aforementioned issues.

Prof. Dr. Adrián Rodríguez-Burruezo
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

horticultural plants
productivity
fruit composition
flavor
abiotic stress
diseases
breeding
genetics

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 2300 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seed Germination and Growth Improvement for Early Maturing Pear Breeding

by Jialiang Kan, Na Yuan, Jing Lin, Hui Li, Qingsong Yang, Zhonghua Wang, Zhijun Shen, Yeqing Ying, Xiaogang Li and Fuliang Cao

Plants 2023, 12(24), 4120; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12244120 - 10 Dec 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1429

Abstract

Breeding early maturing cultivars is one of the most important objectives in pear breeding. Very early maturing pears provide an excellent parental material for crossing, but the immature embryo and low seed germination of their hybrid progenies often limit the selection and breeding of new early maturing pear cultivars. In this study, we choose a very early maturing pear cultivar ‘Pearl Pear’ as the study object and investigate the effects of cold stratification, the culture medium, and the seed coat on the germination and growth of early maturing pear seeds. Our results show that cold stratification (4 °C) treatment could significantly improve the germination rates of early maturing pear seeds. A total of 100 days of cold-temperature treatment in 4 °C and in vitro germination on White medium increased the germination rate to 84.54%. We also observed that seed coat removal improved the germination of early maturing pear seeds, with middle seed coat removal representing the optimal method, with a high germination rate and low contamination. The results of our study led to the establishment of an improved protocol for the germination of early maturing pear, which will greatly facilitate the breeding of new very early maturing pear cultivars. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Plants for Yield, Quality, and Resistance to Diseases)

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12 pages, 5818 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Heterologous Expression of a Ferritin Homologue Gene PpFer1 from Prunus persica Enhances Plant Tolerance to Iron Toxicity and H₂O₂ Stress in Arabidopsis thaliana

by Yong Yang, Jinjin Zhang, Mengyuan Li, Youzheng Ning, Yifei Tao, Shengpeng Shi, Adeeba Dark and Zhizhong Song

Plants 2023, 12(24), 4093; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12244093 - 7 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1026

Abstract

In plants, ferritin proteins play an important role in iron (Fe) storage which contributes to plant growth and development. However, the biological functions of ferritins in fruit trees are essentially unknown. In this study, three Ferritin genes were isolated from ‘Zhentong No. 3’ peach, which were named PpFer1-PpFer3. The expression levels of these genes were different in distinct tissues/organs. Notably, PpFer1 was the most abundantly expressed Ferritin family gene in all tested tissues of ‘Zhentong No. 3’ peach; its expression levels were significantly enhanced throughout the entire peach seedling under Fe toxicity and H₂O₂ stress, particularly in the leaves. In addition, over-expression of PpFer1 was effective in rescuing the retarded growth of Arabidopsis fer1-2 knockout mutant, embodied in enhanced fresh weight, primary root length, lateral root numbers, total root length, total leaf chlorophyll, stomatal conductance (G_s), net photosynthetic rate (P_n), transpiration rate, and tissue Fe concentration. This study provides insights into understanding the molecular mechanisms of Fe storage and sequestration in perennial fruit trees. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Plants for Yield, Quality, and Resistance to Diseases)

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15 pages, 2299 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cucurbitacins B, E and I Concentrations and Relationship with Drought Tolerance in Bottle Gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.]

by Phumzile Mkhize, Hussein Shimelis and Jacob Mashilo

Plants 2023, 12(19), 3492; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12193492 - 7 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1580

