Dissertation
Pollination effects on strawberry fruit quality
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00117
Abstract
Cross-pollination affects the fruit characteristics of many crops, but little was known previously about the effects of cross-pollination on strawberry fruit quality. This thesis aimed to evaluate the effects of cross-pollination on yield and fruit quality of the strawberry cultivar, Redlands Joy. The thesis also evaluated the potential of hyperspectral imaging to estimate plant nutrient status and predict fruit yield. In particular, the thesis aimed to:
(1) evaluate the effects of manual cross-pollination with either Rubygem or Sugarbaby pollen, when compared with manual self-pollination or unassisted selfpollination (autogamy), on fruit yield and fruit quality when all flowers on each plant received either cross-pollen or self-pollen;
(2) evaluate the effects of cross-pollination on fruit mass and fruit quality when both cross-pollinated and self-pollinated fruit developed on the same plant;
(3) determine the consistency of cross-pollination effects on fruit mass and fruit quality across different levels of plant calcium nutrition;
(4) identify at what developmental stages cross-pollinated fruit differ in mass and quality from self-pollinated fruit, and whether differences in the mass of fruit are caused by differential accumulation of mineral nutrients; and
(5) assess hyperspectral imaging as a technique to rapidly estimate macronutrient concentrations in strawberry leaves, flowers and fruit and to predict yield.
Cross-pollination by either Rubygem or Sugarbaby did not affect Redlands Joy fruit yield or individual fruit mass significantly when cross-pollinated fruit and selfpollinated fruit developed on different plants. However, cross-pollinated fruit were 4.2– 7.5 % heavier than self-pollinated fruit when both types of fruit competed for resources on the same plant. Differences in mass and size between cross-pollinated and selfpollinated fruit occurred temporarily during early fruit development but emerged mainly during the final week of fruit ripening. The effects of cross-pollination on fruit mass and size were not the result of differences in mineral nutrient accumulation between crosspollinated and self-pollinated fruit.
Details
- Title
- Pollination effects on strawberry fruit quality
- Authors
- Dinh Dung Cao
- Contributors
- Steven Ogbourne (Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy
- Awarding institution
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Degree awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- DOI
- 10.25907/00117
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99597208602621
- Output Type
- Dissertation
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