Inger Martinussen

Head of Department/Head of Research

(+47) 976 78 488
inger.martinussen@nibio.no

Place
Tromsø

Visiting address
Holtvegen 66, 9016 Tromsø

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Abstract

Vaccinium berries include several economically important cultivated and wild species such as blueberries, cranberries, bilberries and lingonberries. These species are recognized for the various health beneficial properties, which are generally linked to the high yields and the complex profile of flavonoids in the berries, including anthocyanin, proanthocyanidin, and flavonol classes of flavonoids. Anthocyanins are one of the main pigments in plants contributing to the characteristic reddish to bluish colours in flowers and fruits. Most important anthocyanins are glucosides of six common aglycons: cyanidins, delphinidins, pelargonidins, petunidins, peonidins and malvidins. Of these, delphinidin branch anthocyanins, namely delphinidins, petunidins, and malvidins are responsible of bluish colours in blue Vaccinium berries. The biosynthesis of anthocyanins has been intensively studied, and the structural enzyme genes responsible of the specific steps of the pathway have been characterised also in diverse Vaccinium species. For the delphinidin branch, flavanone 3’5’ hydroxylase (F3’5’H) is the key enzyme for the branching point towards bluish anthocyanins. Our recent results both from controlled and field experiments have revealed new information on the key regulators controlling the different branches of the anthocyanin biosynthesis in blue-coloured berries. Transcriptome analyses combined with metabolite results have identified signaling routes leading to increase in delphinidin branch anthocyanins. Our results show that the anthocyanin composition in blue Vaccinium berries could be modified by specific environmental factors.

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Abstract

Wild lingonberries are a traditional source of food in the Nordic countries and an important contributor to economic activity of non-wood forest products in the region. Lingonberries are a rich source of bioactive compounds and can be a valuable contributor to a healthy diet. However, there are few studies available on how the bioactive compounds in lingonberries develop as they ripen. In this investigation, we examined the content of 27 phenolic compounds, three sugars, four organic acids, and 71 volatile organic compounds at five ripening stages. The study showed that, while the highest content of phenolic compounds was found early in the development, the organoleptic quality of the fruits improved as they ripened. From the first to the last stage of development, anthocyanins went from being nearly absent to 100 mg/100 g fw, and there was an increased content of sugars from 2.7 to 7.2 g/100 g fw, whereas the content of organic acids decreased from 4.9 to 2.7 g/100 g fw, and there were several changes in the profile of volatiles. The contents of flavonols, cinnamic acid derivatives, flavan-3-ols, and the total concentration of phenolic compounds were significantly lower in the fully ripe berries compared to berries in the early green stage. In addition to the changes occurring due to ripening, there was observed variation in the profile of both phenolic compounds and volatiles, depending on the growth location of the berries. The present data are useful for the assessment of harvest time to obtain the desired quality of lingonberries.

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Abstract

Lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) from two locations, northern (69°N, 18°E) and southern (59°N, 10°E) Norway, were grown under controlled conditions in a phytotron at two temperatures (9 and 15 °C) to study the effects of the ripening temperature and origin on the chemical composition of the berries. The concentrations of phenolic compounds, sugars, and organic acids as well as the profile of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were determined using chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods. Five anthocyanins, eleven flavonols, eight cinnamic acid derivatives, three flavan-3-ols, three sugars, three organic acids, and 77 VOCs were identified, of which 40 VOCs had not previously been reported in lingonberries. Berries from both locations, were found to have higher contents of anthocyanins and cinnamic acid derivatives when ripened at lower temperature (9 °C), compared to the higher temperature (15 °C). Lingonberries of northern origin had a different VOC profile and higher contents of anthocyanins and organic acids than berries originating from the south. Lingonberries from the northern location also had higher proportions of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside than lingonberries from the southern location. The results show that the composition of lingonberries is influenced by both the environment and the origin of the plants, with phenolic compounds mainly influenced by the growth temperature and VOCs mainly influenced by plant origin.

