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Characterization of Attributes Related to Fruit Size in Pomegranate

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Characterization of Attributes Related to Fruit Size in Pomegranate HORTSCIENCE 46(6):908–912. 2011. with trees of the same genotype grown under similar cultivation practices (N. Ravid, per- sonal communication). Although pomegran- Characterization of Attributes Related ates have been cultivated since antiquity, fruit attributes, particularly those related to to Fruit Size in Pomegranate size, are poorly defined. With market pre- 1 miums for large-sized fruits and producer- Hazel Y. Wetzstein targeted traits including high total aril weight University of Georgia, Department of Horticulture, 1111 Miller Plant Science and juice content, understanding fruit attributes Building, Athens, GA 30602 is essential. Recent research has addressed quantitative evaluations of pomegranate fruit Zibin Zhang characteristics, but generally, objectives have Zhejiang University, Department of Economics, Hangzhou, China been to compare genotypes for selection and breeding programs or to evaluate growth under Nadav Ravid different climatic conditions (Barone et al., Paramount Farming Company, 33141 E. Lerdo Highway, Bakersfield, CA 2001; Dafny-Yalin et al., 2010; Drogoudi et al., 93308 2005; Mars and Marrakchi, 1999; Martinez et al., 2006). Michael E. Wetzstein Despite the long history of pomegranate University of Georgia, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, culture as a fruit crop, literature is lacking on Athens, GA 30602 how fruit characteristics and components relate to changes in fruit size. Pomegranate exhibits Additional index words. Punica granatum, arils, fruit quality, factor analysis considerable phenotypic diversity in fruit size among different genotypes (Drogoudi et al., Abstract. Pomegranate fruit is valued for its juice-containing arils and is consumed and 2005; Mars and Marrakchi, 1999; Martinez marketed as whole fresh fruit, extracted arils, juice, syrup (grenadine), wine, teas, seed et al., 2006). However, the literature lacks oil, and other products. Recent consumption has rapidly increased attributable in part to evaluations of within-genotype fruit attributes reported health benefits that include efficacy against coronary heart disease, atheroscle- and how fruits change in relation to size. A rosis, cancer, hypertension, and infectious diseases. Within commercial orchards, the size number of fundamental questions related to of fruits produced can be quite variable even with trees of the same genotype grown pomegranate fruit development remain unan- under similar cultivation practices. Although pomegranates have been cultivated since swered. Unclear is how fruit composition antiquity, fruit attributes, particularly those related to size, are poorly defined. In this changes with fruit size. What characteristics study, compositional changes in pomegranate fruits of the Wonderful cultivar, including are associated with larger fruit? Do fruit volume and weight, aril weight and number, pericarp weight, seed weight, and juice/pulp components such as the proportion of aril to content, were evaluated in fruits of variable sizes. Correlations between fruit charac- pericarp and membrane content stay constant teristics were determined, and factor analysis established fruit and aril indices. Results or do they change with varying fruit size? indicated that because fruit volume, fruit weight, and total aril weight are closely Does juice content change with fruit size? correlated, any of these characteristics can be used as an indicator of fruit size. The What is more important to fruit size: increas- number of arils per fruit was highly correlated with fruit size with larger fruit containing ing aril numbers per fruit or promoting more greater numbers of arils. This is in contrast to individual average aril weight, which extensive aril enlargement? showed no significant relationship to fruit size. Crop production strategies aimed at Production strategies addressing these al- increasing aril numbers may be a means for obtaining larger fruit in pomegranate. ternative circumstances would be quite differ- ent. Understanding the fundamental aspects of fruit development that determine size would The pomegranate, Punica granatum, has tate cancer, hypertension, and infectious dis- indicate how and when size could be affected been cultivated as a fruit crop since antiquity. eases (Basu and Penugonda, 2008; Holland and specify which components can be envi- Native to central Asia, the pomegranate and et al., 2009; Lansky and Newman, 2007; ronmentally manipulated versus which are its use are deeply embedded in human history Seeram et al., 2006). fixed and under genetic control (Webb et al., with references in many ancient cultures of The pomegranate fruit is spherical, crowned 1974). Additionally, such knowledge would