Open AccessEffect of floral cluster pruning on anthocyanin levels and anthocyanain-related gene expression in ‘Houman’ grape
Author(s) -
Lei Zhang,
Yanshuai Xu,
Yushan Jia,
Jiyuan Wang,
Yue Yuan,
Yang Yu,
Jianmin Tao
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
horticulture research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.947
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 2662-6810
pISSN - 2052-7276
DOI - 10.1038/hortres.2016.37
Subject(s) - biology , anthocyanin , pruning , gene , botany , horticulture , expression (computer science) , cluster (spacecraft) , genetics , computer science , programming language
Lateral floral clusters were removed from the main axis of the floral clusters of ‘Houman’ grape plants, leaving only 3–5-cm-long region of flowers at the end of the central axis. The floral clusters were pruned at 7 days prior to flowering. The effect of the pruning on fruit quality was assessed by determining the composition and levels of anthocyanins in the fruit and anthocyanin-related gene expression. Results indicated that floral cluster pruning significantly improved the quality of the fruit by increasing berry size, fruit weight and the total content of soluble solids. Floral cluster pruning also decreased the level of titratable acidity. Sixteen different anthocyanins were detected in fruit of the pruned clusters, while only 15 were detected in fruit from unpruned clusters. The level of anthocyanins was also significantly higher in fruit of the pruned clusters than in the unpruned clusters. Anthocyanin-related gene expression was also significantly upregulated to a higher level in fruit from pruned floral clusters as compared with unpruned clusters. The upregulation was closely associated with increases in anthocyanin biosynthesis.