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Abstract

Lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) have received much positive attention due to their exotic taste and high phenolic content. These small red fruits grow across Norway, a country with large variations in abiotic and biotic growth conditions. The large variations in abiotic and biotic growth conditions have potential to influence quality and availability of lingonberries. A three-year study (2019-2021) with 64 field plots across Norway have therefore been set up, with the aim of studying the effect of climate and growth conditions on lingonberries. Here, anthocyanin content in berries from the first growth season is presented. Eight locations across Norway (58 to 69°N) with supposed high production potential of lingonberries were selected. Within each location, eight stands (250 m2) with different biotic conditions were chosen. Berries from each sector were lyophilised and extracted with 70% methanol. Phenolic compounds were analysed by HPLC-DAD-MSn, with quantification of anthocyanin at 520 nm and MS used for identification. The three major anthocyanins in Norwegian lingonberries were cyanidin-3-galactoside (69-90%), -arabinoside (6-23%) and 
-glucoside (2-10%). Additionally, small quantities of three other cyanidin glycosides were preliminarily identified. The total content of anthocyanins in lingonberries ranged from approximately 320 to 790 mg 100 g‑1 dw. There appears to be a variation in anthocyanin concentration linked to latitude. However, as the variation was as large within the stands of each location as they were between the locations, different growth factors would also play key parts in synthesis of anthocyanins in lingonberries. Results from analysis of berries collected in 2020 and 2021 are necessary to have the basis to draw a conclusion on how biotic and abiotic factors influence anthocyanin content of lingonberries.

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Abstract

Lingonberry is an evergreen dwarf shrub abundant in the area of Nordic countries and a food traditionally regarded as a staple of Nordic diets. There is however limited commercial harvest of these readily available berries. The objective of this doctoral thesis is to investigate how the composition Norwegian lingonberries vary and is affected by abiotic and biotic growth conditions. The thesis consists of four papers of which three studies were conducted in controlled conditions investigating the effects of ripening, light conditions, and temperature during ripening on the composition of the targeted compounds in lingonberries. The fourth paper of the thesis investigates the variation in composition of wild Norwegian lingonberries and how different environmental factors influence this composition. In lingonberries, in total 29 phenolic compounds, sucrose, glucose and fructose as well as 4 organic acids and 77 volatile organic compounds were detected.. In the controlled studies time of harvest significantly influenced the quality of the lingonberries. Spectral light composition with supplemental blue wavelengths increased the content of anthocyanins, and slightly influenced the ratio of sugars to organic acids. There was only a limited effect of light intensity on the content of anthocyanins in lingonberries. Berries grown at lower temperatures had a higher content of anthocyanins and organic acids, whereas the other phenolic compounds were not significantly influenced. Latitude and temperature had the most significant effect on the content of anthocyanins in lingonberries. While light conditions only slightly influence berry quality, factors such as amount of precipitation during ripening, the density of deciduous trees, and altitude also significantly influenced berry quality. Precipitation influenced the content of organic acids in the field study. The result from this study further strengthens the evidence that lingonberries are a rich source for dietary polyphenols, and that berry quality increases with later harvest times. High quality lingonberries can be found across the country with large variation within local areas. The combination of field experiments and controlled experiments showed that weather conditions during ripening, latitude and density of deciduous trees all influence berry quality.

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Abstract

Wild berries are abundant in health-beneficial bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, carotenoids, vitamins, and polyphenolic compounds, which accumulate during the fruit ripening process. Interestingly, wild Vaccinium berries from northern latitudes are found to contain more bioactive compounds compared to southern clones. The genetic adaptation is most likely favoured by environmental conditions, such as extended day length, cool temperatures and light spectral qualities. The molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of secondary metabolite biosynthesis in response to light quality have been scarcely explored in Vaccinium berries. The present study is focused on gaining knowledge on the regulatory process under supplemental red and blue light in non-climacteric wild bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.). Controlled experiments were carried out in phytotrons with local Norwegian ecotypes of bilberry, which were subjected from early to late ripening stages to continuous exposure to specific red and blue wavelengths provided by light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Berry samples from mid-ripening stage were utilized for the gene expression analysis based on RNA-seq transcriptome profiling. Our recent analyses from the transcriptome data set have shown that light wavelengths induce the anthocyanin biosynthetic genes, resulting in higher delphinidin accumulation in ripe bilberries. The enhanced secondary metabolic pathways influenced by such light qualities and the differential expression patterns in light-reaction centers as observed in various subunit complexes of photosystem I and II in the photosynthetic apparatus are briefly discussed in this study. This is crucial in order to study how plants acclimatize to modified light environment in terms of photosynthesis. The differences in expression of hormone signal transduction pathway genes were also discussed. The results will contribute to a better understanding of the light-mediated biosynthesis of phytochemicals in Vaccinium berries.