Abstract

Bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.]) is a relatively drought-tolerant cucurbit due to the high composition of unique biochemical compositions, including cucurbitacin. The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of cucurbitacins in bottle gourd and their relationship to drought tolerance. The study assessed 12 bottle gourd accessions grown under two moisture levels (i.e., non-stressed (NS) and drought-stressed (DS)) and three drought stress intensities (i.e., mild, moderate, and severe) using a 12 × 2 × 3 factorial experiment designed in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Control studies were undertaken under glasshouse conditions. The content of cucurbitacins B, E, and I were quantified in leaves and roots using high-performance liquid Cchromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). The free radical scavenging activities of pure cucurbitacins B, E, and I were quantified using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and a ferrulic acid power assay (FRAP). Results revealed that cucurbitacins B and I were present in accessions BG-48, BG-58, BG-70, BG-78, BG-79, BG-81, BG-52, and GC in leaves and roots under DS condition. The contents of cucurbitacins B and I were enhanced under increased drought intensity for accessions BG-48, BG-81, and GC. In all the leaf and root samples, cucurbitacin E was not detectable. Based on the DPPH test, pure cucurbitacins I, B, and E reduced free radicals at maximum values of 78, 60, and 66%, respectively. Based on the FRAP assay, pure cucurbitacins I, B, and E had maximum ferric-reducing powers of 67, 62, and 48%. Additionally, cucurbitacin I recorded the highest antioxidant activity compared to cucurbitacins B and E. Increased cucurbitacin accumulation and antioxidant properties indicate their role in minimising cell damage caused by oxidative stress under drought-stressed environments. The present study revealed that cucurbitacins B and I serve as novel biochemical markers for screening drought tolerance in bottle gourd or related cucurbits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Plants for Yield, Quality, and Resistance to Diseases)

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16 pages, 3551 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polyploid Induction and Identification of Rosa roxburghii f. eseiosa

by Huijing Wu, Lanlan Jiang, Jin’e Li, Min Lu and Huaming An

Plants 2023, 12(11), 2194; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12112194 - 1 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1877

Abstract

Rosa roxburghii f. eseiosa Ku is a variety of Rosa roxburghii, with two known genotypes: Wuci 1 and Wuci 2. The lack of prickle on the peel of R. roxburghii f. eseiosa makes it easy to pick and process, but its fruit size is small. Therefore, we aim to induce polyploidy in order to obtain a larger fruit variety of R. roxburghii f. eseiosa. In this study, current-year stems of Wuci 1 and Wuci 2 were used as materials for polyploid induction, which was carried out through colchicine treatment coupled with tissue culture and rapid propagation technology. Impregnation and smearing methods were effectively used to produce polyploids. Using flow cytometry and a chromosome counting method, it was found that one autotetraploid of Wuci 1 (2n = 4x = 28) was obtained by the impregnation method before primary culture, with a variation rate of 1.11%. Meanwhile, seven Wuci 2 bud mutation tetraploids (2n = 4x = 28) were produced by smearing methods during the training seedling stage. When tissue-culture seedlings were treated with 20 mg/L colchicine for 15 days, the highest polyploidy rate was up to 60%. Morphological differences between different ploidys were observed. The side leaflet shape index, guard cell length, and stomatal length of the Wuci 1 tetraploid were significantly different from those of the Wuci 1 diploid. The terminal leaflet width, terminal leaflet shape index, side leaflet length, side leaflet width, guard cell length, guard cell width, stomatal length, and stomatal width of the Wuci 2 tetraploid were significantly different from those of the Wuci 2 diploid. Additionally, the leaf color of the Wuci 1 and Wuci 2 tetraploids changed from light to dark, with an initial decrease in chlorophyll content followed by an increase. In summary, this study established an effective method for inducing polyploids in R. roxburghii f. eseiosa, which could provide a foundation for the breeding and development of new genetic resources for R. roxburghii f. eseiosa and other R. roxburghii varieties in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Plants for Yield, Quality, and Resistance to Diseases)

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17 pages, 2150 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of QTLs and Putative Candidate Genes for Plant Architecture of Lotus Revealed by Regional Association Mapping

by Mei Zhao, Jibin Zhang, Chuxuan Yang, Zhenhua Cui and Longqing Chen

Plants 2023, 12(6), 1221; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12061221 - 8 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1564

