Molecular Identification and Characterization of Botrytis spp.from Strawberry in Morocco

S. Hammoumi¹²*, F. Bentata¹, H. Khalifi¹², S. Karim¹³, I. Maafa¹², F. Elwahab², F. Gaboun¹, N. Brhadda², R. Ziri² and M. Labhilili¹*

¹National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Rabat, B.P. 6356, Institutes, Rabat 10101, Morocco
²Plant and Animal Production and Agro-industry Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University, B.P. 242, 14000, Kenitra, Morocco
³Laboratory of Spectroscopy, Molecular Modeling, Materials, Nanomaterials, Water and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University of Rabat, Av Ibn Battouta, BP1014, Agdal, Morocco
*Correspondence: soukaina.hammoumi1@uit.ac.ma; labhililim@gmail.com

Abstract:

Botrytis cinerea is a highly destructive infection, responsible for gray mold in small fruit crops such as strawberries, it causes pre and post-harvest losses. Identification of this pathogen is the first step to control it. The purpose of the present study was to identify Botrytis species, characterize and assess genetic diversity of gray mold pathogen populations from strawberry in Morocco using molecular markers. Sixty-eight isolates were obtained from infected fruits of 14 different geographic origins in Morocco, DNA was extracted and the isolates were identified using Bc108⁺/Bc563⁻ and NEP2 sequences variability. To differentiate between groups N and S genotypes of Botrytis spp., two primer pairs were used (BcinN_–in_–F/R and Mrr1^_spez^_F/R). Presence of transposable elements (TE) boty, flipper and 9 microsatellites (SSR) were used to examine genetic diversity of the isolates. In our population, forty-seven isolates were identified as B. cinerea. Data indicated that 26% of isolates were attributed to groups S and 31% to N. It also showed that 32% of the isolates possessed flipper genotype, followed by transposa (28%), boty (21%) and vacuma (19%). Analysis of 68 Botrytis spp. isolates by SSR showed a high level of genetic diversity indices among populations of which the isolates clustered into seven genetic groups. Data showed genetic diversity in Botrytis spp. populations from Morocco. Identification of the pathogen and knowledge of its genetic diversity enable optimal and effective disease management.

Key words:

Botrytis cinerea, Genetic diversity, grey mold, microsatellites, strawberries, transposable elements

Fruit responses to postharvest heat treatment time: characterisation of heat-treated strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) cv. ‘Candonga’ fruits

M. Musto¹ and M. L. Satriano²

¹Metapontum Agrobios S.r.l., s.s. 106 Jonica Km 448.2, 75010 Metaponto (MT), Italy;
e-mail: mauro.musto@gmail.com
²Freelance researcher

Abstract:

Strawberries cv. ‘Candonga’ were heat-treated in an air oven (45°C) for 0.2 and 4 h,
and then stored at 0°C for 2 days. One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences in terms of
physical and chemical quality properties due to heat treatment time (P=0.000). In particular, as
treatment time increased, strawberries showed a significant decrease of weight, firmness,
redness (a*), yellowness (b*) and colour saturation (chroma). Additionally, the fruits were
darker (lower L* value) after 2 h of treatment and lighter after 4 h (higher L* value). Among
chemical quality properties, ph and soluble solids content (SSC) increased during treatments,
whereas vitamin C content (TAA) decreased. After 4 h of treatment, total anthocyanins and total
soluble phenolics (TSP) significantly decreased and increased, respectively. Principal
component analysis (PCA) was executed on the correlation matrix of significant variables. Two
principal components were extracted, explaining the 73.38% of the data variance. PC1 (60.15%
variance) was associated with most of the physical and chemical variables, whereas PC2
(13.23% variance) was associated with fruit lightness. PCA was found to be of value in
obtaining a visual representation of fruit samples based on heat treatment time.

Key words: