Consumers are increasingly seeking innovative, healthy foods rich in nutraceuticals, driving the search for new or underutilized leafy vegetables. Leaf celery (Apium graveolens L. var. secalinum Alef.), a promising candidate for new food sources, stands out from ribbed celery with its smaller size and enhanced aroma. It is gaining global interest due to its high concentration of bioactive compounds, but it is presently cultivated only on soil in restricted regions. Significant knowledge gaps still exist regarding optimal agronomic management for its hydroponic baby leaf production and post-harvest cold storage as a minimally processed product. The necessity of adopting hydroponic systems for ready-to-eat leafy salads requires specific studies on techniques and nutrient management for novel vegetables like leaf celery. This research, for the first time, investigates the feasibility of producing fresh-cut suitable leaf celery baby leaves using a hydroponic ebb-and-flow cultivation system. We studied the effects of two plant densities (615 and 947 plants m⁻²) and three nutrient solution concentrations (NS) (only water, half strength, and full strength) on leaf celery growth, yield, and postharvest quality over two growing seasons (S1: winter/spring and S2: spring/summer). The experiment included two mowings per season to test the plant's regrowth capability, with morphological, biochemical, and yield characteristics assessed after each. Leaves from the first mowing of each trial were tested via sensory analysis and evaluated for shelf-life following minimal processing and cold storage (21 days at 4 °C). This research provides essential, globally transferable data for sustainable Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) by quantifying the yield, nutritional stability, and post-harvest longevity of this novel crop across critical seasonal and resource management variables. Results showed higher total yields in S1 (5.25 kg m⁻²) compared to S2 (2.76 kg m⁻²) using the full-strength NS, with nutrient availability effects varying by season and density. The full-strength NS maximized total yield, while the half-strength NS achieved the highest NUE (35.6 g DW g−1 N in S1). Importantly, the baby leaves exhibited good vitamin and mineral content with consistent stability across growing seasons and mowings. Their sensory profile showed only minor differences between seasons, generally maintaining a good overall evaluation. Crucially, the leaves maintained a shelf-life exceeding 14 days across all tested treatments. Overall, leaf celery proved well-suited for hydroponic cultivation, yielding baby leaves with excellent shelf-life and nutritional quality, offering a viable high-value option for the fresh-cut market.
消费者越来越多地寻求富含营养药品的创新健康食品，推动了对新的或未充分利用的叶菜的寻找。叶芹菜（Apium graveolens L. var. secalinum Alef.）是一种很有前途的新食物来源，它以其较小的体积和增强的香气在肋芹菜中脱颖而出。由于其高浓度的生物活性化合物，它正在获得全球的兴趣，但目前只在限制地区的土壤上种植。显著的知识差距仍然存在关于其水培幼叶生产和收获后冷藏作为最低限度加工产品的最佳农艺管理。采用水培系统生产即食叶沙拉的必要性要求对叶芹菜等新型蔬菜的技术和营养管理进行专门的研究。本研究首次探讨了利用水培潮落栽培系统生产鲜切适叶芹菜幼叶的可行性。我们研究了两种种植密度（615株和947株m - 2）和三种营养液浓度（NS）（纯水、一半强度和全部强度）在两个生长季节（S1：冬季/春季和S2：春季/夏季）对芹菜叶片生长、产量和采后品质的影响。试验包括每季两次刈割，以测试植物的再生能力，每次刈割后评估形态、生化和产量特征。每个试验的第一次刈割的叶片通过感官分析进行测试，并在最小加工和冷藏（4°C下21天）后评估其保质期。本研究通过量化这种新型作物在关键季节和资源管理变量中的产量、营养稳定性和收获后寿命，为可持续受控环境农业（CEA）提供了重要的、全球可转移的数据。结果显示，使用全强度NS的S1 （5.25 kg m -⁻²）比S2 （2.76 kg m -⁻²）的总产量更高，营养物质的可用性随季节和密度而变化。全强度氮肥的总产量最高，而半强度氮肥的氮肥利用率最高，为35.6 g DW g−1 N。重要的是，幼叶表现出良好的维生素和矿物质含量，在整个生长季节和修剪期间都保持稳定。他们的感官特征在季节之间只有微小的差异，总体上保持良好的整体评价。至关重要的是，在所有测试处理中，叶子的保质期都超过了14天。总的来说，叶芹菜非常适合水培栽培，产生的幼叶具有良好的保质期和营养质量，为新鲜切割市场提供了可行的高价值选择。
{"title":"Suitability of Apium graveolens L. var. secalinum Alef. to hydroponic cultivation for baby leaf production","authors":"Alessandro Esposito, Filippo Vetrano, Alessandra Moncada, Eristanna Palazzolo, Caterina Lucia, Alessandro Miceli","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114619","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114619","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Consumers are increasingly seeking innovative, healthy foods rich in nutraceuticals, driving the search for new or underutilized leafy vegetables. Leaf celery (<em>Apium graveolens</em> L<em>.</em> var. <em>secalinum</em> Alef.), a promising candidate for new food sources, stands out from ribbed celery with its smaller size and enhanced aroma. It is gaining global interest due to its high concentration of bioactive compounds, but it is presently cultivated only on soil in restricted regions. Significant knowledge gaps still exist regarding optimal agronomic management for its hydroponic baby leaf production and post-harvest cold storage as a minimally processed product. The necessity of adopting hydroponic systems for ready-to-eat leafy salads requires specific studies on techniques and nutrient management for novel vegetables like leaf celery. This research, for the first time, investigates the feasibility of producing fresh-cut suitable leaf celery baby leaves using a hydroponic ebb-and-flow cultivation system. We studied the effects of two plant densities (615 and 947 plants m⁻²) and three nutrient solution concentrations (NS) (only water, half strength, and full strength) on leaf celery growth, yield, and postharvest quality over two growing seasons (S1: winter/spring and S2: spring/summer). The experiment included two mowings per season to test the plant's regrowth capability, with morphological, biochemical, and yield characteristics assessed after each. Leaves from the first mowing of each trial were tested via sensory analysis and evaluated for shelf-life following minimal processing and cold storage (21 days at 4 °C). This research provides essential, globally transferable data for sustainable Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) by quantifying the yield, nutritional stability, and post-harvest longevity of this novel crop across critical seasonal and resource management variables. Results showed higher total yields in S1 (5.25 kg m⁻²) compared to S2 (2.76 kg m⁻²) using the full-strength NS, with nutrient availability effects varying by season and density. The full-strength NS maximized total yield, while the half-strength NS achieved the highest NUE (35.6 g DW g<sup>−1</sup> N in S1). Importantly, the baby leaves exhibited good vitamin and mineral content with consistent stability across growing seasons and mowings. Their sensory profile showed only minor differences between seasons, generally maintaining a good overall evaluation. Crucially, the leaves maintained a shelf-life exceeding 14 days across all tested treatments. Overall, leaf celery proved well-suited for hydroponic cultivation, yielding baby leaves with excellent shelf-life and nutritional quality, offering a viable high-value option for the fresh-cut market.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"357 ","pages":"Article 114619"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145981938","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-16DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114614
