Cuticle and skin cell walls have common and unique roles in grape berry splitting.

ABSTRACT: The skin protects a fruit from environmental stresses and supports the fruit's structure. Failure of the skin leads to fruit splitting and may compromise commercial production for fruit growers. The mechanical properties of the cuticle and skin cell walls might influence the splitting susceptibility of fleshy fruits. Thin shell theory and fracture mechanics were utilized in this study to target the potential factors contributing to splitting susceptibility. The study analyzed the structure of the cuticle and epidermis in ripening grape berries and examined the temporal dynamics of berry splitting. Cuticular waxes were partially removed, and skin cell walls were manipulated using wall stiffening and loosening solutions that altered reactions involving hydrogen peroxide. A more than twofold

SUBMITTER: Chang BM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8325674 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature