Excessive nitrogen fertilizer yields less attractive apples: research
JINAN, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Waxiness significantly influences the luster of apples, and recent research by Chinese scientists has revealed the regulatory mechanism of nitrogen on the cuticular wax of apples. The findings suggest that an excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer inhibits wax accumulation, thereby affecting the "attractiveness" of apples.
Apples naturally develop a wax coating during their growth to help protect the fruit and retain moisture. A research team led by Li Yuanyuan, a professor at the Shandong Agricultural University, discovered a significant decrease in the wax content of both fruit and leaves in apple orchards where nitrogen fertilizer was excessively applied.
Subsequently, they selected and compared genetic materials from various apple samples collected from major apple-producing areas in Shandong, including the cities of Yantai, Zibo and Tai'an, and concluded that excessive nitrogen ultimately reduces wax accumulation on apples through a series of gene regulation pathways.
The findings also offer a theoretical basis for enhancing the defense of apples against biotic and abiotic stress, improving their color and luster, and extending shelf life, according to the researchers.
Related articles
Confidence of US consumers continues to decline as Americans worry about the future
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumer confidence deteriorated for the third straight month as Americans co2024-05-01China floods: Beijing records heaviest rainfall in at least 140 years
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here2024-05-01Hong Kong waste levy to come into effect next April
The Hong Kong government will begin charging residents for rubbish disposal in April next year, mont2024-05-01VOX POPULI: Seven years on, the Moritomo Gakuen scandal still unexplained
“Spotlight” is a 2015 U.S. film based on a true story of The Boston Globe’s team of reporters exposi2024-05-01North Carolina shootout that killed 4 law officers began as task force tried to serve a warrant
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A shootout that killed four law enforcement officers and wounded four others2024-05-01Second dog infected with rare parasite babesia gibsoni
Photo:2024-05-01
atest comment