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Abstract

Almost 95% of the area in Norway is wilderness and 38% of the land area is covered by woods. These areas are abundant in valuable renewable resources, including wild berries. In our neighbouring countries, Sweden and Finland, wild berries are already a big industry. At the same time, on the market the Norwegian wild berries are almost non-existent and berries are left unexploited. Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) is one of the most abundant and economically important wild berries in the Nordic countries. Nevertheless, lingonberry has a large untapped potential due to its unique health effects and potential for increased value creation. It is estimated that 111,500 t of lingonberry are produced in the Norwegian woods. Norway is a long and diverse country with a range of climatic conditions. Adaptations to different conditions can give differences in both yield and quality of wild berries. Yields vary enormously from year to year and among different locations. A steady supply, predictable volumes and high quality are vital for successful commercialization of wild berries. To increase the utilization of berries, there is a need for increased knowledge regarding availability and quality variation of the berries. In addition, the Norwegian market suffers from high labour costs and cannot compete in product price. Innovative solutions and new knowledge on quality aspects can open possibilities for value creation. Toward achieving this goal, we have created a project called “WildBerries”, the main objective of which is to produce research-based knowledge that will create the basis for increased commercial utilization of Norwegian wild berries.

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Abstract

Light spectral quality is known to affect flavonoid biosynthesis during fruit ripening. However, the response of fruits to different light conditions, when ripening autonomously from the parent plant (detached), has been less explored. In this study, we analyzed the effect of light quality on detached and naturally ripening (attached) non-climacteric wild bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) fruits accumulating high amounts of anthocyanins and flavonols. Our results indicated contrasting responses for the accumulation of phenolic compounds in the berries in response to red and blue light treatments. For detached berries, supplemental blue light resulted in the highest accumulation of anthocyanins, while naturally ripening berries had elevated accumulation under supplemental red light treatment. Both red and blue supplemental light increased the expression levels of all the major structural genes of the flavonoid pathway during ripening. Notably, the key regulatory gene of anthocyanin biosynthesis, VmMYBA1, was found to express fivefold higher under blue light treatment in the detached berries compared to the control. The red light treatment of naturally ripening berries selectively increased the delphinidin branch of anthocyanins, whereas in detached berries, blue light increased other anthocyanin classes along with delphinidins. In addition, red and far-red light had a positive influence on the accumulation of flavonols, especially quercetin and myricetin glycoside derivatives, in both ripening conditions. Our results of differential light effects on attached and detached berries, which lacks signaling from the mother plant, provide new insights in understanding the light-mediated regulatory mechanisms in non-climacteric fruit ripening.

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Abstract

In total, 154 wild raspberry samples were collected from 26 localities representing a large area in Norway (21 localities) and a narrowly defined region of the Giant Mountains in the northern parts of the Czech Republic (5 localities). The samples were characterized for genetic diversity and population differentiation as well as for their potential use in crop breeding. Choice of plant material was based on the biogeographical similarity between the Giant Mountains and relevant areas in Norway, where plant communities may have evolved in parallel since the ice ages. The overall level of genetic diversity ĥ = 0.786, I = 2.153 was high. Numerous rare alleles were found for raspberries originating especially from the East Giant Mountains populations Jeleni louky and Krakonosuv lom. The overall degree of population subdivision measured by Wright’s fixation index (FST) was of a moderate level of 0.28. The highest level 0.33 was found between populations in Northern Norway and 0.31 between populations in the Giant Mountains. The genetic structure was evaluated using Bayesian analyses as implemented using STRUCTURE software. According to the ΔK value, eight clusters (K8) were identified among all the analysed samples. The results of the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that 79.7% of the total variation could be attributed to differences among individuals within populations, 15.3% was credited to differences among populations within regions, and only 5.0% was attributed to differences among regions. We concluded based on the results that Czech and Norwegian raspberry (R. idaeus) populations growing in natural high altitude and northern ecosystems are important genetic resources and represent a valuable source of genes and unique allele compositions for in situ and ex situ conservation and future raspberry breeding programmes.

