Grape colour phenotyping: development of a method based on the reflectance spectrum

Area of Science:

• Plant science
• Agricultural science
• Genetics

Background:

• Fruit color is a key quality trait for cultivar classification and phenotyping.
• Traditional visual evaluation of fruit color is subjective.
• Objective, non-destructive methods are needed for accurate color assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an objective, fast, and non-destructive method for evaluating grape color.
• To support grape breeding programs, germplasm evaluation, and biodiversity preservation.
• To provide a reliable tool for characterizing grape plant traits.

Main Methods:

• Utilized reflectance spectra to analyze the colors of 120 grape varieties.
• Employed cluster and discriminant analysis for color classification.
• Compared berry surface reflectance with skin extract absorption properties.

Main Results:

• Developed a reliable phenotyping method based on reflectance spectra for grape color classification.
• Obtained a cultivar-independent index for evaluating pigment content.
• Demonstrated the effectiveness of spectral analysis for objective color assessment.

Conclusions:

• Successfully classified berry color using an objective, non-destructive method.
• Spectral analysis provides a robust approach for grape color phenotyping.
• This method aids in objective cultivar characterization and breeding efforts.