Mapping and expression of genes associated with raspberry fruit ripening and softening.

QTL mapping identifies a range of underlying and unrelated genes with apparent roles in raspberry fruit ripening and softening that show characteristic developing fruit expression profiles. Fruit softening is an important agronomical trait that involves a complex interaction of plant cell processes. We have used both qualitative and quantitative scoring of fruit firmness, length, mass, and resistance to applied force to identify QTL in a raspberry mapping population.

Environmental and seasonal influences on red raspberry flavour volatiles and identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) and candidate genes.

Raspberry volatiles are important for perceptions of sensory quality, mould resistance and some have nutraceutical activities. Twelve raspberry character volatiles were quantified, 11 of them in fruit from two seasons, from plants from the Glen Moy × Latham mapping population growing in both open field and under cover (polytunnels). Effects of season and environment were examined for their impact on the content of α-ionone, α-ionol, β-ionone, β-damascenone, linalool, geraniol, benzyl alcohol, (Z)-3-hexenol, acetoin, acetic and hexanoic acids, whilst raspberry ketone was measured in one season.

Genetic and environmental effects influencing fruit colour and QTL analysis in raspberry.

Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) fruit colour was assessed in the Latham x Glen Moy mapping population using a colour meter and visual scores over three seasons and three environments. The colour measurements were found to be significantly associated with pigment content, have high heritability, and stable QTL were identified across environments and seasons. Anthocyanin content has previously been shown to be the major contributor to fruit colour in red raspberry.

Mapping QTLs for developmental traits in raspberry from bud break to ripe fruit.

Protected cropping systems have been adopted by the UK industry to improve fruit quality and extend the current season. Further manipulation of season, alongside consideration of climate change scenarios, requires an understanding of the processes controlling fruit ripening. Ripening stages were scored from May to July across different years and environments from a raspberry mapping population.

Environmental and seasonal influences on red raspberry anthocyanin antioxidant contents and identification of quantitative traits loci (QTL).

Consumption of raspberries promotes human health through intake of pharmaceutically active antioxidants, including cyanidin and pelargonidin anthocyanins; products of flavonoid metabolism and also pigments conferring colour to fruit. Raspberry anthocyanin contents could be enhanced for nutritional health and quality benefits utilising DNA polymorphisms in modern marker assisted breeding. The objective was to elucidate factors determining anthocyanin production in these fruits.

Characterisation of early transcriptional changes involving multiple signalling pathways in the Mla13 barley interaction with powdery mildew ( Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei).

Suppression subtractive hybridisation was used to isolate 21 cDNAs ( bmi1- bmi21) up-regulated 1-5 h post-inoculation (hpi) in a barley ( Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Pallas) near-isogenic line (NIL) P11 ( Mla13) challenged with either avirulent or virulent isolates of Blumeria graminis f.