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Abstract

Bilberry fruit is regarded as one of the best natural sources of anthocyanins and is widely explored for its health-beneficial compounds. Besides anthocyanins, one of the major attributes that determine the berry quality is the accumulation of sugars that provide sweetness and flavor to ripening fruit. In this study, we have identified 25 sugar metabolism-related genes in bilberry, including invertases (INVs), hexokinases (HKs), fructokinases (FKs), sucrose synthases (SSs), sucrose phosphate synthases (SPSs), and sucrose phosphate phosphatases (SPPs). The results indicate that isoforms of the identified genes are expressed differentially during berry development, suggesting specialized functions. The highest sugar content was found in ripe berries, with fructose and glucose dominating accompanied by low sucrose amount. The related enzyme activities during berry development and ripening were further analyzed to understand the molecular mechanism of sugar accumulation. The activity of INVs in the cell wall and vacuole increased toward ripe berries. Amylase activity involved in starch metabolism was not detected in unripe berries but was found in ripe berries. Sucrose resynthesizing SS enzyme activity was detected upon early ripening and had the highest activity in ripe berries. Interestingly, our transcriptome data showed that supplemental irradiation with red and blue light triggered upregulation of several sugar metabolism-related genes, including α- and β-amylases. Also, differential expression patterns in responses to red and blue light were found across sucrose, galactose, and sugar-alcohol metabolism. Our enzymological and transcriptional data provide new understanding of the bilberry fruit sugar metabolism having major effect on fruit quality.

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Abstract

Cuticle is the first layer protecting plants against external biotic and abiotic factors and is responsive to climatic factors as well as determined by genetic adaptations. In this study, the chemical composition of bilberry fruit cuticular wax was investigated through a latitudinal gradient from Latvia (56°N 24°E) through Finland (65°N 25°E) to northern Norway (69°N 18°E) in two seasons 2018 and 2019. Changes in the major cuticular wax compounds, including triterpenoids, fatty acids, alkanes, aldehydes, ketones, and primary alcohols, were detected by GC-MS analysis. Generally, a decreasing trend in the proportion of triterpenoids from southern to northern latitudes, accompanied with an increase in proportion of fatty acids, aldehydes, and alkanes, in bilberry fruit cuticular wax was observed. A correlation analysis between climatic factors with proportion of wax compounds indicated that temperature was the main factor affecting the cuticular wax composition in bilberries. A controlled phytotron experiment with southern and northern bilberry ecotypes confirmed the major effect of temperature on bilberry fruit cuticular wax load and composition. Elevated temperature increased wax load most in berries of northern ecotypes. The level of triterpenoids was higher, while levels of fatty acids and alkanes were lower, in wax of bilberry fruits ripened at 18°C compared to 12°C in both northern and southern ecotypes. Based on our results, it can be postulated that the predicted increase in temperature due to climate change leads to alterations in fruit cuticular wax load and composition. In northern ecotypes, the alterations were especially evident.

Abstract

Agroforestry can be defined as sustainable and multifunctional land-use systems where trees are managed together with agricultural crops or livestock on the same piece of land. This definition fits with how the outfield has been managed in generations in Norway. The Norwegian outfields are a multifunctional land-use system. In the northern periphery area, agroforestry has a long history with woodland grazing, reindeer husbandry and gathering of different non-wood forest resources as herbs, mushrooms, and berries. Traditional agroforestry has gradually disappeared during the 20th century with the intensification of agriculture and forestry. Currently agroforestry systems are gaining new interest, not only from farmers but also from politicians, as this practice can possibly contribute to a more sustainable way of agricultural production. In the northern periphery area, the benefits of agroforestry practices can be manifold not only promoting traditional practices, but also novel systems with the use of new technology. In addition, agroforestry has environmental benefits as a method for conservation and enhancement of biodiversity, improved nutrient cycling, and water quality. Soil humus layer will also increase with several agroforestry systems leading to carbon sequestration. The Norwegian population of 5.3 mill populate an area of 323805 km2. The mainland of Norway is 323805 km2 while Svalbard and Jan Mayen represent 61022 and 377 km2, respectively. Number of persons per km2 are 14, however, as much as 82% of the Norwegian population inhabits cities/densely populated areas. These figures tell us that Norway have a large outfield with forests and mountains. The biggest owner of Norwegian outfield1 is the Norwegian state by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The state-owned enterprise Statskog SF is set to administer the property, that alone consist of about 23% of the total outfield-area of Norway. Almost 80% of the state-owned property is above the treeline and covers mountains and alpine grassland who are valuable grazing resources for reindeer herders and local farmers. Most of the forests are also used as grazing areas for local farmers and reindeer herders. The state-owned property in the southern Norway are managed as commons, where locals have rights in commons, typically this is right to graze, hunt and fish on the state ground. In the northern part of Norway, the grazing-rights are defined as user-rights and technically not rights in commons while the right to hunt, fish and gathering of berries and herbs etc. is an “all-mans-right”.

