Tesis por compendio / [ES] El objetivo de esta tesis doctoral es evaluar la técnica de imagen hiperespectral en el rango visible e infrarrojo cercano, en combinación con técnicas quimiométricas para la evaluación de la calidad de la fruta en poscosecha de manera eficaz y sostenible. Con este fin, se presentan diferentes estudios en los que se evalúa la calidad de algunas frutas que por su valor económico, estratégico o social, son de especial importancia en la Comunidad Valenciana como son el caqui 'Rojo Brillante', la granada 'Mollar de Elche', el níspero 'Algerie' o diferentes cultivares de nectarina. En primer lugar se llevó a cabo la monitorización de la calidad poscosecha de nectarinas 'Big Top' y 'Magique' usando imagen hiperespectral en reflectancia y transmitancia. Al mismo tiempo se evaluó la transmitancia para la detección de huesos abiertos. Se llevó a cabo también un estudio para distinguir los cultivares 'Big Top' y "Diamond Ray", los cuales poseen un aspecto muy similar pero sabor diferente. En cuanto al caqui 'Rojo Brillante', la imagen hiperespectral fue estudiada por una parte para monitorear su madurez, y por otra parte para evaluar la astringencia de esta fruta, que debe ser completamente eliminada antes de su comercialización. Las propiedades físico-químicas de la granada 'Mollar de Elche' fueron evaluadas usando imagen de color e hiperespectral durante su madurez usando la información de la fruta intacta y de los arilos. Finalmente, esta técnica se usó para caracterizar e identificar los defectos internos y externos del níspero 'Algerie'. En la predicción de los índices de calidad IQI y RPI usando imagen en reflectancia y transmitancia se obtuvieron valores de R2 alrededor de 0,90 y en la discriminación por firmeza, una precisión entorno al 95 % usando longitudes de onda seleccionadas. En cuanto a la detección de huesos abiertos, el uso de la imagen hiperespectral en transmitancia obtuvo un 93,5 % de clasificación correcta de frutas con hueso normal y 100 % con hueso abierto usando modelos PLS-DA y 7 longitudes de onda. Los resultados obtenidos en la clasificación de los cultivares 'Big Top' y 'Diamond Ray' mostraron una fiabilidad superior al 96,0 % mediante el uso de modelos PLS-DA y 14 longitudes de onda seleccionadas, superando a la imagen de color (56,9 %) y a un panel entrenado (54,5 %). Con respecto al caqui, los resultados obtenidos indicaron que es posible distinguir entre tres estados de madurez con una precisión del 96,0 % usando modelos QDA y se predijo su firmeza obteniendo un valor de R2 de 0,80 usando PLS-R. En cuanto a la astringencia, se llevaron a cabo dos estudios similares en los que en el primero se discriminó la fruta de acuerdo al tiempo de tratamiento con altas concentraciones de CO2 con una precisión entorno al 95,0 % usando QDA. En el segundo se discriminó la fruta de acuerdo a un valor de contenido en taninos (0,04 %) y se determinó qué área de la fruta era mejor para realizar esta discriminación. Así se obtuvo una precisión del 86,9 % usando la zona media y 23 longitudes de onda. Los resultados obtenidos para la granada indicaron que la imagen de color e hiperespectral poseen una precisión similar en la predicción de las propiedades fisicoquímicas usando PLS-R y la información de la fruta intacta. Sin embargo, cuando se usó la información de los arilos, la imagen hiperespectral fue más precisa. En cuanto a la discriminación del estado de madurez usando PLS-DA, la imagen hiperespectral ofreció mayor precisión, 95,0 %, usando la información de la fruta intacta y del 100 % usando la de los arilos. Finalmente, los resultados obtenidos para el níspero indicaron que la imagen hiperespectral junto con el método de clasificación XGBOOST pudo discriminar entre muestras con y sin defectos con una precisión del 97,5 % y entre muestras sin defectos o con defectos internos o externos con una precisión del 96,7 %. Además fue posible distinguir entre los dife / [CA] L'objectiu de la present tesi doctoral se centra en avaluar la capacitat de la imatge hiperespectral en el rang visible i infraroig pròxim, en combinació amb mètodes quimiomètrics, per a l'avaluació de la qualitat de la fruita en post collita de manera eficaç i sostenible. A aquest efecte, es presenten diferents estudis en els quals s'avalua la qualitat d'algunes fruites que pel seu valor econòmic, estratègic o social, són d'especial importància a la Comunitat Valenciana com són el caqui 'Rojo Brillante', la magrana 'Mollar de Elche', el nispro 'Algerie' o diferents cultivares de nectarina. En primer lloc es va dur a terme la monitorització de la qualitat post collita de nectarines 'Big Top' i 'Magique' per mitjà d'imatge hiperespectral en reflectància i trasnmitancia. Així mateix es va avaluar la transmitància per a la detecció d'ossos oberts. Es va dur a terme també un estudi per distingir els cultivares 'Big Top' i 'Diamond Ray', els quals posseeixen un aspecte molt semblant però sabor diferent. Pel que fa al caqui 'Rojo Brillante', la imatge hiperespectral va ser estudiada d'una banda per a monitoritzar la seua maduresa, i per un altre costat per avaluar l'astringència, que ha de ser completament eliminada abans de la seua comercialització. Les propietats fisicoquímiques de la magrana 'Mollar de Elche' van ser avaluades per la imatge de color i hiperespectral durant la seua maduresa usant la informació de la fruita intacta i els arils. Finalment, aquesta tècnica es va fer servir per caracteritzar i identificar els defectes interns i externs del nispro 'Algerie'. En la predicció dels índexs de qualitat IQI i RPI usant imatge en reflectància com en trasnmitancia es van obtindre valors de R2 al voltant de 0,90 i en la discriminació per fermesa una precisió entorn del 95,0 % utilitzant longituds d'ona seleccionades. Pel que fa a la detecció d'ossos oberts, l'ús de la imatge hiperespectral en transmitància va obtindre un 93,5 % classificació correcta de fruites amb os normal i 100 % amb os obert usant models PLS-DA i 7 longituds d'ona. Els resultats obtinguts en la classificació dels cultivares 'Big Top' i 'Diamond Ray' van mostrar una fiabilitat superior al 96,0 % per mitjà de l'ús de models PLS-DA i 14 longituds d'ona, superant a la imatge de color (56,9 %) i a un panell sensorial entrenat (54,5 %). Quant al caqui, els resultats obtinguts van indicar que és possible distingir entre tres estats de maduresa amb una precisió del 96,0 % usant models