As in True Fruit, Ca Distribution in Strawberry (A False Fruit), is Determined by Progressive Xylem Dysfunction

The physiology of calcium (Ca) in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.), a pseudocarp, is likely to be affected by the loss of xylem functionality during development. The objective of this study was to test this hypothesis by quantifying fruit Ca and affecting factors. The Ca content of fruit and c...

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Main Authors: Grecia Hurtado, Kristian Pineda, Moritz Knoche
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:International Journal of Fruit Science
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15538362.2025.2453150
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author Grecia Hurtado
Kristian Pineda
Moritz Knoche
author_facet Grecia Hurtado
Kristian Pineda
Moritz Knoche
author_sort Grecia Hurtado
collection DOAJ
description The physiology of calcium (Ca) in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.), a pseudocarp, is likely to be affected by the loss of xylem functionality during development. The objective of this study was to test this hypothesis by quantifying fruit Ca and affecting factors. The Ca content of fruit and calyx increased with time. However, the Ca/dry mass ratio of the fruit decreased, whereas that of the calyx increased. Fruit Ca content and the Ca/dry mass ratio followed a normal distribution. Fruit Ca content decreased from primary to secondary to tertiary fruit, but the Ca/dry mass ratio increased. The fruit Ca content and Ca/dry mass ratio were positively and negatively correlated with fruit mass, respectively. Comparison of unripe and ripe fruits showed that the Ca/dry mass ratio increased only in the calyx, but decreased for the skin, flesh, pith, and achenes. The Ca/dry mass ratios were highest in the proximal (close to calyx) region and decreased toward the distal region. The Ca content and Ca/dry mass ratios were lowest for fruit grown at high RH as compared to ambient or low RH. The physiology of Ca in strawberry is primarily affected by the loss of xylem function during development. Hence, agronomic practices must focus on increasing Ca through foliar applications.
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spelling doaj-art-5757ff9b48494f57a2b56166271960332025-01-16T12:18:18ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Fruit Science1553-83621553-86212025-12-0125111210.1080/15538362.2025.2453150As in True Fruit, Ca Distribution in Strawberry (A False Fruit), is Determined by Progressive Xylem DysfunctionGrecia Hurtado0Kristian Pineda1Moritz Knoche2Institute for Horticultural Production Systems, Leibniz-University Hannover, Hannover, GermanyInstitute for Horticultural Production Systems, Leibniz-University Hannover, Hannover, GermanyInstitute for Horticultural Production Systems, Leibniz-University Hannover, Hannover, GermanyThe physiology of calcium (Ca) in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.), a pseudocarp, is likely to be affected by the loss of xylem functionality during development. The objective of this study was to test this hypothesis by quantifying fruit Ca and affecting factors. The Ca content of fruit and calyx increased with time. However, the Ca/dry mass ratio of the fruit decreased, whereas that of the calyx increased. Fruit Ca content and the Ca/dry mass ratio followed a normal distribution. Fruit Ca content decreased from primary to secondary to tertiary fruit, but the Ca/dry mass ratio increased. The fruit Ca content and Ca/dry mass ratio were positively and negatively correlated with fruit mass, respectively. Comparison of unripe and ripe fruits showed that the Ca/dry mass ratio increased only in the calyx, but decreased for the skin, flesh, pith, and achenes. The Ca/dry mass ratios were highest in the proximal (close to calyx) region and decreased toward the distal region. The Ca content and Ca/dry mass ratios were lowest for fruit grown at high RH as compared to ambient or low RH. The physiology of Ca in strawberry is primarily affected by the loss of xylem function during development. Hence, agronomic practices must focus on increasing Ca through foliar applications.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15538362.2025.2453150CalciumpotassiumxylemtranslocationFragaria
spellingShingle Grecia Hurtado
Kristian Pineda
Moritz Knoche
As in True Fruit, Ca Distribution in Strawberry (A False Fruit), is Determined by Progressive Xylem Dysfunction
International Journal of Fruit Science
Calcium
potassium
xylem
translocation
Fragaria
title As in True Fruit, Ca Distribution in Strawberry (A False Fruit), is Determined by Progressive Xylem Dysfunction
title_full As in True Fruit, Ca Distribution in Strawberry (A False Fruit), is Determined by Progressive Xylem Dysfunction
title_fullStr As in True Fruit, Ca Distribution in Strawberry (A False Fruit), is Determined by Progressive Xylem Dysfunction
title_full_unstemmed As in True Fruit, Ca Distribution in Strawberry (A False Fruit), is Determined by Progressive Xylem Dysfunction
title_short As in True Fruit, Ca Distribution in Strawberry (A False Fruit), is Determined by Progressive Xylem Dysfunction
title_sort as in true fruit ca distribution in strawberry a false fruit is determined by progressive xylem dysfunction
topic Calcium
potassium
xylem
translocation
Fragaria
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/15538362.2025.2453150
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