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Abstract

Organic agriculture is acquiring increased attention in Armenia with numerous projects and initiatives prioritizing production of ecologically clean agricultural products. Application of organic fertilizers is one of the key factors supporting sustainable organic production of fruits and vegetables, which requires knowledge of fertilization regimes adapted to crop types for achieving optimum productivity. The present study evaluates the effect of the organic fertilizer “Bioklad” (Bioklad Ltd.) on growth and development of strawberry plantlets. Three concentrations of the organic fertilizer, 1:400, 1:200 and 1:100 dilutions of the concentrate were tested. Plantlets of the cultivar ‘Sonata’ were grown for nine weeks in pots under controlled conditions in a phytotron. Yield, biomass and total phenolic content were not significantly different between Bioklad application treatments. Nevertheless, the Bioklad at the intermediate dilution 1:200 was most optimal for strawberry growth. The analysis of chemical composition of leaves indicated that nitrogen content was higher in plants grown at the lowest dilution (1:100) of Bioklad. In addition, plantlets had the lowest phenolic content at this treatment. Based on the presented results of Bioklad’s effect on strawberry plantlets growth, cost/value insight of this organic fertilizer has been estimated.

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Abstract

The biosynthesis of anthocyanins has been shown to be influenced by light quality. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the light-mediated regulation of fruit anthocyanin biosynthesis are not well understood. In this study, we analysed the effects of supplemental red and blue light on the anthocyanin biosynthesis in non-climacteric bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.). After 6 days of continuous irradiation during ripening, both red and blue light elevated concentration of anthocyanins, up to 12- and 4-folds, respectively, compared to the control. Transcriptomic analysis of ripening berries showed that both light treatments up-regulated all the major anthocyanin structural genes, the key regulatory MYB transcription factors and abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthetic genes. However, higher induction of specific genes of anthocyanin and delphinidin biosynthesis alongside ABA signal perception and metabolism were found in red light. The difference in red and blue light signalling was found in 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED), ABA receptor pyrabactin resistance-like (PYL) and catabolic ABA-8'hydroxylase gene expression. Red light also up-regulated expression of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) domain transporters, which may indicate involvement of these proteins in vesicular trafficking of anthocyanins during fruit ripening. Our results suggest differential signal transduction and transport mechanisms between red and blue light in ABA-regulated anthocyanin and delphinidin biosynthesis during bilberry fruit ripening.

Abstract

Rhodiola rosea is a highly valued herbal medicinal plant. It is growing wild in most parts of Norway and mountainous areas around the world. The marker compounds are salidroside, cinnamyl alcohol, glycosides (rosine, rosavine, rosarine), flavonoids (rhodionin, rhodiosin, rhodiolin) and terpens (Galambosi 1999), where the rosavins are unique to R. rosea. In Norway, germplasm collections of R. rosea are maintained by NIBIO; at Apelsvoll in Southern Norway, consisting of 97 different clones. The ranges in content of secondary metabolites in the collection are for rosavin 2.90-85.95 mg g-1, salidroside 0.03-12.85 mg g-1, rosin 0.08-4.75 mg g-1, tyrosol 0.04-2.15 mg g-1 and cinnamyl alcohol 0.02-1.18 mg g-1. A number of different studies have been performed on how biotic and abiotic factors affects the yield of the roots as well the content in metabolites. We find that the flowering of the plant is dependent on cool temperatures during dormancy and thus climatic changes may affect the plant development as well as the production of metabolites. Studies performed in Norway as well as between European countries shows that geographical location affects the content of metabolites and here also variation in clones are a player. In the present presentation results from these and more studies will be presented. Also comprising results on the effect of white-, blue- and red light on the growth and chemical composition of greenhouse grown plants.