Zhipeng Li , Shuting Gong , Xinle Jiang , Wentian Yang , Wenmei Wang , WenJun Qian , Yu Wang , Zhaotang Ding , Kai Fan
Accurate diagnosis of nitrogen status is globally crucial for precise fertilization and optimal management in tea plantations. The Nitrogen Nutrition Index (NNI) provides a robust quantitative measure of N sufficiency, yet its practical application in tea plants has been limited due to the lack of established critical nitrogen dilution curves (CNDC) and validated non‑destructive monitoring methods. To address this, this study developed a novel UAV‑based multi‑source remote sensing approach for NNI estimation in tea plants, innovatively combining LiDAR with multispectral (MS) and visible‑light (RGB) data to capture complementary structural and spectral information. Field experiments involving three tea varieties under six N treatments were conducted, and NNI estimation models were built by integrating three feature selection methods (Boruta, RFE, ElasticNet) with four machine learning algorithms (SVM, PLS, RF, GPR). The results demonstrated a significant nitrogen fertilization effect, with NNI values ranging from 0.36 to 1.16, increasing with nitrogen application. Single-source remote sensing features selected by the three algorithms exhibited the performance ranking of MS > RGB > LiDAR. Multi‑sensor feature fusion significantly outperformed single‑sensor models. The optimal model, integrating Boruta-selected MS+RGB features with GPR, achieved the highest accuracy (R2=0.7346, RMSE=0.0878, RPD=1.6987). This model provides an accurate and non‑destructive tool for field‑scale monitoring of tea nitrogen status, supporting precision fertilization that can reduce fertilizer application in tea cultivation.
{"title":"Integrating UAV multi-sensor imagery and machine learning for non-destructive estimation of nitrogen nutrition index in tea plants","authors":"Zhipeng Li , Shuting Gong , Xinle Jiang , Wentian Yang , Wenmei Wang , WenJun Qian , Yu Wang , Zhaotang Ding , Kai Fan","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114614","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114614","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurate diagnosis of nitrogen status is globally crucial for precise fertilization and optimal management in tea plantations. The Nitrogen Nutrition Index (NNI) provides a robust quantitative measure of N sufficiency, yet its practical application in tea plants has been limited due to the lack of established critical nitrogen dilution curves (CNDC) and validated non‑destructive monitoring methods. To address this, this study developed a novel UAV‑based multi‑source remote sensing approach for NNI estimation in tea plants, innovatively combining LiDAR with multispectral (MS) and visible‑light (RGB) data to capture complementary structural and spectral information. Field experiments involving three tea varieties under six N treatments were conducted, and NNI estimation models were built by integrating three feature selection methods (Boruta, RFE, ElasticNet) with four machine learning algorithms (SVM, PLS, RF, GPR). The results demonstrated a significant nitrogen fertilization effect, with NNI values ranging from 0.36 to 1.16, increasing with nitrogen application. Single-source remote sensing features selected by the three algorithms exhibited the performance ranking of MS > RGB > LiDAR. Multi‑sensor feature fusion significantly outperformed single‑sensor models. The optimal model, integrating Boruta-selected MS+RGB features with GPR, achieved the highest accuracy (R<sup>2</sup>=0.7346, RMSE=0.0878, RPD=1.6987). This model provides an accurate and non‑destructive tool for field‑scale monitoring of tea nitrogen status, supporting precision fertilization that can reduce fertilizer application in tea cultivation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"357 ","pages":"Article 114614"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145981936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-16DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114634
Sara Álvarez , Pablo Garcia-Estringana , Abel Barrios , Jesús Alegre , Lidia Núñez , Laura Salcedo , Hugo Martín , Eduardo Fernández-Suela , Noelia Ramírez-Martín , José Manuel Mirás-Avalos
Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) is a crop with a high economic importance that is expanding in the Mediterranean basin. Understanding how pistachio growth stages vary with environmental conditions is crucial because decisions about irrigation, fertilization, and pest control must align with tree physiological needs at each stage. However, a description of the phenological stages of pistachio is lacking in the areas covered by this study. In this study, the growth of the fruit and kernel were measured in three pistachio cultivars: ‘Kerman’, ‘Golden Hills’ and ‘Lost Hills’ in six plots located in central Spain to establish predictive models based on heat accumulation. The growing degree days (GDD) necessary to reach 90% full fruit area were similar for the three cultivars, around 450 GDD. In contrast, the thermal units required to reach 90% of full kernel area and length differed among cultivars: ‘Kerman’ had the highest needs, while ‘Lost Hills’ had the lowest. Fruit dry weight started at 200 GDD and continued until 2000 GDD, whereas kernel area started its expansion at 900 and continued until 2000 GDD. These findings suggest that deficit irrigation could be applied between 450 and 900 GDD, without compromising pistachio yield. A model previously proposed in California underestimated both fruit volume and kernel length when applied to our calibration dataset. Conversely, the model calibrated in the current work performed better and can be considered satisfactory for assessing kernel length and fruit volume as a function of cumulative GDD. These results provide essential insights into the phenological development of pistachio growing in cold-winter regions, aiding farmers to take informed decisions for an efficient orchard management.