QDA i es va predir la seua fermesa obtenint un valor de R2 de 0,80 usant PLS-R. Pel que fa a l'astringència, es van dur a terme dos estudis similars en què el primer es va discriminar la fruita d'acord al temps de tractament amb altes concentracions de CO2 amb una precisió al voltant del 95,0 % usant QDA. En el segon, es va discriminar la fruita d'acord a un valor de contingut en tanins (0,04 %) i es va determinar quina part de la fruita era millor per a realitzar aquesta discriminació. Així es va obtindre una precisió del 86,9 % usant la zona mitjana i 23 longituds d'ona. Els resultats obtinguts per la magrana van indicar que la imatge de color i hiperespectral posseïxen una precisió semblant a la predicció de les propietats fisicoquímiques usant PLS-R i la informació de la fruita intacta. No obstant això, quan es va usar la informació dels arils, la imatge hiperespectral va ser més precisa. Quant a la discriminació de l'estat de maduresa usant PLS-DA, la imatge hiperespectral va oferir major precisió (95,0 %) usant la informació de la fruita intacta i del 100 % usant la dels arils. Finalment, els resultats obtinguts pel nispro indiquen que la imatge hiperespectral juntament amb el mètode de classificació XGBOOST va poder discriminar entre mostres amb i sense defectes amb una precisió del 97,5 % i entre mostres sense defectes o amb defectes interns o externs amb una precisió del 96,7 %. A més, va ser possible distingir entre / [EN] The objective of this doctoral thesis is to evaluate the potential of the hyperspectral imaging in the visible and near infrared range in combination with chemometrics for the assessment of the postharvest quality of fruit in a non-destructive, efficient and sustainable manner. To this end, different studies are presented in which the quality of some fruits is evaluated. Due to their economic, strategic or social value, the selected fruits are of special importance in the Valencian Community, such as Persimmon 'Rojo Brillante', the pomegranate 'Mollar de Elche', the loquat 'Algerie' or different nectarine cultivars. First, the quality monitoring of 'Big Top' and 'Magique' nectarines was carried out using reflectance and transmittance images. At the same time, transmittance was evaluated for the detection of split pit. In addition, a classification was performed to distinguish the 'Big Top' and 'Diamond Ray' cultivars, which look very similar but have different flavour. Whereas that for the 'Rojo Brillante' persimmon, the hyperspectral imaging was studied on the one hand to monitor its maturity, and on the other hand to evaluate the astringency of this fruit, which must be completely eliminated before its commercialization. The physicochemical properties of the 'Mollar de Elche' pomegranate were evaluated by means of hyperspectral and colour imaging during its maturity using the information from the intact fruit and arils. Finally, this technique was used to characterise and identify the internal and external defects of the 'Algerie' loquat. In the prediction of the IQI and RPI quality indexes using reflectance and transmittance images, R2 values around 0.90 were obtained and in the discrimination according to firmness, accuracy around 95.0 % using selected wavelengths was obtained. Regarding the split pit detection, the use of the hyperspectral image in transmittance mode obtained a 93.5 % of fruits with normal bone correctly classified and 100% with split pit using PLS-DA models and 7 wavelengths. The results obtained in the classification of 'Big Top' and 'Diamond Ray' fruits show accuracy higher than 96.0 % by using PLS-DA models and 14 selected wavelengths, higher than the obtained with colour image (56.9 %) and a trained panel (54.5 %). According to persimmon, the results obtained indicated that it is possible to distinguish between three states of maturity with an accuracy of 96.0 % using QDA models and its firmness was predicted obtaining a R2 value of 0.80 using PLS-R. Regarding astringency, two similar studies were carried out. In the first study, the fruit was classified according to the time of treatment with high concentrations of CO2 with a precision of around 95.0 % using QDA. In the second, the fruit was discriminated according to a threshold value of soluble tannins (0.04 %) and was determined what fruit area was better to perform this discrimination. Thus, an accuracy of 86.9 % was obtained using the middle area and 23 wavelengths. The results obtained for the pomegranate indicated that the use of colour and hyperspectral images have a similar precision in the prediction of physicochemical properties using PLS-R and the intact fruit information. However, when the information from the arils was used, the hyperspectral image was more accurate. Regarding the discrimination by the state of maturity using PLS-DA, the hyperspectral image offered greater precision, of 95.0 % using the information from the intact fruit and 100 % using that from the arils. Finally, the results obtained for the 'Algerie' loquat indicated that the hyperspectral image with the XGBOOST classification method could discriminate between sound samples and samples with defects with accuracy of 97.5 % and between sound samples or samples with internal or external defects with an accuracy of 96.7 %. It was also possible to distinguish between the different defects with an accuracy of 95.9 %. / Munera Picazo, SM. (2019). Application of hyperspectral imaging combined with chemometrics for the non-destructive evaluation of the quality of fruit in postharvest [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/125954 / Compendio

Thesis (M.Sc. (Horticulture)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of pre-harvest bagging materials on maturity indices and post-harvest quality of cherry tomatoes. At pre-harvest, fruit were bagged with blue and transparent plastic bags of 0.075- and 0.025-mm thickness, respectively. The non-bagged fruit were considered as control treatment. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with three replications. Physical quality parameters such as; colour changes (L*, a*, b*, C*, h˚, and ΔE), firmness, weight loss and size were assessed. Physico-chemical parameters such as pH, total soluble solids, and total titratable acidity were also evaluated. Bagging had a significant effect on the quality of both cherry tomato cultivars. The results showed that bagging cherry tomatoes at 1.5 cm diameter with blue and transparent plastic bags accelerated maturity. Moreover, bagging with transparent plastic bags enhanced exocarp colour, reduced weight loss, retained larger size, increased pH and TTA, with an increase in TSS when compared with blue plastic bags and control, respectively at 12 days of shelf-life. In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that pre-harvest bagging has the potential to improve maturity indices and post-harvest quality of cherry tomatoes. Therefore, pre-harvest bagging can be used as an alternative method to enhance cherry tomato fruit quality and shelf-life. / NRF

Thesis(MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The SQUID-NMR technique has been increasingly recommended by many researchers as holding a lot of potential, and it is believed it will become an invaluable tool for non-destructive evaluation in the future. Most of its potential is yet to be exploited. Non-destructive quality control of food products is one of the applications where such a system is being tried. Much of the progress that has been made in improving such a system to the present degree of user friendliness and cost effectiveness shows that, with more effort, it would be possible to implement the technology for on-line sorting, and possibly to reduce it down to hand-held devices. The goal was to investigate the feasibility of the internal fruit quality measurements using the NMR technique, and to develop a SQUID system suitable for SQUID-NMR application, intended for a later integration in a full SQUID-NMR system. A working dc SQUID was manufactured on an YBCO (Y Ba2Cu3O7􀀀 ) thin film deposited on a 10 mm x 10 mm MgO substrate. The SQUID was made of microbridge Josephson junctions, patterned by using the double resist laser lithography method, implemented during the course of this manufacturing process. The test of the SQUID showed a non-hysteretic current-voltage characteristic. Under the action of bringing a magnet closer to the SQUID under test, and then retracting it, the modulation of the I-V curve was observed. The critical current of the SQUID was 20 A and the resistance was 5.5 A series of experiments were performed on destructive measurements of the sugar content in table grapes using NMR, in order to evaluate the feasibility of this technique. The total sugars(TSS) measurements of the same samples were carried out by refractometry, chosen as a conventional method for validation. The NMR measurements were evaluated to be 5.4% precise and have an accuracy of 9.3% relative to the refractometry measurements. A further series of experiments were carried out on a high-Tc SQUID-NMR system. A high correlation coefficient (0.85) of the increasing values of the T1 and T2 relaxation times to the decreasing concentration of sugar (sucrose) in water was obtained. Non-destructive measurements T1 and T2 in table grapes suggested a possible prediction of sugar content in table grapes from the values of T1 or T2. This technique also presented many advantages compared to the conventional high field NMR technique, such as the fast measurements that do not require spectral processing, the ease of sample preparation, and its non-destructive nature. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die SQUID-NMR tegniek word al hoe meer aanbeveel deur navorsers oor die groot potensiaal, en dit beloof om in die toekoms van onskatbare waarde te wees in nie vernietigende evaluering. Die potensiaal moet grotendeels nog ontgin word, en die nie vernietigende kwaliteitsbeheer van voedselprodukte is een van die toepassings wat hier getoets word. Die vooruitgang tot dusver om die stelsel te verbeter wat die gebruikersvriendelikheid en koste-effektiwiteit betref, toon dat met effens meer moeite dit moontlik sal wees om die tegnologie aan te pas vir lynsortering van vrugte, en om dit dalk ook as handtoestel beskikbaar te stel. Die vooruitgang tot dusver om die stelsel te verbeter wat die gebruikersvriendelikheid en koste-effektiwiteit betref, toon dat met effens meer moeite dit moontlik sal wees om die tegnologie aan te pas vir lynsortering van vrugte, en om dit dalk ook as handtoestel beskikbaar te stel. Die doel is om die uitvoerbaarheid van interne vrugtekwaliteit metings deur hierdie tegniek te ondersoek en om ’n SQUID stelsel te ontwikkel wat gepas is vir SQUIDNMR toepassing, met die doel om dit later in ’n volledige SQUID-NMR stelsel te kan integreer. ’n Werkende GS-SQUID is vervaardig op ’n YBCO dunfilm wat op ’n 10 mm x 10 mm MgO substraat gedeponeer is. Die SQUID is van mikro-brug Josephson aansluitings/ voegvlakke, waarop in die loop van die vervaardigingsproses ’n patroon m et dubbelweerstand laser litografie neergelê is. Toets van die SQUID het ’n niehisterese stroom-spanning as kenmerkend getoon. Die nader bring en terugtrekking van ’n magneet het gelei tot waarneming van die modulasie van die I-V kurwe. Die kritieke stroom van die SQUID was 20 A en die weerstand was 5.5 ohm. ’n Reeks eksperimente is uitgevoer oor vernietigende metings van die suikerinhoud van tafeldruiwe met gebruik van NMR, om die gangbaarheid van hierdie tegniek te evalueer. Totale suikers (TSS) metings van dieselfde monsters is uitgevoer deur refraktometrie, wat gekies is as gebruiklike metode vir geldigheidsbepaling. Die NMR metings is as 5.4% presies/noukeurig evalueer, en met ’n akkuraatheid van 9.3% teenoor die refraktometrie metingsyfers. ’n Verdere reeks eksperimente is uitgevoer op ’n hoë-Tc SQID-NMR stelsel. ’n Hoë korrelasiekoëffisiënt van 0.85 van die toenemende waardes van T1 en T2 ontspantye teenoor die afname in konsentrasie van sukrose in water is waargeneem. Nie-vernietigende metings van T1 eb T2 in tafeldruiwe het gelei tot die moontlikheid van gebruik van hierdie tegniek om suikerinhoud van tafeldruiwe te voorspel. Die tegniek het ook baie voordele getoon in teenstelling met die gebruiklike hoëveld NMR tegniek, onder andere dat hierdie metings vinniger is, nie verdere verwerking van die spektrum benodig nie, die maklike voorbereiding van die monsters en die nie-vernietigende aard van die proses.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2010. / Thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Zoology at Stellenbosch University. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Most modern deciduous fruit cultivars are self-incompatible, and require polliniser trees to be planted in the orchard to provide the pollen necessary for cross-pollination, fertilization and fruit set. Polliniser trees are either non-commercial cultivars interspersed in the orchard solely to provide pollen, or crosscompatible cultivars inter-planted in the same orchard. 90% of the commercial crops dependent on bee pollination are courtesy of a single species, Apis mellifera. Both polliniser planting pattern and honey bee colony distance are known to influence crop production and crop quality, resulting in a rapid decrease in fruit weight, fruit set and seed number with increasing distance from the polliniser or honeybee colonies. However, the response of different crops and cultivars to polliniser and pollinator proximity on optimal crop yield is not known for deciduous fruit crops in the Western Cape, South Africa. The effect of polliniser position and honeybee colony distance on fruit set and weight was investigated in plums, apples and pears on the Lourensford Estate. The relationship between fruit set and fruit weight was investigated for deciduous fruit cultivars. In addition, fruit weight and seed number was also investigated in apples and pears. Fruit set tended to increase on sides of trees closer to the polliniser but not significantly so, except for apples. This suggests that there is probably better pollination closer to the pollinisers but this does not equate to increased yield. In fact, smaller fruit was produced on the sides of the trees closer to the polliniser for all orchards and significantly so for plum and for ‘Packham’s Triumph’ in Hillside 1. This negative relationship between fruit set and weight may indicate ‘over-set’ beyond the physiological limits of the trees. Fruits closer to the polliniser had significantly more seeds for both pear and apple cultivars indicating sufficient pollination. A significant relationship was found between the seed number in any particular fruit and the weight of the fruit in all the cultivars except ‘Packham’s Triumph’ where the relationship was negative, suggesting that ‘Packham’s Triumph’ set parthenocarpically. Colony distance had no effect on fruit weight, fruit set and on seed number indicating that colonies were adequately distributed and that there was no “pollination depression” in the centre of the orchards at Lourensford. In conclusion, the fact that we did not get a yield gradient with increased distance from the colonies suggested that the orchards at Lourensford Estate were sufficiently pollinated. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar

Thesis (PhD(Agric))--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to develop non-destructive methods to predict external and internal quality of citrus fruit. A critical review of the literature identified presymptomatic biochemical markers associated with non-chilling rind physiological disorders. The prospects for the use of visible to near infrared spectroscopy (Vis/NIRS) as non-destructive technology to sort affected fruit were also reviewed. Initial studies were conducted to determine the optimum condition for NIRS measurements and to evaluate the accuracy of this technique and associated chemometric analysis. It was found that the emission head spectroscopy in diffuse reflectance mode could predict fruit mass, colour index, total soluble solids, and vitamin C with high accuracy. Vis/NIRS was used to predict postharvest rind physico-chemical properties related to rind quality and susceptibility of ‘Nules Clementine’ to RBD. Partial least squares (PLS) statistics demonstrated that rind colour index, dry matter (DM) content, total carbohydrates, and water loss were predicted accurately. Chemometric analysis showed that optimal PLS model performances for DM, sucrose, glucose, and fructose were obtained using models based on multiple scatter correction (MSC) spectral pre-processing. The critical step in evaluating the feasibility of Vis/NIRS was to test the robustness of the calibration models across orchards from four growing regions in South Africa over two seasons. Studies on the effects of microclimatic conditions predisposing fruit to RBD showed that fruit inside the canopy, especially artificially bagged fruit, had lower DM, higher mass loss, and were more susceptible to RBD. The study suggested that variations in microclimatic conditions between seasons, as well as within the tree canopy, affect the biochemical profile of the rind, which in turn influences fruit response to postharvest stresses associated with senescence and susceptibility to RBD. Principal component analysis (PCA) and PLS discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) models were applied to distinguish between fruit from respectively, inside and outside tree canopy, using Vis/NIRS signal, suggesting the possibility of using this technology to discriminate between fruit based on their susceptibility to RBD. Results from the application of optical coherence tomography (OCT), a novel non-destructive technology for imaging histological changes in biological tissues, showed promise as a potential technique for immediate, real-time acquisition of images of rind anatomical features of citrus fruit. The study also demonstrated the potential of Vis/NIRS as a non-destructive tool for sorting citrus fruit based on external and internal quality. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie het ten doel gestaan om nie-destruktiewe meeting metodes te toets en ontwikkel wat die interne en eksterne-kwaliteit van sitrusvrugte kan voorspel. In ʼn litratuuroorsig is biochemies verandering in die skil en wat geassosieer word met die ontwikkeling van fisiologies skildefekte geïdentifiseer, asook is die moontlikheid ondersoek om Naby Infrarooi spektroskopie (NIRS) as ‘n nie-destruktiewe tegnologie te gebruik om vrugte te sorteer. Eerstens was die optimale toestande waarby NIRS meetings van sitrusvrugte geneem moet word asook die akkuraatheid van die toerusting en chemometrika data-ontleding beproef. Daar is gevind dat die uitstralings-kop spektrofotometer in diffusie-weerkaatsings modus vrugmassa, skilkleur, totale opgeloste stowwe asook vitamien C akkuraat kan voorspel. Daarna van NIRS gebruik om na-oes fisies-chemiese eienskappe wat verband hou met skilkwaliteit en vatbaarheid vir skilafbraak van ‘Nules Clementine’ mandaryn. Deur gebruik te maak van “Partial least squares” (PLS) statistieke was gedemonstreer dat die skilkleur, droë massa (DM), totale koolhidrate en waterverlies