Apples before the fall: Does shape stability coincide with maturity?

ABSTRACT: Fruit shape is the result of the interaction between genetic, epigenetic, environmental factors and stochastic processes. As a core biological descriptor both for taxonomy and horticulture, the point at which shape stability is reached becomes paramount in apple cultivar identification, and authentication in commerce. Twelve apple cultivars were sampled at regular intervals from anthesis to harvest over two growing seasons. Linear and geometric morphometrics were analysed to establish if and when shape stabilised and whether fruit asymmetry influenced this. Shape stability was detected in seven cultivars, four asymmetric and three symmetric. The remaining five did not stabilise. Shape stability, as defined here, is cultivar-dependent, and when it occurs, it is late in the growing season. G

SUBMITTER: Christodoulou MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10095885 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature