Three-dimensional fruit growth analysis clarifies developmental mechanisms underlying complex shape diversity in...

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Horticulture
• Genetics

Background:

• Fruit shape and size are crucial in horticulture and developmental biology.
• Genotype significantly influences the 3D geometric features of fruits.
• Limited studies have comprehensively visualized and quantified fruit shape variations during development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate persimmon (Diospyros kaki) fruit development using high-resolution 3D scanning.
• To precisely measure shape features and identify key developmental stages influencing mature fruit attributes.
• To explore the genetic and molecular basis of complex shape variations, particularly vertical grooves.

Main Methods:

• Acquisition of 2380 high-resolution 3D models from 51 persimmon cultivars.
• Automated measurement of fruit shape features (grooves, length-to-width ratio, roundness).
• Transcriptome analysis of groove and non-groove tissues to identify gene co-expression networks.

Main Results:

• Identified key developmental stages determining mature fruit shape attributes.
• Discovered genetic diversity in vertical groove development, influenced by carpel fusion zone expansion.
• Transcriptome analysis linked gene co-expression networks and YABBY homologs to groove depth variation.

Conclusions:

• Complex shape traits in persimmon fruit follow deterministic patterns.
• Differential tissue growth patterns are primary drivers of both vertical and horizontal groove formation.
• YABBY homologs represent a potential key molecular pathway influencing vertical groove depth.