{"title":"Modeling heat requirements for fruit development in three pistachio cultivars in central Spain","authors":"Sara Álvarez , Pablo Garcia-Estringana , Abel Barrios , Jesús Alegre , Lidia Núñez , Laura Salcedo , Hugo Martín , Eduardo Fernández-Suela , Noelia Ramírez-Martín , José Manuel Mirás-Avalos","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114634","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114634","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pistachio (<em>Pistacia vera</em> L.) is a crop with a high economic importance that is expanding in the Mediterranean basin. Understanding how pistachio growth stages vary with environmental conditions is crucial because decisions about irrigation, fertilization, and pest control must align with tree physiological needs at each stage. However, a description of the phenological stages of pistachio is lacking in the areas covered by this study. In this study, the growth of the fruit and kernel were measured in three pistachio cultivars: ‘Kerman’, ‘Golden Hills’ and ‘Lost Hills’ in six plots located in central Spain to establish predictive models based on heat accumulation. The growing degree days (GDD) necessary to reach 90% full fruit area were similar for the three cultivars, around 450 GDD. In contrast, the thermal units required to reach 90% of full kernel area and length differed among cultivars: ‘Kerman’ had the highest needs, while ‘Lost Hills’ had the lowest. Fruit dry weight started at 200 GDD and continued until 2000 GDD, whereas kernel area started its expansion at 900 and continued until 2000 GDD. These findings suggest that deficit irrigation could be applied between 450 and 900 GDD, without compromising pistachio yield. A model previously proposed in California underestimated both fruit volume and kernel length when applied to our calibration dataset. Conversely, the model calibrated in the current work performed better and can be considered satisfactory for assessing kernel length and fruit volume as a function of cumulative GDD. These results provide essential insights into the phenological development of pistachio growing in cold-winter regions, aiding farmers to take informed decisions for an efficient orchard management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"357 ","pages":"Article 114634"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145981937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
China is the world's largest producer of citrus fruits. However, soil acidification and irrational copper (Cu) application in citrus orchards frequently induce Cu toxicity, restricting the sustainable development of the citrus industry. Studies have shown that silicon (Si) fertilization effectively mitigates the toxicity of heavy metals. However, research on Si-mediated alleviation of Cu toxicity in citrus species remains limited. In the present study, sand-cultured seedlings of sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L) Osbeck Cv. Xuegan] were subjected to eight treatments containing 2 Cu concentrations (0.5 μM and 300 μM) and 4 Si concentrations (0, 1, 3, and 5 mM). The effects of those treatments on biomass accumulation, Cu and Si distribution, root architecture, nutrient uptake, leaf photosynthetic performance and antioxidant systems were investigated to reveal the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying Si-mediated alleviation of Cu toxicity in C. sinensis seedlings. The present results verified that supplementation with Si at an optimal level promoted C. sinensis Cu tolerance by decreasing Cu translocation, maintaining nutrient homeostasis, improving photosynthetic performance, and activating the antioxidant defense in C. sinensis. Overall, the present results indicated that 3 mM Si is more beneficial against 300 μM Cu stress in C. sinensis seedlings. The results identified the benefits of Si in woody plants and will provide a necessary reference for Cu detoxification in acidified citrus orchards of South China.
{"title":"Silicon mitigates copper toxicity of Citrus sinensis (L.) by improving nutrient status, root development, photosynthetic performance and antioxidant response","authors":"Zeng-Rong Huang, Wenqing Shi, Xing Xiong, Yu Zhou, Fei Lu, Faxin Li, Yu Chen, Ningwei Lai, Li-Song Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114622","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114622","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>China is the world's largest producer of citrus fruits. However, soil acidification and irrational copper (Cu) application in citrus orchards frequently induce Cu toxicity, restricting the sustainable development of the citrus industry. Studies have shown that silicon (Si) fertilization effectively mitigates the toxicity of heavy metals. However, research on Si-mediated alleviation of Cu toxicity in citrus species remains limited. In the present study, sand-cultured seedlings of sweet orange [<em>Citrus sinensis</em> (L) Osbeck Cv. Xuegan] were subjected to eight treatments containing 2 Cu concentrations (0.5 μM and 300 μM) and 4 Si concentrations (0, 1, 3, and 5 mM). The effects of those treatments on biomass accumulation, Cu and Si distribution, root architecture, nutrient uptake, leaf photosynthetic performance and antioxidant systems were investigated to reveal the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying Si-mediated alleviation of Cu toxicity in <em>C. sinensis</em> seedlings. The present results verified that supplementation with Si at an optimal level promoted C. sinensis Cu tolerance by decreasing Cu translocation, maintaining nutrient homeostasis, improving photosynthetic performance, and activating the antioxidant defense in <em>C. sinensis</em>. Overall, the present results indicated that 3 mM Si is more beneficial against 300 μM Cu stress in <em>C. sinensis</em> seedlings. The results identified the benefits of Si in woody plants and will provide a necessary reference for Cu detoxification in acidified citrus orchards of South China.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"356 ","pages":"Article 114622"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145962096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-15DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114616
Xiaoqiang Liu , Fuquan Lv , Xiaoshu Pan , Ying Qu , Lei Shi , Shuai He , Fucang Zhang , Feihu Yin
<div><div>Understanding the nutritional status and photosynthetic performance of orchard crops under different irrigation and fertilization regimes is crucial for optimizing vegetative growth and promoting fruit development. To address this, the present study aimed to explore the relationships among growth indicators, photosynthetic parameters (photosynthetic rate: Pn, stomatal conductance: g<sub>s</sub>, transpiration rate: Tr, instantaneous water use efficiency: WUE<sub>i</sub>), nutrients uptake (total nitrogen: N, total phosphorus: P, total potassium: K), and fruit development and weight based on structural equation modeling (SEM) under varied irrigation and fertilization treatments, and develop the appropriate irrigation and fertilization management strategy for sustainable winter jujube production in plastic shed. A two-year field experiment on winter jujube irrigation and fertilization management was conducted in southern Xinjiang, China, during 2023 and 2024, involving 16 drip-fertigation treatments. Treatments were as follows: four irrigation amounts (W<sub>1</sub>: 60% ETc, W<sub>2</sub>: 80% ETc, W<sub>3</sub>: 100% ET<sub>C</sub>, and W<sub>4</sub>: 120% ETc) and four fertilization rates (N-P-K, F<sub>1</sub>: 192-96-150 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>, F<sub>2</sub>: 256-128-200 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>, F<sub>3</sub>: 320-160-250 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>, and F<sub>4</sub>: 384-192-300 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>). Results indicated that W<sub>2</sub> improved the N content of stems, leaves and fruits compared with W<sub>1</sub>. The F<sub>3</sub> could increase the P content and K content of fruits. The Tr was more sensitive to water and fertilizer than the Pn, resulting higher the WUE<sub>i</sub>. Irrigation and fertilization had extremely significant effects on pruning amounts (<em>P</em> < 0.01), while the relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) exhibited a decreasing tendency as the irrigation amount increased. The W<sub>2</sub>F<sub>2</sub> could inhibit excessive vegetative growth while promoting fruit development. Moreover, the Logistic equation fitting for fruit volume revealed that the start time (<em>t</em><sub>1</sub>) of the rapid fruit volume accumulation period range from 55.47 to 71.59 days after flowering (DAF), and the end time (<em>t</em><sub>2</sub>) of the rapid fruit volume accumulation period range from 82.96 to 114.17 DAF in both years. The fresh fruit weight increased and then declined with the increase of fertilization rates. The SEM analysis revealed that the N content was the primary influencing factor for fruit volume and weight, with standardized path coefficient of 0.836 and 0.715, respectively (both <em>P</em> < 0.05). Additionally, growth indicators (e.g., new shoot length) exerted an indirect negative effect on fresh fruit weight. Collectively, irrigation and fertilizer can promote vegetative growth and fruit development of winter jujube by enhancing photosynthetic capacity and nutrient uptake, highlighting their critical role in
了解不同灌溉和施肥制度下果园作物的营养状况和光合性能对优化营养生长和促进果实发育具有重要意义。为解决这一问题，本研究旨在探讨生长指标、光合参数（光合速率：Pn、气孔导度：gs、蒸腾速率：Tr、瞬时水分利用效率：WUEi）、养分吸收(全氮：N、全磷：P、全钾：基于结构方程模型（SEM）对不同水肥处理下冬枣果实发育和质量的影响，制定适宜的水肥管理策略，实现塑料大棚冬枣可持续生产。于2023年和2024年在南疆地区进行了为期两年的冬枣灌溉施肥管理田间试验，共16个滴灌施肥处理。处理为4种灌水量（W1: 60%等，W2: 80%等，W3: 100%等，W4: 120%等）和4种施肥水平（N-P-K, F1: 192 ~ 96 ~ 150 kg ha -1, F2: 256 ~ 128 ~ 200 kg ha -1, F3: 320 ~ 160 ~ 250 kg ha -1, F4: 384 ~ 192 ~ 300 kg ha -1）。结果表明，与W1相比，W2提高了茎秆、叶片和果实的氮含量。F3能提高果实的磷、钾含量。Tr对水肥比Pn更敏感，导致WUEi更高。灌溉和施肥对剪枝量的影响极显著（P < 0.01），而相对叶绿素含量（SPAD）随灌水量的增加呈下降趋势。W2F2在促进果实发育的同时抑制营养生长过度。果实体积的Logistic方程拟合结果表明，两年内果实体积快速积累期的开始时间（t1）为开花后55.47 ~ 71.59天，果实体积快速积累期的结束时间（t2）为82.96 ~ 114.17天。鲜果重随施肥量的增加先上升后下降。SEM分析显示，氮含量是影响果实体积和重量的主要因素，其标准化通径系数分别为0.836和0.715 （P < 0.05）。此外，生长指标（如新梢长）对鲜果重有间接的负影响。综上所述，灌溉和施肥可以通过提高冬枣的光合能力和养分吸收来促进冬枣的营养生长和果实发育，突出了它们在冬枣栽培中的关键作用。
{"title":"Irrigation and fertilization improved vegetative growth and fruit development of winter jujube in plastic shed production through enhanced photosynthetic capacity and nutrient uptake","authors":"Xiaoqiang Liu , Fuquan Lv , Xiaoshu Pan , Ying Qu , Lei Shi , Shuai He , Fucang Zhang , Feihu Yin","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114616","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114616","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding the nutritional status and photosynthetic performance of orchard crops under different irrigation and fertilization regimes is crucial for optimizing vegetative growth and promoting fruit development. To address this, the present study aimed to explore the relationships among growth indicators, photosynthetic parameters (photosynthetic rate: Pn, stomatal conductance: g<sub>s</sub>, transpiration rate: Tr, instantaneous water use efficiency: WUE<sub>i</sub>), nutrients uptake (total nitrogen: N, total phosphorus: P, total potassium: K), and fruit development and weight based on structural equation modeling (SEM) under varied irrigation and fertilization treatments, and develop the appropriate irrigation and fertilization management strategy for sustainable winter jujube production in plastic shed. A two-year field experiment on winter jujube irrigation and fertilization management was conducted in southern Xinjiang, China, during 2023 and 2024, involving 16 drip-fertigation treatments. Treatments were as follows: four irrigation amounts (W<sub>1</sub>: 60% ETc, W<sub>2</sub>: 80% ETc, W<sub>3</sub>: 100% ET<sub>C</sub>, and W<sub>4</sub>: 120% ETc) and four fertilization rates (N-P-K, F<sub>1</sub>: 192-96-150 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>, F<sub>2</sub>: 256-128-200 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>, F<sub>3</sub>: 320-160-250 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>, and F<sub>4</sub>: 384-192-300 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>). Results indicated that W<sub>2</sub> improved the N content of stems, leaves and fruits compared with W<sub>1</sub>. The F<sub>3</sub> could increase the P content and K content of fruits. The Tr was more sensitive to water and fertilizer than the Pn, resulting higher the WUE<sub>i</sub>. Irrigation and fertilization had extremely significant effects on pruning amounts (<em>P</em> < 0.01), while the relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) exhibited a decreasing tendency as the irrigation amount increased. The W<sub>2</sub>F<sub>2</sub> could inhibit excessive vegetative growth while promoting fruit development. Moreover, the Logistic equation fitting for fruit volume revealed that the start time (<em>t</em><sub>1</sub>) of the rapid fruit volume accumulation period range from 55.47 to 71.59 days after flowering (DAF), and the end time (<em>t</em><sub>2</sub>) of the rapid fruit volume accumulation period range from 82.96 to 114.17 DAF in both years. The fresh fruit weight increased and then declined with the increase of fertilization rates. The SEM analysis revealed that the N content was the primary influencing factor for fruit volume and weight, with standardized path coefficient of 0.836 and 0.715, respectively (both <em>P</em> < 0.05). Additionally, growth indicators (e.g., new shoot length) exerted an indirect negative effect on fresh fruit weight. Collectively, irrigation and fertilizer can promote vegetative growth and fruit development of winter jujube by enhancing photosynthetic capacity and nutrient uptake, highlighting their critical role in ","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"357 ","pages":"Article 114616"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145963373","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-15DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114618
Zhu Gao , Dan Zhang , Jipeng Mao , Yukun Zhu , Dongliang Yao , Mengfei Lin , Liuyi Pan , Xiaoling Wang , Lu Chen
As a high-value fruit, kiwifruit’s quality characteristics are jointly influenced by cultivar and production environment. However, current issues in China’s main production regions, such as a narrow cultivar structure and insufficient regional distinctiveness, highlight the urgent need for systematic evaluation of quality differences among cultivars to guide industrial optimization. This study investigated 32 commercially cultivated kiwifruit varieties grown in same climatic region, conducting statistical analysis and comprehensive evaluation on 20 quality indicators encompassing fruit appearance, flavor, and nutritional attributes. The results revealed significant differences in fruit quality both between and within species. Objective evaluation methods (membership function principal component analysis, and entropy weight) and a combined subjective-objective approach (entropy weighted-analytic hierarchy process, EW-AHP) were employed to establish comprehensive fruit quality evaluation models. Among these, the EW-AHP model exhibited the highest consistency with sensory evaluations, confirming its reliability. According to the EW-AHP model, ‘Hongyang’, ‘Fenghuang 1′, and ‘Cuiyu’ ranked highest due to their high sugar and low acid content, securing the top three positions. Seven other cultivars—‘Donghong’, ‘Hongshi 2′, ‘Huayou’, ‘Qihong’, ‘Lushanxiang’, ‘Yunhai 1′, and ‘Cuixiang’—also ranked within the top ten owing to their superior flavor and nutritional profiles. In contrast, cultivars such as ‘Jintao’, despite their appealing appearance, scored lower in comprehensive evaluation due to their high acidity. The proposed EW-AHP method effectively mitigates biases inherent in single evaluation approaches, providing a scientific basis for regional cultivar selection and precise alignment with consumer markets. This study holds significant implications for advancing the high-quality development of the kiwifruit industry.