akkuraat voorspel kon word. Chemometriese analises het ook getoon dat optimale PLS modelle vir DM, sukrose, glukose en fruktose verkry kan word deur modelle te skep wat gebaseer is op “Multiple scatter correction” (MSC) spektrale voor-verwerking. ʼn Belangrike stap in die ontwikkeling van NIRS gebaseerde indeling is om die robuustheid van die kalibrasiemodelle te toets en was gedoen deur vrugte te meet en sorteer van vier boorde en oor twee seisoene. ʼn Verder eksperiment om die impak van mikroklimaat op die skil se vatbaarheid vir fisiologiese defekte te ontwikkel het getoon dat vrugte wat binne in die blaardak ontwikkel (lae vlakke van sonlig) ʼn laer DM, hoër gewigsverlies het en was ook meer vatbaar vir skilafbraak. Die resultate dui daarop dat verskille in mikroklimaat oor die seisoen asook in die blaardak die skil se biochemiese profiel beïnvloed, wat lei tot ʼn negatiewe reaksie op na-oes stres en verhoogde voorkoms van fisiologiese skilafbraak. Die ontwikkelde “Principal component analysis” (PCA) en PLS-diskriminant analise modelle was daarna suksesvol toegepas om vrugte te skei na NIRS meetings, op die basis van vrugpossies in die blaardak. Nuwe, nie-destruktiewe tegniek, nl. “Optical coherence tomography” (OCT) was suksesvol getoets as manier om ʼn fotografiese beeld te skep van histologiese veranderinge in die skil. Die resultate dui op die potensiaal van die onontginde tegnologie om intak biologiese-materiaal te analiseer. Hierdie studie het getoon dat daar wesenlike potensiaal is om NIRS verder te ontwikkel tot ʼn tegnologie wat gebruik kan word om vrugte te sorteer gebaseer op eksterne (skil) asook interne (pulp) eienskappe

O estado de São Paulo destaca-se como o maior produtor nacional de banana (Musa spp.), com sua produção comercial tradicionalmente concentrada na região do Vale do Ribeira e no Litoral Paulista. No entanto, os cultivos se estenderam a partir da década de 1990 para o Planalto Paulista, onde agricultores buscavam uma maior diversificação das atividades agrícolas. A prevalência do cultivo com cultivares tradicionais tem sido desafiadora devido à suscetibilidade dessas às principais doenças. Objetivou-se avaliar dois novos híbridos tetraplóides (AAAB) resistentes à Sigatoka amarela (Mycosphaerella musicola, Leach), a \'BRS Platina\' e a \'BRS Princesa\', comparando-os com a cultivar comumente utilizada, a \'Prata-anã\' (AAB). No entanto, a adoção de novos híbridos de bananeira não se estabelece apenas pela sua resistência às doenças. Dessa forma, variáveis vegetativas, variáveis de rendimento do cacho e suas correlações, duração do ciclo e qualidade pós-colheita dos frutos também foram avaliadas. O experimento foi conduzido no município de Piracicaba-SP (latitude: 22 43\' 30\'\' S, longitude de 47 38\' 56\'\' O e altitude de 554 metros), que possui clima classificado como Cwa, com chuva predominante no verão e período mais seco e frio no inverno. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, com a adoção de três repetições e a parcela composta por três plantas. Quanto às avaliações da qualidade pós-colheita dos frutos, o delineamento experimental adotado foi o inteiramente casualizado, 12 dias de armazenamento, três repetições, cada qual constituída por três frutos. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise estatística de variância e ao teste de Tukey a 5% de significância; análise de correlação com base na correlação de Pearson e análise de regressão a 5% de significância. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, conclui-se que as cultivares BRS Platina e BRS Princesa apresentam maior resistência à Sigatoka amarela em relação à cultivar Prata-anã, porém não diferem quanto ao rendimento do cacho. Quanto ao crescimento vegetativo, destaca-se o maior porte apresentado pelas novas cultivares, BRS Platina e BRS Princesa, podendo conferir às essas cultivares maior suscetibilidade ao tombamento, principalmente devido a frequência de ventos fortes na região. Em relação ao ciclo de produção as cultivares não diferem entre si. Quanto à qualidade pós-colheita dos frutos, as bananas \'BRS Platina\' apresentam um amadurecimento mais acelerado e, consequentemente, senescência dos frutos. Somente a cultivar BRS Platina apresenta correlação positiva entre variáveis vegetativas e produção. / São Paulo state stands out as the main producer of banana (Musa spp.). The commercial production is mostly concentrated at Vale do Ribeira region and São Paulo coast. However, at the 1990 decade Banana cultivation started spreading towards the Paulista plateau where farmers sought cropping diversification. Maintaining the use of traditional cultivars has been challenging due to their susceptibility to main diseases.This study aimed evaluating two recently breed tetraploids hybrids (AAAB), \'BRS Platina\' and \'BRS Princesa\' resistant to yellow Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella musicola, Leach), comparing it to the commonly used \'Prata-anã\' cultivar (AAB). Knowing that the adoption of a new hybrid does not take place by simply considering its resistance to diseases, the evaluation of vegetative parameters, bunch yield and its correlations, cycle duration and post-harvest quality of the fruits were necessary. The study was installed in Piracicaba-SP (latitude: 22 43\' 30\'\' S, longitude de 47 38\' 56\'\' W e altitude of 554 meters), with Cwa climate classification where most rain occurs during summer and the winter is dry and cold. The adopted experimental desing was randomized blocks, with three replicates and three plants per plot. The post-harvest evaluations took place in a complete randomized desing, with three replicates and plots composed of three bananas. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey test at the level of 5% of significance; Pearson correlation analysis and regression analysis. The most valuable results related, the \'BRS Platina\' and \'BRS Princesa\' demonstre higher resistance to yellow Sigatoka when compared to \'Prata-anã\' but there are no difference in yield as a result of the components of the bunch of each cultivar. The news cultivars have pseudostem taller than \'Prata-anã\'. In terms of post-harvest quality, bananas \'BRS Platina\' has early fruit maturation, when compared to the others, and consequently sooner beginning off fruit decease process. Only the \'BRS Platina\' has positive correlation between vegetative and production parameters.

