Journal of Berry Research - Volume 2, issue 2

Authors: Chiva-Blanch, Gemma | Visioli, Francesco

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: Diets in which plant foods, including berries, provide a relevant portion of caloric intake are associated with a reduced risk of certain degenerative diseases like cancer and atherosclerosis. As known, vegetables and fruits such as berries are rich in polyphenols, which are products of secondary metabolism. In the past few years, research on polyphenols has remarkably expanded and is constantly reporting interesting biological activities of these compounds. Due to the participation of oxidative processes in the onset and development of degenerative diseases, much attention has been paid to the antioxidant properties of polyphenols. Alas, the discovery of their low bioavailability …– especially when compared to the concentrations of endogenous antioxidants – is questioning the actions of polyphenols as mere antioxidants. In this review we critically discuss the current limitations of polyphenol research and we contend that, in addition to their putative antioxidant action, several biochemical and physiological processes might be influenced by polyphenols. Show more

Keywords: Polyphenols, cardiovascular disease, microbiota, biomarkers

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-2012-028

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 63-71, 2012

Authors: Josuttis, M. | Carlen, C. | Crespo, P. | Nestby, R. | Toldam-Andersen, T.B. | Dietrich, H. | Krüger, E.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The effect of four different growing locations from Stjørdal, Norway (63°36′N) to Conthey, Switzerland (46°12′N) on the composition of bioactives in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) of three genotypes (cvs Clery, Elsanta and Korona) was evaluated. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to characterize differences in bioactives between genotypes within a location. Despite harvest period and year-to-year effects, a clear clustering related to the effects of the cultivars was shown. Furthermore, PCA was able to separate locations within a cultivar due to differences in bioactive compounds and this effect was stronger than local variations by temporary weather changes or even …year-to-year effects. As a result, the northern samples had principally lower anthocyanin amounts than the southern ones and, moreover, distribution of individual anthocyanins was different. In contrast, the content of vitamin C and the antioxidant capacity (TEAC, ORAC, total phenols) was generally increased with higher latitudes calculated on a fresh weight basis. Results of proanthocyanidins and individual polyphenols detected by high performance liquid chromatography indicated that the higher contents were mainly due to tannin-related components. For all these observations, cultivars responded in general similarly. A North-South division was identified but no clear trend towards latitude could be recorded, mainly since one major impact factor for the biosynthesis of phenolics and ascorbic acid is temperature, which is altering not only by latitude, but also by the shift of the harvest period and the current weather conditions prior to harvest. In conclusion, genetic effects were generally stronger than environmental effects. Show more

Keywords: Fragaria × ananassa, anthocyanins, environment, antioxidant activity, polyphenols, vitamin C

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-2012-029

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 73-95, 2012

Authors: Ružić, Djurdjina | Vujović, Tatjana | Libiakova, Gabriela | Cerović, Radosav | Gajdošova, Alena

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) and modified Anderson's Rhododendron medium (mAN) were compared for in vitro shoot multiplication of three highbush blueberries ‘Berkeley’, ‘Bluecrop’ and ‘Goldtraube’. All media contained 0.5 mg l−1 zeatin applied either alone or combined with 0.1, 1 and 5 mg l−1 IBA. In vitro rooting was induced using mAN medium supplemented with 0.8 mg l−1 IBA and 4 g l−1 activated charcoal. The results obtained showed that mAN medium is more suitable for in vitro multiplication of the selected highbush blueberry cultivars than MS medium. Low concentration of IBA (≤1 mg l−1 …) added in zeatin-supplemented mAN medium increases shoot multiplication efficiency of highbush blueberries in vitro and can be recommended for large-scale propagation of high-quality plants. MS medium induced partial or full necrosis of stems and leaves, which was more pronounced on media containing zeatin combined with increasing concentration of IBA. Rooting capacity of shoots varied widely among the tested blueberry cultivars. The highest rooting and acclimatization rates were achieved in ‘Goldtraube’ (82.8% and 91.8% respectively), and the lowest (10% and 66.7% respectively) were in ‘Berkeley’. Show more