{"title":"Optimizing kiwifruit cultivar selection through integrated quality evaluation: An entropy weighted-analytic hierarchy process approach for balancing biochemical and sensory attributes","authors":"Zhu Gao , Dan Zhang , Jipeng Mao , Yukun Zhu , Dongliang Yao , Mengfei Lin , Liuyi Pan , Xiaoling Wang , Lu Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114618","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114618","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As a high-value fruit, kiwifruit’s quality characteristics are jointly influenced by cultivar and production environment. However, current issues in China’s main production regions, such as a narrow cultivar structure and insufficient regional distinctiveness, highlight the urgent need for systematic evaluation of quality differences among cultivars to guide industrial optimization. This study investigated 32 commercially cultivated kiwifruit varieties grown in same climatic region, conducting statistical analysis and comprehensive evaluation on 20 quality indicators encompassing fruit appearance, flavor, and nutritional attributes. The results revealed significant differences in fruit quality both between and within species. Objective evaluation methods (membership function principal component analysis, and entropy weight) and a combined subjective-objective approach (entropy weighted-analytic hierarchy process, EW-AHP) were employed to establish comprehensive fruit quality evaluation models. Among these, the EW-AHP model exhibited the highest consistency with sensory evaluations, confirming its reliability. According to the EW-AHP model, ‘Hongyang’, ‘Fenghuang 1′, and ‘Cuiyu’ ranked highest due to their high sugar and low acid content, securing the top three positions. Seven other cultivars—‘Donghong’, ‘Hongshi 2′, ‘Huayou’, ‘Qihong’, ‘Lushanxiang’, ‘Yunhai 1′, and ‘Cuixiang’—also ranked within the top ten owing to their superior flavor and nutritional profiles. In contrast, cultivars such as ‘Jintao’, despite their appealing appearance, scored lower in comprehensive evaluation due to their high acidity. The proposed EW-AHP method effectively mitigates biases inherent in single evaluation approaches, providing a scientific basis for regional cultivar selection and precise alignment with consumer markets. This study holds significant implications for advancing the high-quality development of the kiwifruit industry.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"357 ","pages":"Article 114618"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145963415","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-15DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114613
Zhu Li , Xupeng Zeng , Yue Chen , Huihuang Shi , Biting Shao , Rui Gong , Zhongjing Li
Nectarine (Prunus persica L.) is a popular economic fruit, but flesh browning during low-temperature cold storage severely limits its storage period and commercial value, with existing studies on pre-harvest chitosan treatment focusing on single metabolic pathways. This study explored the regulatory effect and mechanism of pre-harvest 1.5 g/L chitosan spraying (4 times, 7-day interval) combined with (0±0.5)°C cold storage on 'Zhongyou No.4′ nectarine browning. Results showed the treatment delayed browning onset from week 2 to 3, reduced browning index, and maintained fruit quality. Mechanistically, it synergistically regulated multiple metabolic pathways: preserving mitochondrial function for energy supply, balancing mineral elements (K, Ca, B) to stabilize cell structure, inhibiting cell wall-degrading enzymes, maintaining sucrose-hexose balance, and enhancing ROS scavenging capacity. This work fills the gap of multi-metabolic network regulation research, providing a safe and effective technical and theoretical basis for nectarine cold storage preservation.
{"title":"Regulation of nectarine flesh browning through pre-harvest application of chitosan coatings","authors":"Zhu Li , Xupeng Zeng , Yue Chen , Huihuang Shi , Biting Shao , Rui Gong , Zhongjing Li","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114613","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114613","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nectarine (<em>Prunus persica</em> L.) is a popular economic fruit, but flesh browning during low-temperature cold storage severely limits its storage period and commercial value, with existing studies on pre-harvest chitosan treatment focusing on single metabolic pathways. This study explored the regulatory effect and mechanism of pre-harvest 1.5 g/L chitosan spraying (4 times, 7-day interval) combined with (0±0.5)°C cold storage on 'Zhongyou No.4′ nectarine browning. Results showed the treatment delayed browning onset from week 2 to 3, reduced browning index, and maintained fruit quality. Mechanistically, it synergistically regulated multiple metabolic pathways: preserving mitochondrial function for energy supply, balancing mineral elements (K, Ca, B) to stabilize cell structure, inhibiting cell wall-degrading enzymes, maintaining sucrose-hexose balance, and enhancing ROS scavenging capacity. This work fills the gap of multi-metabolic network regulation research, providing a safe and effective technical and theoretical basis for nectarine cold storage preservation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"356 ","pages":"Article 114613"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145956653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-15DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114623
Runmei He , Junwei Liu , Tingting Xie , Shishi Luo , Yuanyuan Wang , Changqing Pang , Hui Xia , Honghong Deng
Huanglongbing (HLB) is a devastating disease threating global citrus production, yet the role of intraspecific metabolic and genetic diversity in host resistance breeding remains largely unexplored. This study conducted a breeding-oriented evaluation of 216 mandarin (Citrus reticulata) accessions by integrating leaf volatile profiling and start codon targeted (SCoT) polymorphism genotyping. Leaf volatile profiling identified 121 metabolites, predominantly monoterpenes (14.9–94.9%) and sesquiterpenes (0.5–75.8%). Total volatile content varied up to 12.5-fold among cultivars, with the hybrid Calamondin exhibiting a distinctive sesquiterpene-rich chemotype dominated by germacrene D (75.8%). Multivariate analyses distinguished mandarin groups and highlighted thymol methyl ether (4.8–9.5%) as a potential antimicrobial biomarker associated with HLB tolerance. SCoT markers revealed high genetic diversity (82.1% polymorphism), and a significant correlation between genotype and metabolite profiles was observed (Mantel test: R = 0.314, P < 0.0001). Multiple regression identified specific SCoT loci (e.g., Sp14–1) significantly associated with key volatiles, providing potential targets for marker-assisted selection. Our work establishes a transferable dual-omics framework that not only advances understanding of mandarin biodiversity but also provides a directly applicable strategy for accelerating the development of HLB-resistant cultivars, with significant implications for sustainable citrus production worldwide.