its use in food and medicine (Holland et al., with a persistent calyx, and covered with a be useful to breeding programs that require 2009). Pomegranate produces fruit that is leathery pericarp derived from sepals and awareness of fruit qualities in the selection of valued for its juice-containing arils, health adhering floral tissue. Developing from a traits for improvement (Leon et al., 2004). benefits, and decoration and is consumed and flower with showy crenulated petals, the hy- The objectives of this study are to evalu- marketed as whole fresh fruit, extracted arils, pogenous ovary contains a large number of ate fruit characteristics in pomegranate and to juice, syrup (grenadine), wine, teas, seed oil, ovules. Wetzstein et al. (2011) described the identify which attributes are related to size. and other products. In addition, it is used as morphology and anatomy of the flower types Fruit attributes, including fruit volume and an ingredient in an array of products ranging in pomegranate, which consist of both her- weight, aril weight and number, pericarp from cosmetics to nutritional supplements. maphrodite and functionally male flowers. weight, seed weight, and juice/pulp content, Recent consumption of pomegranates has Fruit are derived from hermaphrodite flowers, were evaluated in a collection of ‘Wonderful’ rapidly increased attributable in part to its which have a discoid stigma covered with pomegranate fruits of variable sizes. Corre- reported health benefits that include efficacy copious exudate, an elongated style, and an lations between fruit characteristics were against a wide range of conditions, including ovary with many ovules, which on fertilization determined. In addition, factor analysis was coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, pros- develop into the hundreds of succulent juice- used to establish a fruit index that can be used containing arils that make up the edible por- to select and rate fruit. tion of the fruit. Male flowers fail to set fruit Received for publication 14 Mar. 2011. Accepted and have reduced female parts characterized for publication 2 May 2011. We acknowledge Paramount Farming Company for by shortened pistils containing rudimentary, Materials and Methods field, research, and financial support, and J. Porter for degenerated ovules (Shulman et al., 1984; technical assistance. Wetzstein et al., 2011). Plant materials. Pomegranate fruits (Pun- 1To whom reprint requests should be addressed; Within commercial orchards, the size of ica granatum, Punicaceae) were harvested e-mail [email protected]. fruits produced can be quite variable, even from 8-year-old ‘Wonderful’ trees grown in 908 HORTSCIENCE VOL. 46(6) JUNE 2011 commercial orchards located near Delano, CA, Results what among fruits (Table 1) but exhibited and managed under conventional commercial less variation than whole fruit characteristics. conditions. Pomegranate trees produce flowers Mature pomegranate fruit were spherical Average weight per aril, seed weight (fresh over a several-week period. To ensure that fruit and had a glossy leathery pericarp and per- and dry), juice/pulp weight, and percent used in the study were of the same age, 100 sistent calyx (Fig. 1A). Opened fruit revealed juice/pulp were relatively stable and varied hermaphroditic flowers of the same develop- numerous juice-containing arils enclosed within 1.1- to 2.2-fold in all fruits. The mean percent mental stage, (i.e., 1 d before opening) were a leathery pericarp (Fig. 1B). Arils were tightly aril weight for all fruit was 50% of the total tagged on the same day (9 May) during the packed and had polygonal, angular surfaces fruit weight. Notable is that the percent aril early wave of bloom. Petals were red–orange resulting from the crowding of arils during weight was relatively consistent and ranged and extended beyond the sepal tips, but petals development (Fig. 1C). Pigmentation in the up to a 1.4 times difference among fruits of were not reflexed and stigmas and stamens rind was restricted to the outer surface layers. all sizes. were not visible. Fruit were not thinned. The In addition to the arils, the fruit interior con- Fruit character correlations. The corre- 48 fruit that set from these tagged flowers tained white spongy tissue (pulp or rag) and lation matrix relating the different pomegran- were harvested at maturity (11 Oct.), which membranous septal walls that separated the ate fruit characteristics is presented in Table corresponded to standard commercial maturity fruit into locules. Each aril (Fig. 1D) was 2. Five fruit characteristics were strongly criteria and harvest time. Fruit were then next- composed of an outer layer of translucent correlated: fruit volume, total fruit weight, day shipped in coolers with blue ice to the juice-containing cells that surrounded an an- total aril weight per fruit, total number of arils University
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