Correlation Analysis of High-Throughput Fruit Phenomics and Biochemical Profiles in Native Peppers (Capsicum spp.) from the Primary Center of Diversification

The main goal of this work was to investigate the relationship between the fruit morphology and biochemical composition of peppers (Capsicum spp.). For that purpose, one hundred native varieties from the Andean region, where the genus Capsicum has its origin, were analysed for different phytochemical compounds. In addition, pepper fruits were assessed with the highly precise phenomics tool Tomato Analyzer. The collection showed a broad variability which was more evident within the C. annuum group. On average, C. frutescens accessions displayed the highest levels of solid soluble content, pH, polyphenols and antioxidant activity. The Tomato Analyzer descriptors under the categories of size, shape index, and latitudinal section, mostly contributed to the variance among Capsicum groups. C. annuum hold the larger fruits, whereas C. frutescens comprised fruits of smaller sizes. The correlation analysis revealed that biochemical traits were negatively correlated with the fruit parameters related to size, suggesting that huger fruits contain lower amounts of chemical metabolites. The multivariate approximations demonstrated that Andean peppers assorted according to morphometric and colorimetric characteristics, but independently of their species or geographical origin. Groups of valuable native varieties carrying promising traits were identified.

The fruit metric trait characterization of scarlet eggplant using the high-throughput tomato analyzer software

Scarlet eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum [L.]) is an indigenous, underutilized fruit vegetable in Africa. Preference for fruit shape and size is high among growers and consumers. Fruit metric traits are important for yield improvement. Fruit metric descriptors are important contributors to variation, phenotypic and genotypic variation, and heritability. However, the measurement of these traits is cumbersome and subjective. Forty-three accessions were evaluated in 2016 and 2017. At maturity, 5 fruits were randomly harvested from each accession, digitalized and processed using the Tomato Analyzer software. Sixteen fruit metric traits were automatically generated and submitted for analysis of variance and multivariate analysis. The accessions differed over fruit size and shape due to genetic make-up. Fruit metric trait variation among S. aethiopicum groups was less influenced by the environment. The cv. Gilo group has oblong fruits, the cv. Shum group fruits are circular and ovoid; the cv. Kumba group fruits are less circular, lobed and flattened. AE/113 (C3), FUO 1 (C1) and FUO 5 (C2) Gilo groups are promising for fruit size. There were phenotypic plasticity and overlapping for fruit metric traits between the Gilo and Shum groups due to a common genome. The Tomato Analyzer software was able to discriminate accessions based on fruit phenomic traits, and the information could be used to establish commonalities between groups.

Estimation of morphological characteristics of Rio pear orange acquired in the local trade of Alta Floresta - MT through image analysis

Citrus fruits are among the most consumed fruits by Brazilians, being grown in practically all states. Phenotyping has been associated with non-destructive optical analysis of plant characteristics, due to the use of images. The present study had the objective of estimating the morphological characteristics of Pera Rio orange fruits (Citrus sinensis) acquired in the local trade of Alta Floresta through traditional methods and using the Tomato Analyzer softwer. Measurements were made regarding length and width with the aid of a digital caliper, fruit mass using a digital precision analytical balance, total soluble solids content (ºBrix), skin thickness and height of the endocarp. The volume was also measured using the water column displacement method (VDCA), estimated diameter values with the Tomato Analyzer program, the correlation between the volumes was performed, and regression model estimates were performed based on the SigPlot program. . It was found that there was a correlation between volume estimation by the water column displacement method (VDCA) and fruit volume using the diameter estimated by the digital image (IPV), revealing that the R2 correlation coefficient was 0.80. Through the obtained results it is possible to state that the Tomato Analyzer is efficient to evaluate the volume of orange Pera Rio fruits, being able to be indicated to characterize other citrus fruits.

Tomato Phenotypic Diversity Determined by Combined Approaches of Conventional and High-Throughput Tomato Analyzer Phenotyping

Morphological variation in vegetative and fruit traits is a key determinant in unraveling phenotypic diversity. This study was designed to assess phenotypic diversity in tomatoes and examine intra- and intervarietal groups’ variability using 28 conventional descriptors (CDs) and 47 Tomato Analyzer (TA) descriptors related to plant and fruit morphometry. Comprehensive phenotyping of 150 accessions representing 21 countries discerned noticeable variability for CD vegetative traits and TA quantified fruit features, such as shape, size, and color. Hierarchical cluster analysis divided the accessions into 10 distinct classes based on fruit shape and size. Multivariate analysis was used to assess divergence in variable traits among populations. Eight principal components with an eigenvalue >1 were identified by factor analysis, which contributed 87.5% variation to the total cumulative variance with the first two components contributing 32.0% and 18.1% variance, respectively. The relationship between vegetative and fruit descriptors was explained by respective CD and TA correlation networks. There was a strong positive correlation between fruit shape and size whereas negative correlations were between fruit shape index, internal eccentricity, and proximal end shape. The combined approach of CD and TA phenotyping allowed us to unravel the phenotypic diversity of vegetative and reproductive trait variation evaluated at pre- and post-harvest stages.

Use of image analysis techniques to determine the embryo size of Senna multijuga (Rich.) seeds and its relation to germination and vigor

Semi-automatic evaluations of morphological attributes that are associated to seed germination performance such as the embryo size, have been of great interest when considering the study of image analysis techniques. The objective of this research was to evaluate the accuracy of the Tomato Analyzer software to quantify the variations on the embryo development degree of Senna multijuga seeds (Rich.) and its relationship with germination and tetrazolium tests. Seeds from four lots with different ripeness stages were X-rayed, evaluated according to the embryonic area and submitted to germination and tetrazolium tests. Results from the different parameters showed that the Tomato Analyzer(r) software is sensitive to assess the development degree of Senna multijuga seeds, when expressed by Pericarp Area parameter, but only the Area parameter was directly correlated with the physiological potential of the seed lots.

Avaliação do potencial fisiológico de sementes de soja por meio de imagens

A utilização de sementes com alto potencial fisiológico é de grande importância para agricultores, pois está, diretamente, relacionada à alta produtividade. Este estudo objetivou avaliar o desempenho de sementes de soja (cultivar CD 2737 RR) produzidas a partir de lotes com alta e baixa germinação, bem como a eficiência da análise computadorizada, pelos programas Seed Vigor Imaging System (SVIS®) e Tomato Analyzer, para identificar alterações no formato das sementes colhidas e associá-las com a germinação. As variáveis analisadas foram: altura de planta, número de vagens por planta, número de sementes por planta, grau de umidade, massa de mil sementes e produtividade. Na avaliação do vigor, utilizando-se o programa SVIS®, foram determinados o comprimento das plântulas e os índices de crescimento, uniformidade e vigor. A avaliação da morfologia das sementes pelo programa Tomato Analyzer foi realizada a partir de imagens radiográficas das sementes. Concluiu-se que a maior produtividade e o maior potencial fisiológico de sementes foram obtidos de lotes com alta germinação, em comparação com lotes de baixa germinação, em condições de casa-de-vegetação. O SVIS® mostrou-se eficiente para identificar diferenças de vigor entre os lotes e o Tomato Analyzer, por meio dos parâmetros Fruit Shape Index External 2 e Circular, para identificar, com rapidez e precisão, sementes com formato irregular, associado à baixa germinação.