黄龙病是威胁全球柑橘生产的一种毁灭性病害，但种内代谢和遗传多样性在寄主抗性育种中的作用尚未得到充分研究。采用叶片挥发性分析和起始密码子靶向（SCoT）多态性基因分型相结合的方法，对216份柑桔（Citrus reticulata）材料进行了选育评价。叶片挥发性分析鉴定出121种代谢物，主要是单萜（14.9-94.9%）和倍半萜（0.5-75.8%）。不同品种间总挥发物含量差异高达12.5倍，其中杂合菖蒲素表现出独特的富含倍半萜的化学型，主要为革蕊烯D（75.8%）。多变量分析区分了柑橘组，并强调百里酚甲基醚（4.8-9.5%）是与HLB耐受性相关的潜在抗菌生物标志物。SCoT标记显示出较高的遗传多样性（多态性为82.1%），基因型与代谢物谱存在显著相关性（Mantel检验：R = 0.314, P < 0.0001）。多元回归确定了与关键挥发物显著相关的特定SCoT位点（如Sp14-1），为标记辅助选择提供了潜在靶点。我们的工作建立了一个可转移的双组学框架，不仅促进了对柑橘生物多样性的理解，而且为加速开发抗hlb品种提供了直接适用的策略，对全球柑橘可持续生产具有重要意义。
{"title":"Linking genetic and chemical diversity in mandarin germplasm: Implications for taxonomy and Huanglongbing resistance breeding","authors":"Runmei He , Junwei Liu , Tingting Xie , Shishi Luo , Yuanyuan Wang , Changqing Pang , Hui Xia , Honghong Deng","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114623","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114623","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Huanglongbing (HLB) is a devastating disease threating global citrus production, yet the role of intraspecific metabolic and genetic diversity in host resistance breeding remains largely unexplored. This study conducted a breeding-oriented evaluation of 216 mandarin (<em>Citrus reticulata</em>) accessions by integrating leaf volatile profiling and start codon targeted (SCoT) polymorphism genotyping. Leaf volatile profiling identified 121 metabolites, predominantly monoterpenes (14.9–94.9%) and sesquiterpenes (0.5–75.8%). Total volatile content varied up to 12.5-fold among cultivars, with the hybrid Calamondin exhibiting a distinctive sesquiterpene-rich chemotype dominated by germacrene D (75.8%). Multivariate analyses distinguished mandarin groups and highlighted thymol methyl ether (4.8–9.5%) as a potential antimicrobial biomarker associated with HLB tolerance. SCoT markers revealed high genetic diversity (82.1% polymorphism), and a significant correlation between genotype and metabolite profiles was observed (Mantel test: <em>R</em> = 0.314, <em>P</em> < 0.0001). Multiple regression identified specific SCoT loci (e.g., Sp14–1) significantly associated with key volatiles, providing potential targets for marker-assisted selection. Our work establishes a transferable dual-omics framework that not only advances understanding of mandarin biodiversity but also provides a directly applicable strategy for accelerating the development of HLB-resistant cultivars, with significant implications for sustainable citrus production worldwide.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"356 ","pages":"Article 114623"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145962153","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-10DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114615
Linsen Yan , Xing Shen , Zhanyi He , Jie Li , Lele Yang , Zhongping Chai
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of potassium fertilizer on the cold resistance of Korla fragrant pear trees and to determine the optimal application rate. A field experiment was conducted on 7–8-year-old pear trees under drip irrigation, using four potassium fertilization treatments: K0 (0 kg/hm2), K75 (75 kg/hm2), K150 (150 kg/hm2), and K225 (225 kg/hm2). Cold resistance indices of current-year shoots and perennial branches were assessed across different growth stages. Correlation analyses were performed among potassium application rates, mineral nutrient contents, and cold resistance indices. Compared with the control (K0), the low-rate treatment (K75) had no significant effect on cold resistance indices but significantly increased Ca and Mg contents in branches. The medium-rate treatment (K150) significantly enhanced the contents of N, P, K, Fe, Mn, and Cu, increased proline concentration, and promoted the activities of SOD, POD, and CAT enzymes. MDA content and relative conductivity were significantly reduced, and fruit yield was notably improved. In contrast, the high-rate treatment (K225) inhibited Ca and Mg accumulation but also enhanced enzymatic activity (SOD during fruit expansion, POD and CAT during ripening). It also significantly reduced MDA and relative conductivity during fruit expansion, ripening, and dormancy. Significant positive correlations were observed between potassium rates and the concentrations of N, P, K, and Mn, and strong correlations were found between mineral nutrients, cold resistance, and yield. An application rate of 150 kg/hm2 potassium under drip irrigation was found to be optimal, significantly enhancing cold resistance, improving mineral nutrient status, and increasing both tree vitality and yield in Korla fragrant pear production.
{"title":"Effects of potassium fertilization on cold resistance in Korla fragrant pear","authors":"Linsen Yan , Xing Shen , Zhanyi He , Jie Li , Lele Yang , Zhongping Chai","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114615","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114615","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to evaluate the effect of potassium fertilizer on the cold resistance of Korla fragrant pear trees and to determine the optimal application rate. A field experiment was conducted on 7–8-year-old pear trees under drip irrigation, using four potassium fertilization treatments: K0 (0 kg/hm<sup>2</sup>), K75 (75 kg/hm<sup>2</sup>), K150 (150 kg/hm<sup>2</sup>), and K225 (225 kg/hm<sup>2</sup>). Cold resistance indices of current-year shoots and perennial branches were assessed across different growth stages. Correlation analyses were performed among potassium application rates, mineral nutrient contents, and cold resistance indices. Compared with the control (K0), the low-rate treatment (K75) had no significant effect on cold resistance indices but significantly increased Ca and Mg contents in branches. The medium-rate treatment (K150) significantly enhanced the contents of N, P, K, Fe, Mn, and Cu, increased proline concentration, and promoted the activities of SOD, POD, and CAT enzymes. MDA content and relative conductivity were significantly reduced, and fruit yield was notably improved. In contrast, the high-rate treatment (K225) inhibited Ca and Mg accumulation but also enhanced enzymatic activity (SOD during fruit expansion, POD and CAT during ripening). It also significantly reduced MDA and relative conductivity during fruit expansion, ripening, and dormancy. Significant positive correlations were observed between potassium rates and the concentrations of N, P, K, and Mn, and strong correlations were found between mineral nutrients, cold resistance, and yield. An application rate of 150 kg/hm<sup>2</sup> potassium under drip irrigation was found to be optimal, significantly enhancing cold resistance, improving mineral nutrient status, and increasing both tree vitality and yield in Korla fragrant pear production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"356 ","pages":"Article 114615"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145928969","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114611
Yali Li , Qian Ma , Wenxia Deng , Hao Chu , Yu Tang , Xujie He , Jia Tang , Yamei Ren , Xiaolin Ren , Yuduan Ding
Thirteen high-quality apple cultivars with maturation periods spanning from September to November, cultivated in the Loess Plateau region of China, were selected as the focus of this study. A comprehensive investigation was conducted to evaluate changes in quality attributes from pre-harvest to post-harvest storage, along with the underlying physiological and biochemical mechanisms. The optimal harvest period was determined based on the stabilization of key maturity indicators, including firmness, soluble solids content, starch content, and titratable acidity. Storage quality varied considerably among the cultivars. ‘Aztec Fuji’, ‘Ruixianghong’, ‘Scilate’, and ‘Cripps Pink’ exhibited the slowest softening rates and the highest storage potential, with firmness decline negatively correlated with starch and protopectin content. Using a multidimensional value theory, the sensory evaluation results were comprehensively analyzed to determine the optimal edibility time. As ‘Qincui’ should be harvested between 147 and 155 days after flowering and marketed around 120 days after storage at 0 ± 0.5°C to achieve optimal flavor. Soluble sugars, organic acids, and free amino acids contribute to flavor development, with certain cultivars exhibiting similar sensory characteristics as determined by electronic tongue analysis. In addition, ‘Shinano Gold’ and ‘Scilate’ demonstrated low browning susceptibility, making them suitable for processing. ‘Yanfu 10’, although prone to browning, contained high levels of antioxidant polyphenols such as chlorogenic acid. This study offers practical guidance on cultivar selection, harvest, and storage strategies to enhance apple quality and marketability.
{"title":"A comprehensive study on the fruit quality of multiple apple cultivars during harvest and post-harvest","authors":"Yali Li , Qian Ma , Wenxia Deng , Hao Chu , Yu Tang , Xujie He , Jia Tang , Yamei Ren , Xiaolin Ren , Yuduan Ding","doi":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114611","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scienta.2026.114611","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Thirteen high-quality apple cultivars with maturation periods spanning from September to November, cultivated in the Loess Plateau region of China, were selected as the focus of this study. A comprehensive investigation was conducted to evaluate changes in quality attributes from pre-harvest to post-harvest storage, along with the underlying physiological and biochemical mechanisms. The optimal harvest period was determined based on the stabilization of key maturity indicators, including firmness, soluble solids content, starch content, and titratable acidity. Storage quality varied considerably among the cultivars. ‘Aztec Fuji’, ‘Ruixianghong’, ‘Scilate’, and ‘Cripps Pink’ exhibited the slowest softening rates and the highest storage potential, with firmness decline negatively correlated with starch and protopectin content. Using a multidimensional value theory, the sensory evaluation results were comprehensively analyzed to determine the optimal edibility time. As ‘Qincui’ should be harvested between 147 and 155 days after flowering and marketed around 120 days after storage at 0 ± 0.5°C to achieve optimal flavor. Soluble sugars, organic acids, and free amino acids contribute to flavor development, with certain cultivars exhibiting similar sensory characteristics as determined by electronic tongue analysis. In addition, ‘Shinano Gold’ and ‘Scilate’ demonstrated low browning susceptibility, making them suitable for processing. ‘Yanfu 10’, although prone to browning, contained high levels of antioxidant polyphenols such as chlorogenic acid. This study offers practical guidance on cultivar selection, harvest, and storage strategies to enhance apple quality and marketability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21679,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Horticulturae","volume":"356 ","pages":"Article 114611"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145928967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号