Integrating phenotypic analyses and color parameters: a multidimensional framework for precise color characterization...

Area of Science:

• Plant science
• Genetics
• Horticulture

Background:

• Accurate quantification of plant organ color is challenging for variety identification, especially with subtle color differences.
• Existing methods struggle with objective color characterization, impacting Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability (DUS) evaluations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an objective method for quantifying eggplant fruit color using colorimetric, phenotypic, and genomic data.
• To establish precise color parameters for eggplant variety identification and DUS testing.

Main Methods:

• Integrated colorimetric (CIELAB), phenotypic, and genomic analyses of 137 eggplant germplasm resources.
• Correlated CIELAB parameters with DNA fingerprinting and DUS guidelines.
• Utilized K-means clustering for color categorization.

Main Results:

• CIELAB parameters accurately represented eggplant fruit coloration and correlated with DNA fingerprinting.
• Color transitions during fruit ripening were effectively captured by CIELAB shifts.
• Defined distinct CIELAB ranges for purple (violet, red) and ripe (yellow, ochre, brown) fruit categories.

Conclusions:

• CIELAB parameters provide a robust, multidimensional approach for objective eggplant variety identification.
• This method enhances the reproducibility and accuracy of color-based DUS evaluations.
• Precise color ranges facilitate improved plant variety identification and breeding programs.