O cultivo de fisális (Physalis peruviana L.) é uma alternativa promissora para os agricultores que se dedicam à produção de frutíferas exóticas, do segmento de \"pequenas frutas\", em decorrrência da valorização do fruto, que possue diversas qualidades organolépticas e funcionais. Entretanto, ainda são escassas as informações sobre a cultura nas condições edafoclimáticas brasileiras, especialmente em relaçao aos processos de maturação dos frutos e das sementes, de modo que possa ser indicado o momento adequado para a colheita, considerando a qualidade dos frutos e das sementes e, não menos importante, o estudo das condições ideais para o teste de germinação das sementes, uma vez que, este teste, além de ser empregado para auxiliar na identificação da maturidade fisiológica das sementes, seus resultados são parâmetro para comparação da qualidade das sementes dos lotes e para a comercialização das sementes. Portanto, a presente pesquisa foi realizada com os objetivos de avaliar as necessidades de luz, temperatura e substrato para o teste de germinação; estudar a maturação dos frutos e das sementes e, a incidência de fungos nas sementes de Physalis peruviana L., segundo o momento do florescimento da planta e a idade dos frutos. Desta forma, a pesquisa foi conduzida entre fevereiro de 2016 e novembro de 2017, nos Laboratórios Análise de Sementes (LAS), de Análise de Imagens (LAI), de Pós-Colheita de Produtos Hortícolas (LPCPH) e de Patologia de Sementes (LPS), pertencentes aos Departamentos de Produção Vegetal e de Fitopatologia e Nematologia, da Escola Superior de Agricultura \"Luiz de Queiroz\", Universidade de São Paulo (USP, ESALQ), em Piracicaba, São Paulo. Para os estudos do teste de germinação das sementes, primeirameite foram avaliados diferentes suprimentos de luz e temperatura, sendo utilizada uma mesa termogradiente regulada com nove intervalos de temperatura (variação de 15 °C a 35 °C) e duas alternadas 20-30 °C e 15-35 °C, com oito horas de fotoperíodo e na ausência total de luz. Após estabelecidos os requerimentos de luz e temperatura, foram estudados os substratos para germinação das sementes: papel mata-borrão (sobre papel), areia (entre areia) e vermiculita (entre vermiculita). Quanto aos estudos da maturação e análise sanitária, foram distinguidos dois momentos de florescimento das plantas, 55 e 105 dias após o transplante (DAT) e, em cada um destes momentos, as flores foram marcadas por ocasião da antese e os respectivos frutos e sementes avaliados aos 45, 60, 75 e 90 dias após (DAA). A germinação das sementes de Physalis peruviana L. ocorre em intervalo amplo de temperatura (15 a 30,2 °C), sendo ideais as temperaturas 25 °C constante e 20-30 °C alternada, com oito horas de luz. O substrato areia (entre areia) é mais adequado e, como alternativa, podem ser utilizados o papel (sobre papel) e a vermiculita (entre vermiculita). As avaliações do teste de germinação podem ser realizadas no 7º dia (primeira contagem) e no 14º dia (contagem final) após a instalação do teste. O momento do florescimento e o estádio de desenvolvimento do fruto têm influência sobre as características qualitativas deste e sobre a maturação das sementes. A idade (em dias após a antese) e as modificações da cor, da massa, do tamanho e do sabor que ocorrem durante o desenvolvimento são parâmetros indicativos da maturidade fisiológica tanto do fruto quanto das sementes, as quais ocorrem aos 75 DAA (55 DAT) e aos 60 DAA (105 DAT). Além disso, os frutos produzidos em Piracicaba, São Paulo, têm padrão para a comercialização e qualidade similar a dos frutos produzidos em outras regiões de cultivo. Os gêneros fúngicos constatados em sementes de Physalis peruviana L. são Alternaria, Aspergillus, Bipolaris, Cladosporium, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Nigrospora e Penicillium, sendo a menor incidência em sementes de 75 DAA. A presença dos fungos não afeta o componente fisiológico das sementes. / The cultivation of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) is a promising alternative for the farmers who are dedicated to the production of exotic fruit, the \"small fruits\" segment, due to the valorization of the fruit, which has several organoleptic and functional qualities. However, information about the crop under Brazilian soil and climate conditions is still scarce, especially in relation to the fruit and seed maturation processes, so that the appropriate time for harvest can be indicated, considering the quality of the fruits and seeds and, not least, the study of the ideal conditions for the seed germination test, since this test, besides being used to help in the identification of the physiological maturity of the seeds, yours results are parameter for comparison the seed quality of the lots and for seed marketing. Therefore, the present research was developed out with the objective of evaluating the light, temperature and substrate requirements for the germination test and to study the maturation of fruits and seeds, and the incidence of fungi on seed of Physalis peruviana L., according to the moment of flowering of the plant and fruit age. The research was conducted between february 2016 and november 2017, in the Laboratories of Seeds Analysis (LAS), Analysis of Images (LAI), Post-Harvesting of Horticultural Plants (LPCPH) and Pathology Seeds (LPS), belonging to the Departments of Crop Science and Phytopathology and Nematology, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of São Paulo (USP/ESALQ), in Piracicaba, São Paulo. For the seed germination test, different light and temperature supplies were evaluated first, using a termo-gradient table regulated with nine temperature ranges (ranging from 15 °C to 35 °C) and two alternate 20-30 °C and 15-35 °C, with eight hours of photoperiod and in the total absence of light. After the light and temperature requirements were established, the substrates for seed germination were studied: blotter paper sheets (upon paper), sand (between sand) and vermiculite (between vermiculite). In the maturation and seed health studies, two flowering moments were considered, at 55 and 105 days after transplanting (DAT) of the plants, and in each of these moments, the flowers were marked in the anthesis and the respective fruits and seeds evaluated at 45, 60, 75 and 90 days after anthesis (DAA).The germination of the seeds of Physalis peruviana L. occurs in a wide temperature range (15 to 30,2 °C), with temperatures 25 °C constant and 20-30 °C alternating, with eight hours of light. The sand substrate (between sand) is more suitable and, alternatively, paper and vermiculite may be used. The germination test evaluations can be performed on the 7th day (first count) and on the 14th day (final count) after the test installation. The moment of flowering and the development stage of the fruit influence the qualitative characteristics of the fruit and the maturation of the seeds. The age (in days after anthesis) and changes in color, mass, size and flavor that occur during the development, are indicative parameters of the physiological maturity of both fruit and seeds, which occur at 75 DAA (55 DAT) and at 60 DAA (105 DAT). In addition, fruits produced in Piracicaba, São Paulo, has a commercial pattern and quality similar to the fruits produced in other regions. The fungal genus found in seeds of Physalis peruviana L. are Alternaria, Aspergillus, Bipolaris, Cladosporium, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Nigrospora and Penicillium, the lowest incidence occurring in seeds of 75 DAA. The presence of fungi does not affect the physiological component of the seeds.