Abstract

Agroforestry can be defined as sustainable and multifunctional land-use systems where trees are managed together with agricultural crops or livestock on the same piece of land. In the northern periphery area, agroforestry has a long history with woodland grazing, reindeer husbandry and gathering of different non-wood forest resources as herbs, mushrooms and berries. Traditional agroforestry has gradually disappeared during the 20th century with the intensification of agriculture and forestry. Currently agroforestry systems are gaining new interest, not only from farmers but also from politicians, as this practice can possibly contribute to a more sustainable way of agricultural production. In the northern periphery area, the benefits of agroforestry practices can be manifold not only promoting traditional practices, but also novel systems with the use of new technology. In addition, agroforestry has environmental benefits as a method for conservation and enhancement of biodiversity, improved nutrient cycling, and water quality. Soil humus layer will also increase with several agroforestry systems leading to carbon sequestration. Here we present an overview of agroforestry practices in the Nordic countries and the use of non-wood forest resources with the emphasis on wild berries.

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Abstract

The aerial parts of land plants are covered by a hydrophobic layer called cuticle that limits non-stomatal water loss and provides protection against external biotic and abiotic stresses. The cuticle is composed of polymer cutin and wax comprising a mixture of very-long-chain fatty acids and their derivatives, while also bioactive secondary metabolites such as triterpenoids are present. Fleshy fruits are also covered by the cuticle, which has an important protective role during the fruit development and ripening. Research related to the biosynthesis and composition of cuticles on vegetative plant parts has largely promoted the research on cuticular waxes in fruits. The chemical composition of the cuticular wax varies greatly between fruit species and is modified by developmental and environmental cues affecting the protective properties of the wax. This review focuses on the current knowledge of the cuticular wax biosynthesis during fleshy fruits development, and on the effect of environmental factors in regulation of the biosynthesis. Bioactive properties of fruit cuticular waxes are also briefly discussed, as well as the potential for recycling of industrial fruit residues as a valuable raw material for natural wax to be used in food, cosmetics and medicine.

Abstract

There is a large industrial demand for wax. The market is dominated by synthetic waxes. In contrast to the synthetic wax natural waxes are renewable and thus contribute to sustainalbe processes and reduced carbon emission. In Scandinavia side streams from Wild berries is an interesting candidate for wax production.

Abstract

Numerous species of wild berries are abundant in the Nordic forests, mountains and peat lands. They ripen throughout the early summer until late autumn. Both lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), that are among the most picked wild berries, are characteristic field layer species in boreal forests. Other species that have potential of better exploitation are cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus), crowberry (Empeterum nigrum), bog blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum), arctic bramble (Rubus arcticus), wild strawberries/woodland strawberries (Fragaria vesca) and wild raspberries (Rubus idaeus). Here we present a mini-review about properties and potentials of Nordic wild berries.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Interest in the wild berries of dwarf shrubs (wild berries) is increasing. Therefore, an update is important regarding how these species react to and interact with different climatic factors, and on how the predicted climatic changes will affect their distribution, growth and content of compounds affecting health. OBJECTIVE: To systemize knowledge of the Ericaceae and Empetraceae wild berry species. METHODS: A review of literature covering the above topics. CONCLUSION: This review includes five wild berry species and their subspecies: Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Vaccinium uliginosum, Vaccinium oxycoccos with ssp. microcarpon, and Empetrum nigrum with ssp. nigrum, hermaphroditum and japonicum. They have been and still are collected in the wild, by local households and industry. The berries have high content of biological compounds of interest for human health. Despite the increasing interest in and demand for these wild berries, domestication attempts have been rare. The species often grow together and are competitors. Which species dominate depends on soil conditions and is determined by small differences. The changing climate and various disturbances will also influence the distribution patterns of wild berries and competing plant species. Semi-cultivation in the natural habitat is probably the best solution for viable and sustainable commercial exploitation of these resources, at least if they are sold with the label “wild berries”. However, these species are easily propagated by fresh cuttings, and they can grow on arable land, adapting soil conditions to fit their growing preferences. Such cultivation, to our knowledge has not yet been performed on a large economic scale.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are increasing demands for wild berries not only for various food and beverage products, but also in cosmetics and for extraction of various biochemical compounds. The newly funded project “WILDBERRIES” (Norwegian Research Council) will focus on predictability of yield and quality of lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis - idaea). With characteristics like taste, secondary metabolites with health properties, versatility and preservative properties there is a great potential for value creation. It is estimated that the annual crop of lingonberries in Norway is 115,000 tones, most of it non-exploited. One of the key challenges for further commercialization is access to the raw material. The Norwegian topography are challenging for the logistic around harvesting. However, the same landscape can possibly give unique qualities. The availability and quality of wild berry yields vary from year to year and from locations to location. Yields are affected by climatic conditions years in advance, during the ripening and condition and management of the forest. OBJECTIVE: WILDBERRIES aim to increase the commercial utilization of wild berries from Norwegian forests. METHODS: WILDBERRIES seek to develop tools to map areas with high yields and/or high-quality berries. Experiments at controlled climatic conditions will give new knowledge on key factors affecting flower development, ripening, yield and quality. RESULTS: Plots for phenotyping and berry collection will be established at different sites summer 2019. The existing clone collection of lingonberries will be increased, and controlled experiments will be performed from the second project year. CONCLUSIONS: Wanted outcome of the project are models for prediction of yields and quality of the berries.

