Apple fruit quality in the post-genomic er, from breeding new genotypes to post-harvest: nutrition and help

The project involves five major research areas structured into work packages WP1 to WP5 and a sixth work package for technology transfer and dissemination of the results. However within the WPs a number of sub topics from different areas of research (WP1 includes post genomics with re-sequencing and transcriptomics, plant metaboloimics and non-invasive fruit quality analysis, WP2 includes

molecular tools for marker assisted selection, pyramiding of resistance genes etc.). In total the following areas are covered:



- Plant genetics and genomics/transcriptomics with the identification of genes with agronomic relevance and marker development


- Plant resistance to pest and pathogens



- Plant metabolomics and fruit quality analysis with biochemical and technical methods



- Health property aspects considering allergenic potentials and useful nutrients



- Quality improvements by pre and postharvest measures of development and quality parameters




The project has a number of highly interesting work packages and avantages over other projects for the following reasons (just

examples):



1) WP1 makes use of the recently completed sequence of the apple genome a resource that is unique within the apple research community. Resequencing 10 apple genotype of importance for other projects aiming at cultivar improvement is a major step forward to develop tools for modern apple breeding.

2) A broad metabolomic approach within WP1 bears the realistic chance to detect metabolites responsible for the different

physiological states (disease resistance, fruit ripening, postharvest physiology) that are important throughout the production chain. Linked to information from segregating populations and broad variety collections functional roles of single metabolites may be unraveled.

3) Screenig for disease resistance and pyramiding resistance genes (WP2) is a prerequisite for sustainable apple production of the future. This WP in combination with WP1 bears the chance to make significant progress in this important field. It is also convincing as partners with excellent research record on apple resistance breeding and a high international profile are partners for this project.

4) Methods for influencing the pre-harvest process are presented that combine chemical, mechanical and genetic approaches for example for thinning which are an excellent combination of approaches.

5) The approaches to reduce allergenicity of apples are very interesting and will fill a gap in current knowledge about causing

agents of allergenicity. Although four apple allergens Mald1-4 are known, the relation between amount of protein, protein variants for the four allergens and the strength of the allergenic reaction is unknown so far. Therefore the results to be expected from this WP will fill an important gap in our knowledge about apple allergens. In particular this is of importance as some of the allergens seem to have a role in resistance of apples to pests and pathogens and sustainable disease management will be dependent on knowledge about correlations or linkages between these traits.