A nespereira é uma planta rústica, que prescinde da utilização sistemática de defensivos, o que torna o cultivo atraente, para atender ao público que cresce, dia a dia, à procura de produtos naturais.O trabalho teve por objetivo realizar a caracterização fenológica da nespereira, estabelecendo os estádios fenológicos e o ciclo de produção de 5 cultivares e de uma seleção.Também estudou-se a melhor fase para o ensacamento dos frutos e a intensidade de raleio para a obtenção de frutos de alta qualidade. Foi estabelecida uma escala fenológica contendo sete estádios de desenvolvimento para a nespereira. Os estágios observados foram: 0 Desenvolvimento da Gema; 1 Desenvolvimento das folhas; 3 Desenvolvimento dos Brotos; 5 Emergência da Inflorescência; 6 Florescimento; 7 Desenvolvimento dos frutos; 8 Maturação dos frutos, de acordo com a escala BBCH. Mediante o estudo da escala fenológica das 5 cultivares e da seleção IAC NE3, verificou-se a existência de diferenças no ciclo de produção das cultivares estudadas e também da seleção, possibilitando a observação de três grupos. O primeiro grupo, mais precoce, foi formado pelas cultivares Mizuho e Mizumo, com ciclo médio de 195 dias contados a partir do início do desenvolvimento das gemas até a colheita dos frutos. As cultivares Néctar de Cristal e Centenária formaram um segundo grupo apresentando um ciclo intermediário com uma média de 203 dias. Já a cultivar Mizauto e a seleção IAC NE3 foram as mais tardias, uma vez que o ciclo foi concluído 208 dias, em média, após o início do desenvolvimento das gemas.A intensidade de raleio a ser adotada deve ser de 4 ou 6 frutos por panícula, levando-se em conta a safra esperada; o ensacamento dos frutos deve ser realizado nos estádios 1 (frutos com 1,0 cm de diâmetro) ou 2 (frutos com 1,5 cm de diâmetro). / The Loquat is a rustic plant, which renounce the systematic use of defensive, which makes the cultivation attractive, to attend the public that grows, day by day, the demand for natural products. The study aimed to carry out the phenological characterization of loquat, setting the phenological stages and the cycle of production of 5 cultivars and a selection. Also studied is the best stage for the bagging of panicles and thinning intensity for obtaining fruits of high quality. Was established a scale containing seven phenological stages of development for loquat. The stages were observed: 0 - Development of bud, 1 - Development of the leaves, 3 - Development of shoot, 5 - Emergency of Inflorescence, 6 - Blooming; 7 - Development of fruit; 8 - Ripening fruits, according to the scale BBCH. Through the study of phenological scale from 5 cultivars and selection IAC NE3, there are differences in the production cycle of cultivars and the selection, enabling the observation of three groups. The first group, earlier, was formed by cultivars with Mizuho and Mizumo cycle average of 195 days counted from the beginning of the development of buds until the harvest fruit. Cultivars nectar of Cristal and Centenária formed a second group presenting a cycle intermediary with an average of 203 days. The cultivar Mizauto and the select IAC NE3 were the most late, since the cycle was completed 208 days on average after the start of the development of buds. The intensity of thinning to be used must be 4 or 6 fruits per raceme, considering the crop waited and the fruit price in the market. The fruit bagging must be realized in the harvest time 1(fruits with 1,0 cm of diameter) or 2(fruits with 1,5 cm of diameter).

