Effect of fruit debagging before harvest on the accumulation of anthocyanins in peach (Prunus persica L.) fruit based on transcriptome analysis

To understand the genetic regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in peach (Prunus persica L.) fruit and the effects of pre-harvest debagging, the peels of two peach varieties (nectarine 'Zijinhong 2' and peach 'Xiahui 8') were used to explore the accumulation of anthocyanins using a transcriptomics approach. A total of 28,595 genes were expressed during the fruit ripening stage. In addition to increasing the expression of genes for invertase and hexokinase, debagging of 'Xiahui 8' increased the expression of genes involved in the synthesis of MBW complexes, and the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid pathways, which contributed to higher anthocyanin content. Similarly, debagging also increased the anthocyanin content of 'Zijinhong 2', due to the higher expression of genes participating in MYB synthesis, and the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid pathways. These genes related to anthocyanin biosynthesis are of great importance for molecular marker-assisted fruit crop breeding.

Automated summary

This study investigated the genetic regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in peach fruit and the effects of pre-harvest debagging. The results showed that debagging increased the expression of genes involved in the synthesis of MBW complexes, phenylpropanoid and flavonoid pathways, leading to higher anthocyanin content. These genes are of great importance for molecular marker-assisted fruit crop breeding.