Keywords: Highbush blueberry, nutritive media, multiplication, rooting, acclimatization

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-2012-030

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 97-103, 2012

Authors: Bosc, Jean-Philippe | Neri, Davide | Massetani, Francesca | Bardet, Alain

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This research was carried out to assess the relationship between the architecture of strawberry plants before chilling and winter-spring fruit production in a soilless forced culture system. On 11 September 2008, trayplants of the cultivar Gariguette were placed in a heated glasshouse and either exposed to long-day photoperiodic conditions or short-day photoperiodic conditions for 53 days. In addition, plants were held 26 days under short-day photoperiodic conditions followed by 27 days of long-day photoperiodic conditions or 26 days under long-day photoperiodic conditions followed by 27 days of short-day photoperiodic conditions. Architecture prior to chilling gave indications about the first fruit …production period in winter-spring (1 March to 30 April 2009). The earliest short-day photoperiodic condition treatments produced the earliest fruits. These treatments exhibited the most developed inflorescences in the pre-chilling architectural analysis and the fewer nodes between the youngest expanded leaf and the terminal inflorescence. The plants that received 53 days of long-day photoperiodic conditions treatment had the least developed terminal inflorescence before chilling and the latest production. The architecture analysis of Gariguette trayplants could predict the earliness rank (first to last) but not the yield rank during the first harvest period. Show more

Keywords: Fragaria × ananassa, photoperiod, trayplant, soilless production, nursery

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-2012-031

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 105-111, 2012

Authors: Medina-Mínguez, J.J. | Miranda, L. | Domínguez, P. | Soria, C. | Pérez-Jiménez, R.M. | Zea, T. | Talavera, M. | Velasco, L. | Romero, F. | De Los Santos, B. | López-Aranda, J.M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: “Spain's Methyl Bromide (MB) Alternatives Project” has been developing/demonstrating alternative fumigants for methyl bromide on strawberry in Huelva since 1997. Here, we describe our research carried out between 2008 and 2010. In all the trials ‘Camarosa’ was grown under high plastic tunnels between October and the end of May every year. Field trials with the same complete randomized block design and 10–12 treatments were performed annually in two locations of Huelva (“Occifresa”-Moguer and “Cumbres Malvinas”-Palos de la Frontera.). In 2007/08 and 2008/09 the following ten treatments were applied: untreated control; MB + chloropicrin (50 : 50 w/w); sodium azide; dazomet …+ 1,3D(dichloropropene); 1,3D + chloropicrin (61 : 35 w/w); chloropicrin alone; DMDS (dimethyl disulphide) + chloropicrin; methyl iodide + chloropicrin (50 : 50 w/w); acrolein; and furfural. In 2009/10, non-chemical treatments (biosolarization) were included; in comparison with previous year, four additional treatments were applied: biosolarization with fresh poultry manure (25,000 kg/ha), biosolarization with Brassica pellets (2,000 kg/ha), sodium tethathiocarbamate and metam sodium shank-applied with Rotary Spader implement. Black root rot complex (Fusarium spp., Cylindrocarpon spp., Rhizoctonia spp., and Pythium spp.) and nematodes Meloidogyne hapla and Pratylenchus penetrans were the main phytosanitary problems related to the soil, and Macrophomina phaseolina was detected occasionally in the first two seasons. However, plant survival, fruit size and yields were optimal in both locations. In 2009/10 at “Occifresa”-Moguer a higher percentage of dead plants was evidenced, and at an earlier stage than the previous growing seasons, mainly caused by Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium oxysporum. DMDS + chloropicrin, 1,3D + chloropicrin and chloropicrin alone were as effective as MB : chloropicrin. Biosolarization with fresh chicken manure (25,000 kg/ha) showed higher production than the untreated control. Show more

Keywords: Fumigants, fungal diseases, Methyl Bromide phase-out, nematodes, production

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-2012-032

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 113-121, 2012