Elevated temperature and drought stress significantly affect fruit quality and activity of anthocyanin-related enzymes in jujube (Ziziphus jujuba mill. cv. ‘Lingwuchangzao’)

Authors: JIANG, WENQIAN - Ningxia Axcademy Of Agriculture And Forestry Sciences; LI, NA - Ningxia Axcademy Of Agriculture And Forestry Sciences; Zhang, Dapeng; Meinhardt, Lyndel; CAO, BING - Ningxia Axcademy Of Agriculture And Forestry Sciences; LI, YUANJING - Ningxia Axcademy Of Agriculture And Forestry Sciences; SONG, LIHUA - Ningxia Axcademy Of Agriculture And Forestry Sciences

Submitted to: PLOS ONE
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/15/2020
Publication Date: 11/5/2020
Citation: Jiang, W., Li, N., Zhang, D., Meinhardt, L.W., Cao, B., Li, Y., Song, L. 2020. Elevated temperature and drought stress significantly affect fruit quality and activity of anthocyanin-related enzymes in jujube (Ziziphus jujuba mill. cv. ‘Lingwuchangzao’). PLoS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0241491.t003.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0241491.t003

Interpretive Summary: The quality jujube fruit (Chinese dates) can be directly and indirectly affected by climate stresses. Increased temperature and drought are among the most important factors challenging sustainable jujube production in the temperate semi-arid region of northwest China. The main objective of this study was to understand the effects of elevated air temperature and drought stress on fruit quality traits jujube fruits. Elevated temperature increased the sugar content, sugar-acid ratio, anthocyanins, flavonoids and carotenoids content of the fruits. Drought stress reduced the sugar content, anthocyanin, flavonoid and carotenoid content of the fruit. This study provides novel information on the influence of environment conditions on the quality of jujube fruits and this information will be used by agronomists, plant breeders, researchers and farmers to develop and improve jujube production in northwest China.

Technical Abstract: The quality attributes of jujube fruit can be directly and indirectly affected by abiotic stresses associated with climate change. Increased temperature and drought are among the most important factors challenging sustainable jujube production in the temperate semi-arid region of northwest China. The main objective of the present study was to understand the effects of elevated air temperature and drought stress on sugar and acid accumulation and coloration of jujube fruits. The content of soluble sugar, organic acid and pigments of traditional jujube "Linwuchangzao" under different atmospheric temperatures and drought stresses were analyzed during three different fruit ripening stages. The elevated temperature (1.5 – 2.5 ° C than normal temperature) significantly increased the fruit sugar content, sugar-acid ratio, anthocyanins, flavonoids and carotenoids content. Under the drought stress where the soil moisture is 30% -50% of the field capacity, sugar content, anthocyanin, flavonoid and carotenoid content of the fruit are significantly reduced at the same temperature, but the chlorophyll and organic acid content increased. No significant interaction of Temperature x Drought was observed for all the analyzed quality parameters. The current results show that the fruit quality of jujube variety "Lingwuchangzao" can be improved when the atmospheric temperature increases by 2 ° C in this region. However, drought stress has a negative impact on the fruit's sugar-acid ratio and pigment content. The present results also showed that the synthesis and accumulation of anthocyanins in jujube fruit were positively correlated with sugar content and related enzyme activities, especially Phenylalanine Ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity. This study, therefore, provides novel information for understanding the influence of growth environment on the quality properties of jujube fruits. This knowledge will help develop appropriate crop management practices for jujube production in arid and semi-arid areas in northwest China.