The effects of rootstocks on performances of three late-ripening navel orange varieties

Selection of rootstock is very important for citrus production. Besides its major role on resistance, the rootstock also can affect fruit production and quality. Currently, the main concerns on selection of rootstock for citrus production are compatibility and resistance, due to less information on the impacts of rootstock to the performance of scion varieties. This study aims to provide information on performances of navel orange varieties on different rootstocks. Three late-ripening navel orange varieties(Citrus sinensis var. Powell, Chislett and Banfield) grafted on seven rootstocks(Swingle citrumelo(C. paradisi× P. trifoliata), Carrizo citrange(C. sinensis×P. trifoliata), X639(C. reticulata×P. trifoliata), MXT(C. sinensis×P. trifoliata), Hongju(C. reticulata), Ziyang Xiangcheng(C. junos) and trifoliate orange(P. trifoliata)) were used as plant materials for comprehensive comparison of the performances on tree growth, fruit yield and quality in 21 scion–stock combinations. Investigation was carried out in these combinations in field nine years after planting. Vigorous growth of all the three late-ripening navel orange varieties was observed on Carrizo citrange with the largest canopy volume at 33.34 m3 and the highest yield at 29.43 kg per tree, but a low yield efficiency at 2.87 kg m–3. On the contrary, those on trifoliate orange had the smallest canopy volume at 10.79 m3 and the lowest fruit yield at 12.51 kg per tree, but the highest yield efficiency at 3.95 kg m–3. Rootstocks did not show significant effects on fruit size, fruit shape index, peel thickness and the edible rate of the fruits, but fruit quality was significantly affected by the rootstocks. Fruits from the trees grafted on trifoliate orange presented the best quality with significantly higher total soluble solids(TSS) content than those on Ziyang Xiangcheng and Hongju, and also the highest ratio of TSS/titratable acidity(TA). The TA content was observed from the fruits on X639 at 0.59 g 100 mL–1. Vitamin C(Vc) content of fruits on Hongju was the highest at 49.25 mg 100 mL–1. Growth vigor of the trees was positively correlated with fruit yield at an extremely significant level. The canopy volume was negatively correlated with yield efficiency, but positively correlated with compatibility index. Results of this study indicated that the rootstock has great impacts on the growth vigor of the tree, yield efficiency and quality of the fruit. In order to achieve good quality and yield efficiency for navel orange production, less growth vigor rootstock such as trifoliate orange is highly recommended.

Over-expression of GhDWF4 gene improved tomato fruit quality and accelerated fruit ripening

Brassinosteroids（BRs）, a class of steroidal phytohormones are essential for many biological processes in plant. However, little is known about their roles in fruit development. Tomato is a highly valuable vegetable and has been adopted as the model species for studying fruit growth, development, and ripening. To understand the role of endogenous BRs in the development of tomato fruit, the expression patterns of three homologues of DWF4 gene were investigated and the transgenic tomato plants were generated in which the Gh DWF4 gene from upland cotton（Gossypium hirsutum L.） was ectopically expressed. The contents of main quality components were analyzed in fruits of transgenic tomato line and non-transgenic line（control plant, CP） when the fruit was mature. Sl CYP90B3 that possesses high homology with Gh DWF4 preferentially expressed in mature fruit. Significantly higher contents of soluble sugar, soluble proteins, and vitamin C were obtained in fruit of transgenic tomato lines compared with those in the CP. Furthermore, overexpressing Gh DWF4 promoted fruit growth and ripening. The weight per fruit was increased by about 23% in transgenic lines. In addition, overexpressing Gh DWF4 promoted the germination of transgenic tomato seeds and hypocotyl elongation of seedlings. These results indicated that overexpressing Gh DWF4 gene in tomato could increase the contents of many nutrients in fruit and accelerate fruit ripening. It is suggested that increased endogenous BRs in fruit affect the growth and development of tomato fruit and therefore improved the nutrient quality of tomato.