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Abscisic acid promotes sweet cherry fruit cracking dependent on cell wall disassembly
Ruie Liu1, Li Wang1, Zixing Sun1
1School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Cherry, Shanghai 200240, China.
Food Research International (Ottawa, Ont.)
|May 22, 2026
Summary
Fruit cracking in cherries is reduced by understanding how cell wall integrity and abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation influence susceptibility. This research identifies key genes and transcription factors for breeding more resilient cherry varieties.
Area of Science:
- Plant physiology
- Molecular genetics
- Agricultural science
Background:
- Fruit cracking is a major physiological disorder affecting fleshy fruit quality and market value.
- The molecular mechanisms governing fruit cracking, particularly in cherries, are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the regulatory network controlling cherry fruit cracking using integrated analyses.
- To identify key genetic and hormonal factors involved in cherry fruit cracking susceptibility.
Main Methods:
- Physiological assessments and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor water accumulation.
- Exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) treatment to study its effect on fruit cracking and gene expression.
- Transcriptome profiling to identify differentially expressed genes and transcription factors in cracking vs. non-cracking cherries.
Main Results:
- Identified specific sweet cherry cultivars with varying cracking resistance.
- MRI showed rapid internal water accumulation preceding cracking.
- ABA treatment induced cracking and upregulated cell wall-modifying genes (PavPG30, PavPL11, PavEXP15).
- Candidate transcription factors (PavERF113-like, PavWRKY37, PavMYB34) were upregulated in cracking fruits, linking ABA signaling to cell wall modification.
Conclusions:
- Cell wall integrity and abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation are critical factors in cherry fruit cracking.
- Identified potential molecular targets and strategies for breeding cherry varieties with reduced cracking susceptibility.
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