A presente tese aborda o estudo do metabolismo dos frutos de tomate a partir de três estratégias complementares: i) a identificação de genes candidatos colocalizados com QTL, previamente descritos a partir do perfil metabólico de S. lycopersicum (cv. M82) e linhagens introgredidas de S. pennellii, associados ao conteúdo de metabólitos de interesse industrial e nutricional; ii) a análise estrutural das regiões genômicas portadoras desses genes; e iii) a análise funcional dos genes chaperona DnaJ e sec14 por meio de genética reversa mediante o silenciamento por RNAi. A análise de marcadores moleculares previamente mapeados nas regiões portadoras dos QTL permitiu identificar 127 genes candidatos cujos produtos foram mapeados nas rotas metabólicas correspondentes. Um subgrupo desses genes apresentou diferenças alélicas entre os progenitores da população utilizada para a identificação dos QTL. A análise de microssintenia revelou um alto grau de conservação na estrutura genômica, apresentando polimorfismos nas regiões codificantes e regulatórias, assim como no padrão de inserção de elementos de transposição. Baseado nessas diferenças, análises de expressão e funcionalidade putativa, dois genes foram escolhidos para a análise funcional utilizando a estratégia de RNA de interferência. Os resultados obtidos da avaliação fenotípica das plantas deficientes em chaperona DnaJ permitiram concluir que esta proteína, localizada nos cloroplastos, participa da regulação do metabolismo de açúcares, em particular na síntese de amido, controlando assim, a exportação de fotoassimilados. Já, a caracterização das linhagens silenciadas para o gene sec14, levou a postular que os conteúdos de tocoferol (VTE) nos frutos de tomate, não só dependem da regulação cinética das enzimas envolvidas na sua síntese, mas também da função da proteína do SEC14, não caracterizada em plantas até o momento. Essa proteína estaria envolvida no transporte de VTE entre os diferentes compartimentos do cloroplasto tendo impacto no equilíbrio oxidativo, na estrutura do plastídeo e, consequentemente, na biossíntese desta vitamina. Os resultados obtidos nesta tese reforçam a hipótese que o germoplasma selvagem constituem uma fonte de variabilidade a ser explorada para a identificação de determinantes genéticos que viabilizem novas estratégias de melhoramento de tomate por meio da manipulação do metabolismo central dos frutos. / This thesis addresses tomato fruit metabolism analysis by using three complementary approaches: i) the identification of candidate genes co-located with QTL previously described from metabolic profiles of S. lycopersicum (cv. M82) and S. pennellii introgressed lines, associated with industrial and nutritional quality traits; ii) the structural analyses of the genomic regions harboring the identified genes and ; iii) the functional analysis of the chaperone DnaJ and sec14 genes through reverse genetics mediated by iRNA silencing. The analysis of the molecular markers previously mapped onto the QTL-associated regions allowed the identification of 127 candidate genes whose products were mapped in the corresponding metabolic pathways. A subset of these genes showed allelic differences between the parental genotypes used for QTL identification. Based on these differences, together with the expression profile analysis and their putative function, two genes were selected for functional analysis using RNA interference approach. The phenotypic profile of the chaperone DnaJ deficient plants allowed to conclude that this protein, located in chloroplasts, participates in sugar metabolism, in particular, starch synthesis, controlling assimilates partitioning. The characterization of sec14-silenced transgenic lines leads to propose that fruit tocopherol (VTE) contents not only depend on the kinetic regulation of the biosynthesis-involved enzymes, but also on the SEC14 action, not yet characterized in plants. This protein might be involved in VTE transport between the different plastidial compartments thus, affecting oxidative balance, chloroplast structure and, consequently, VTE biosynthesis. All together these results support the hypothesis that wild germoplasm represents a remarkable source of variability to be explore aiming the identification of genetic determinants to develop new breeding approaches for tomato through metabolic engineering.

A presente tese aborda o estudo do metabolismo dos frutos de tomate a partir de três estratégias complementares: i) a identificação de genes candidatos colocalizados com QTL, previamente descritos a partir do perfil metabólico de S. lycopersicum (cv. M82) e linhagens introgredidas de S. pennellii, associados ao conteúdo de metabólitos de interesse industrial e nutricional; ii) a análise estrutural das regiões genômicas portadoras desses genes; e iii) a análise funcional dos genes chaperona DnaJ e sec14 por meio de genética reversa mediante o silenciamento por RNAi. A análise de marcadores moleculares previamente mapeados nas regiões portadoras dos QTL permitiu identificar 127 genes candidatos cujos produtos foram mapeados nas rotas metabólicas correspondentes. Um subgrupo desses genes apresentou diferenças alélicas entre os progenitores da população utilizada para a identificação dos QTL. A análise de microssintenia revelou um alto grau de conservação na estrutura genômica, apresentando polimorfismos nas regiões codificantes e regulatórias, assim como no padrão de inserção de elementos de transposição. Baseado nessas diferenças, análises de expressão e funcionalidade putativa, dois genes foram escolhidos para a análise funcional utilizando a estratégia de RNA de interferência. Os resultados obtidos da avaliação fenotípica das plantas deficientes em chaperona DnaJ permitiram concluir que esta proteína, localizada nos cloroplastos, participa da regulação do metabolismo de açúcares, em particular na síntese de amido, controlando assim, a exportação de fotoassimilados. Já, a caracterização das linhagens silenciadas para o gene sec14, levou a postular que os conteúdos de tocoferol (VTE) nos frutos de tomate, não só dependem da regulação cinética das enzimas envolvidas na sua síntese, mas também da função da proteína do SEC14, não caracterizada em plantas até o momento. Essa proteína estaria envolvida no transporte de VTE entre os diferentes compartimentos do cloroplasto tendo impacto no equilíbrio oxidativo, na estrutura do plastídeo e, consequentemente, na biossíntese desta vitamina. Os resultados obtidos nesta tese reforçam a hipótese que o germoplasma selvagem constituem uma fonte de variabilidade a ser explorada para a identificação de determinantes genéticos que viabilizem novas estratégias de melhoramento de tomate por meio da manipulação do metabolismo central dos frutos. / This thesis addresses tomato fruit metabolism analysis by using three complementary approaches: i) the identification of candidate genes co-located with QTL previously described from metabolic profiles of S. lycopersicum (cv. M82) and S. pennellii introgressed lines, associated with industrial and nutritional quality traits; ii) the structural analyses of the genomic regions harboring the identified genes and ; iii) the functional analysis of the chaperone DnaJ and sec14 genes through reverse genetics mediated by iRNA silencing. The analysis of the molecular markers previously mapped onto the QTL-associated regions allowed the identification of 127 candidate genes whose products were mapped in the corresponding metabolic pathways. A subset of these genes showed allelic differences between the parental genotypes used for QTL identification. Based on these differences, together with the expression profile analysis and their putative function, two genes were selected for functional analysis using RNA interference approach. The phenotypic profile of the chaperone DnaJ deficient plants allowed to conclude that this protein, located in chloroplasts, participates in sugar metabolism, in particular, starch synthesis, controlling assimilates partitioning. The characterization of sec14-silenced transgenic lines leads to propose that fruit tocopherol (VTE) contents not only depend on the kinetic regulation of the biosynthesis-involved enzymes, but also on the SEC14 action, not yet characterized in plants. This protein might be involved in VTE transport between the different plastidial compartments thus, affecting oxidative balance, chloroplast structure and, consequently, VTE biosynthesis. All together these results support the hypothesis that wild germoplasm represents a remarkable source of variability to be explore aiming the identification of genetic determinants to develop new breeding approaches for tomato through metabolic engineering.