TITLE:
Harpin Protein Influence on Fruit Quality Attributes, Ethylene, Respiration, and Minerals in Apples
AUTHORS:
Esmaeil Fallahi
KEYWORDS:
Bio-Regulator, Bio-Stimulants, Color Improvement, Employ, Harpin Protein, Messenger®
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.12 No.8,
August
11,
2021
ABSTRACT: The competitive global fruit market mandates
production of apples with high quality attributes, particularly fruit color.
Harpin Protein (Messenger®)
is shown to trigger resistance to blue mold in apples, but limited information
can be found on the effect of this compound on fruit quality. In this study,
the impact of Harpin protein on quality attributes of four apple cultivars was
studied. “Red Spur Delicious” apple fruit from trees receiving Harpin protein
had significantly (about 23%) better color, earlier ethylene evolution, and
higher respiration than those from untreated control trees, while their
firmness was not adversely affected. Application of Harpin protein on “Red
Chief Delicious” apple improved fruit color and increased fruit size in two
locations, and advanced starch degradation pattern in one orchard but reduced
fruit firmness in one location. Harpin protein tended (but not significantly)
to improve fruit color in “Jonathan” and “Early Spur Rome” but reduced fruit
size in “Jonathan” apples. Messenger® increased
fruit percentage dry weight and Fe but decreased fruit Ca, Mg, K, and Zn. Improving
apple fruit color by Harpin protein could have major impacts on apple industry
and warrants further study.