Comparative Analysis of Photosynthetic Traits, Yield, and Fruit Quality Among Different Chestnut Cultivars

This study aimed to compare the photosynthetic physiological traits, fruiting characteristics, and fruit quality of four different chestnut cultivars. The cultivars studied were ‘Yanshanzaofeng’ (YS), ‘Guangdedahongpao’ (GD), ‘Chang’anhuijianli’ (CA), and ‘Guizhouyouli’ (GZ). Leaf functional traits,...

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Main Authors: Yanyan Hou, Sujuan Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Agronomy
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/11/2635
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author Yanyan Hou
Sujuan Guo
author_facet Yanyan Hou
Sujuan Guo
author_sort Yanyan Hou
collection DOAJ
description This study aimed to compare the photosynthetic physiological traits, fruiting characteristics, and fruit quality of four different chestnut cultivars. The cultivars studied were ‘Yanshanzaofeng’ (YS), ‘Guangdedahongpao’ (GD), ‘Chang’anhuijianli’ (CA), and ‘Guizhouyouli’ (GZ). Leaf functional traits, photosynthetic activity, fruit setting characteristics, and both external and internal fruit quality indicators were measured. The results indicated significant differences in leaf traits among cultivars. Cultivar GD exhibited the largest leaf area and dry matter content, while cultivar GZ had the smallest. The photosynthetic rate (<i>Pn</i>) followed a bimodal curve, with an obvious ‘lunch break’ caused by stomatal limitations. Cultivar GD had the highest <i>Pn</i>, followed by CA, YS, and GZ. The water use efficiency (WUE) and CO<sub>2</sub> utilization of cultivar CA were notably superior, indicating its suitability for arid conditions. In terms of yield, cultivar GD had the highest bur, nut weight, and plant yield, followed by CA, YS, and GZ. The phenotypic quality of the fruit was also superior in cultivar GD. However, cultivar YS had the highest amylopectin and soluble sugar content, and cultivar GD had the greatest amylose, total starch, and fat content. Cultivars CA and YS exhibited better overall fruit quality than GZ. Correlation analysis revealed that single bur weight, single nut weight, and single plant yield all exhibited highly significant or significant positive correlations with <i>Pn</i>, stomatal conductance (<i>Gs</i>), intercellular CO<sub>2</sub> concentration (<i>Ci</i>), and the transpiration rate (<i>Tr</i>). The longitudinal diameter of burs showed a significant positive correlation with vitamin C (<i>Vc</i>), <i>Pn</i>, and <i>Gs</i>, with a correlation coefficient of 0.99. Additionally, both the transverse and longitudinal diameters of nuts were significantly positively associated with <i>Pn</i> and <i>Ci</i>. Furthermore, the total starch content and water content of nuts demonstrated a significant positive correlation with <i>Pn</i>. In conclusion, cultivar GD was found to be ideal for high-yield starch production, while cultivar YS offers superior sweet and waxy nut qualities. Cultivar CA presents a balance of photosynthetic capacity, yield, and quality, making it the second-best candidate. Cultivar GZ is unsuitable for large-scale cultivation.
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spelling doaj-art-290fb860e5ac475199b85e36de30ff5f2024-11-26T17:44:46ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952024-11-011411263510.3390/agronomy14112635Comparative Analysis of Photosynthetic Traits, Yield, and Fruit Quality Among Different Chestnut CultivarsYanyan Hou0Sujuan Guo1National Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, ChinaNational Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, ChinaThis study aimed to compare the photosynthetic physiological traits, fruiting characteristics, and fruit quality of four different chestnut cultivars. The cultivars studied were ‘Yanshanzaofeng’ (YS), ‘Guangdedahongpao’ (GD), ‘Chang’anhuijianli’ (CA), and ‘Guizhouyouli’ (GZ). Leaf functional traits, photosynthetic activity, fruit setting characteristics, and both external and internal fruit quality indicators were measured. The results indicated significant differences in leaf traits among cultivars. Cultivar GD exhibited the largest leaf area and dry matter content, while cultivar GZ had the smallest. The photosynthetic rate (<i>Pn</i>) followed a bimodal curve, with an obvious ‘lunch break’ caused by stomatal limitations. Cultivar GD had the highest <i>Pn</i>, followed by CA, YS, and GZ. The water use efficiency (WUE) and CO<sub>2</sub> utilization of cultivar CA were notably superior, indicating its suitability for arid conditions. In terms of yield, cultivar GD had the highest bur, nut weight, and plant yield, followed by CA, YS, and GZ. The phenotypic quality of the fruit was also superior in cultivar GD. However, cultivar YS had the highest amylopectin and soluble sugar content, and cultivar GD had the greatest amylose, total starch, and fat content. Cultivars CA and YS exhibited better overall fruit quality than GZ. Correlation analysis revealed that single bur weight, single nut weight, and single plant yield all exhibited highly significant or significant positive correlations with <i>Pn</i>, stomatal conductance (<i>Gs</i>), intercellular CO<sub>2</sub> concentration (<i>Ci</i>), and the transpiration rate (<i>Tr</i>). The longitudinal diameter of burs showed a significant positive correlation with vitamin C (<i>Vc</i>), <i>Pn</i>, and <i>Gs</i>, with a correlation coefficient of 0.99. Additionally, both the transverse and longitudinal diameters of nuts were significantly positively associated with <i>Pn</i> and <i>Ci</i>. Furthermore, the total starch content and water content of nuts demonstrated a significant positive correlation with <i>Pn</i>. In conclusion, cultivar GD was found to be ideal for high-yield starch production, while cultivar YS offers superior sweet and waxy nut qualities. Cultivar CA presents a balance of photosynthetic capacity, yield, and quality, making it the second-best candidate. Cultivar GZ is unsuitable for large-scale cultivation.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/11/2635chestnut yieldphotosynthetic traitsfruit qualitystarch contentsoluble sugar
spellingShingle Yanyan Hou
Sujuan Guo
Comparative Analysis of Photosynthetic Traits, Yield, and Fruit Quality Among Different Chestnut Cultivars
Agronomy
chestnut yield
photosynthetic traits
fruit quality
starch content
soluble sugar
title Comparative Analysis of Photosynthetic Traits, Yield, and Fruit Quality Among Different Chestnut Cultivars
title_full Comparative Analysis of Photosynthetic Traits, Yield, and Fruit Quality Among Different Chestnut Cultivars
title_fullStr Comparative Analysis of Photosynthetic Traits, Yield, and Fruit Quality Among Different Chestnut Cultivars
title_full_unstemmed Comparative Analysis of Photosynthetic Traits, Yield, and Fruit Quality Among Different Chestnut Cultivars
title_short Comparative Analysis of Photosynthetic Traits, Yield, and Fruit Quality Among Different Chestnut Cultivars
title_sort comparative analysis of photosynthetic traits yield and fruit quality among different chestnut cultivars
topic chestnut yield
photosynthetic traits
fruit quality
starch content
soluble sugar
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/11/2635
work_keys_str_mv AT yanyanhou comparativeanalysisofphotosynthetictraitsyieldandfruitqualityamongdifferentchestnutcultivars
AT sujuanguo comparativeanalysisofphotosynthetictraitsyieldandfruitqualityamongdifferentchestnutcultivars