Abstract

The lotus (Nelumbo Adans.) is one of the most economically relevant ornamental aquatic plants. Plant architecture (PA) is an important trait for lotus classification, cultivation, breeding, and applications. However, the underlying genetic and molecular basis controlling PA remains poorly understood. In this study, an association study for PA-related traits was performed with 93 genome-wide microsatellite markers (simple sequence repeat, SSR) and 51 insertion–deletion (InDel) markers derived from the candidate regions using a panel of 293 lotus accessions. Phenotypic data analysis of the five PA-related traits revealed a wide normal distribution and high heritability from 2013 to 2016, which indicated that lotus PA-related traits are highly polygenic traits. The population structure (Q-matrix) and the relative kinships (K-matrix) of the association panels were analyzed using 93 SSR markers. The mixed linear model (MLM) taking Q-matrix and K-matrix into account was used to estimate the association between markers and the traits. A total of 26 markers and 65 marker–trait associations were identified by considering associations with p < 0.001 and Q < 0.05. Based on the significant markers, two QTLs on Chromosome 1 were identified, and two candidate genes were preliminarily determined. The results of our study provided useful information for the lotus breeding aiming at different PA phenotypes using a molecular-assisted selection (MAS) method and also laid the foundation for the illustration of the molecular mechanism underlying the major QTL and key markers associated with lotus PA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Plants for Yield, Quality, and Resistance to Diseases)

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36 pages, 3267 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Quantitative Traits of Interest in Apple Breeding and Their Implications for Selection

by Radu E. Sestras and Adriana F. Sestras

Plants 2023, 12(4), 903; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12040903 - 16 Feb 2023

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3012

Abstract

Apple breeding is a laborious and long-lasting process that requires qualified resources, land, time, and funds. In this study, more than 5000 F₁ apple hybrids from direct and testcrosses were analyzed. The results revealed how the phenotypic expression of the main quantitative traits of interest assessed in five half-sib families was controlled by the additive genetic effects and by non-additive effects of dominance and epistasis. The statistical number of hybrids required to ensure efficient selection increased exponentially with the number of desirable traits. The minimum number of progenies required to obtain a hybrid with associated quantitative traits of agronomic interest was highly variable. For two independent traits essential in selection (fruit size and quality), but incorporated together in the same hybrid, the statistical number was between about 30 and 300. If three more cumulative traits were added (a large number of fruits per tree, resistance/tolerance to apple scab, and powdery mildew attack), the limits increased to between 1500 and 18,000. The study highlighted the need for new apple varieties due to the narrowing of the genetic diversity of the cultivated species and how the choice of parents used in hybridizations (as well as the objectives pursued in the selection) can increase the efficiency of apple breeding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Plants for Yield, Quality, and Resistance to Diseases)

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26 pages, 3976 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Responses to Salt Stress of the Interspecific Hybrid Solanum insanum × Solanum melongena and Its Parental Species

by Neus Ortega-Albero, Sara González-Orenga, Oscar Vicente, Adrián Rodríguez-Burruezo and Ana Fita

Plants 2023, 12(2), 295; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12020295 - 8 Jan 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1826

