Nutrient management modulates lignin accumulation in pomelo fruits: insights from metabolic pathways of guaiacyl lignin and p-hydroxyphenyl lignin.
Lai C, Xu Y, Hu Y, Yu P, Wang H
Crop Improvement
PubMedIf you grow citrus or buy pomelos at the market, the amount of fertilizer used on the soil directly determines whether that fruit is juicy and tender or disappointingly dry and stringy.
Pomelo fruits sometimes develop a tough, woody texture inside that makes them unpleasant to eat — this is caused by a natural plant material called lignin building up in the juice sacs. Researchers discovered that when there's too much phosphorus (a common fertilizer ingredient) in the soil, certain genes get switched on that ramp up lignin production, making the fruit tougher. By carefully managing how much phosphorus is applied to the soil, growers can keep those genes quieter and produce juicier, better-tasting pomelos.
Key Findings
Higher phosphorus levels in fruit tissue showed a significant positive correlation with increased lignin content in pomelo juice sacs, with soil available phosphorus identified as the key driver.
Two specific types of lignin — guaiacyl (G) and p-hydroxyphenyl (H) — dominated pomelo fruit, and nutrient treatment reduced their building-block alcohols (coniferyl and p-coumaryl alcohol) under controlled fertilization.
Three gene families (LAC, C3H, and PER) showed significant changes in expression under different phosphorus regimes, revealing the molecular mechanism linking fertilizer management to fruit texture.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Too much phosphorus in the soil causes pomelo fruit to become woody and tough by triggering lignin buildup in the juice sacs. Controlling soil phosphorus levels through targeted fertilization can keep pomelo fruit tender and high quality.
Abstract Preview
Lignification is a critical factor contributing to quality deterioration in pomelo (Citrus grandis) fruits. This study investigated the impact of nutrient management on fruit lignification using 'S...
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The pomelo, also known as a shaddock, is the largest citrus fruit. It is an ancestor of several cultivated citrus species, including the bitter orange and the grapefruit. It is a natural, non-hybrid citrus fruit, native to Southeast Asia. Similar in taste to a sweet grapefruit, the pomelo is comm...