Abstract

Soil salinity is becoming one of the most critical problems for agriculture in the current climate change scenario. Growth parameters, such as plant height, root length and fresh weight, and several biochemical stress markers (chlorophylls, total flavonoids and proline), have been determined in young plants of Solanum melongena, its wild relative Solanum insanum, and their interspecific hybrid, grown in the presence of 200 and 400 mM of NaCl, and in adult plants in the long-term presence of 80 mM of NaCl, in order to assess their responses to salt stress. Cultivated eggplant showed a relatively high salt tolerance, compared to most common crops, primarily based on the control of ion transport and osmolyte biosynthesis. S. insanum exhibited some specific responses, such as the salt-induced increase in leaf K⁺ contents (653.8 μmol g⁻¹ dry weight) compared to S. melongena (403 μmol g⁻¹ dry weight) at 400 mM of NaCl. Although there were no substantial differences in growth in the presence of salt, biochemical evidence of a better response to salt stress of the wild relative was detected, such as a higher proline content. The hybrid showed higher tolerance than either of the parents with better growth parameters, such as plant height increment (7.3 cm) and fresh weight (240.4% root fresh weight and 113.3% shoot fresh weight) at intermediate levels of salt stress. For most biochemical variables, the hybrid showed an intermediate behaviour between the two parent species, but for proline it was closer to S. insanum (ca. 2200 μmol g⁻¹ dry weight at 200 mM NaCl). These results show the possibility of developing new salt tolerance varieties in eggplant by introducing genes from S. insanum. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Plants for Yield, Quality, and Resistance to Diseases)

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19 pages, 2586 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of the Varietal Type, Ripening Stage, and Growing Conditions on the Content and Profile of Sugars and Capsaicinoids in Capsicum Peppers

by Carla Guijarro-Real, Ana M. Adalid-Martínez, Cherrine K. Pires, Ana M. Ribes-Moya, Ana Fita and Adrián Rodríguez-Burruezo

Plants 2023, 12(2), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12020231 - 4 Jan 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2363

Abstract

Peppers (Capsicum sp.) are used both as vegetables and/or spice and their fruits are used in a plethora of recipes, contributing to their flavor and aroma. Among flavor-related traits, pungency (capsaicinoids) and lately volatiles have been considered the most important factors. However, the knowledge of sugars is low, probably due to the fact peppers were historically considered tasteless. Here, using HPLC, we studied the content and profile of major sugars and capsaicinoids in a comprehensive collection of varietal types (genotype, G), grown under different growing systems (environment, E) in two years (Y) and considered the two main ripening stages (R). We found a major contribution to the ripening stage and the genotype in total and individual sugars and capsaicinoids. The year was also significant in most cases, as well as the G × E and G × Y interactions, while the growing system was low or nil. Ripening increased considerably in sugars (from 19.6 to 36.1 g kg⁻¹ on average) and capsaicinoids (from 97 to 142 mg kg⁻¹ on average), with remarkable differences among varieties. Moreover, sugars in fully ripe fruits ranged between 7.5 and 38.5 g kg⁻¹ in glucose and between 5.2 and 34.3 g kg⁻¹ in fructose, and several accessions reached total sugars between 40 and 70 g kg⁻¹, similar to tomatoes. The results reveal the importance of the genotype and the ripening for these traits, particularly sugars, which should be considered key for the improvement of taste and flavor in peppers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Plants for Yield, Quality, and Resistance to Diseases)

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Review

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18 pages, 698 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Turning Garlic into a Modern Crop: State of the Art and Perspectives

by Ricardo Parreño, Eva Rodríguez-Alcocer, César Martínez-Guardiola, Lucía Carrasco, Purificación Castillo, Vicent Arbona, Sara Jover-Gil and Héctor Candela

Plants 2023, 12(6), 1212; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12061212 - 7 Mar 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 7733

Abstract

Garlic is cultivated worldwide for the value of its bulbs, but its cultivation is challenged by the infertility of commercial cultivars and the accumulation of pathogens over time, which occurs as a consequence of vegetative (clonal) propagation. In this review, we summarize the state of the art of garlic genetics and genomics, highlighting recent developments that will lead to its development as a modern crop, including the restoration of sexual reproduction in some garlic strains. The set of tools available to the breeder currently includes a chromosome-scale assembly of the garlic genome and multiple transcriptome assemblies that are furthering our understanding of the molecular processes underlying important traits like the infertility, the induction of flowering and bulbing, the organoleptic properties and resistance to various pathogens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Plants for Yield, Quality, and Resistance to Diseases)

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