Abstract

Rhodiola rosea is a perennial flowering plant with a long history as a medicine plant. The plant contain a range of bioactive compounds including salidroside, rosavin, rosarian and rosin. Some of the compounds are characterized as adaptogens, meaning they can increase the body’s resistance to various stressors. An increased demand for better pharmaceuticals has stimulated the development of new methods for agricultural as well as in vitro cultivation of medicinal plants. A new technology, called rhizosecretion of biologically active chemicals, can provide a continuous supply of biologically active compounds over the lifetime of plants. The plants will then be grown under controlled conditions. In order to increase the production of bioactive compounds in Rhodiola rosea under these conditions it is therefore hypothesized that the biosynthesis can be upregulated by growing it under specific temperature and light quality treatments. An experiment with different light and temperature regimes was established for optimal accumulation of biologically active compounds. Four different clones of Rhodiola rosea were grown under three different light conditions (red, blue and white) combined with two different temperatures (9 and 18 °C) for three weeks. The gene expression of Tyrosine decarboxylase (TyrDC), found to have a key role in the biosynthesis of salidroside, were investigated. In addition, the content of various bioactive compounds were quantified before and after treatment. The results indicate that use if high producing clones is most important for high production and that there is a short-term upregulation during blue light treatment. During the three-week treatment, there was no significant effect of the temperature treatments.

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Abstract

The population structure of cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus L.), collected from Krkonose Mountains (the Czech Republic), continental Norway and Spitsbergen, was examinedusing microsatellite analyses (SSR). Among 184 individuals, 162 different genotypeswere identified. The overall unbiased gene diversity was high (̂h=0.463). A high level of genetic differentiation among populations (FST = 0.45; p < .01) indicated restricted gene flow between populations. Using a Bayesian approach, six clusters were found which represented the genetic structure of the studied cloudberry populations. The value of correlation index between genetic and geographical distances (r = .44) indicates that gene flow, even over a long distance, could exist. An exact test of population differentiation showed that Rubus chamaemorus populations from regions (Krkonose Mountains,continental Norway and Spitsbergen) are differentiated although some individuals within populations share common alleles even among regions. These results were confirmed by AMOVA, where the highest level of diversity was found within populations(70.8%). There was no difference between 87 pairs of populations (18.7%) mostly within cloudberry populations from continental Norway and from Spitsbergen. Based on obtained results, it is possible to conclude that Czech and Norwegian cloudberry popula-tions are undergoing differentiation, which preserves unique allele compositions most likely from original populations during the last glaciation period. This knowledge will be important for the creation and continuation of in situ and ex situ conservation of cloud-berry populations within these areas.

Abstract

Numerous species of wild berries are abundant in the Nordic forests, mountains and peat lands. They ripen throughout the early summer until late autumn. Both lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), that are among the most picked wild berries, are characteristic field layer species in boreal forests. Other species that have potential of being better exploited are cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus), crowberry (Empeterum nigrum), bog blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum), arctic bramble (Rubus arcticus), wild strawberries/woodland strawberries (Fragaria vesca) and wild raspberries (Rubus idaeus). Wild berries have always been an important part of the Nordic cuisine. However, only about 5–10 per cent of the annual wild berry crop of approximately a billion kilograms are currently picked for private or commercial consumption. There are several challenges towards an increased utilization as year-to-year variation in crop, topography, logistics of berry picking including traceability, fragmented sector structure and the high share of unprocessed raw material in export. The scientific interest for these berries have in the recent years focused on their value concerning human health benefits. Nevertheless, commercialization and innovation of wild berries should focus on multiple use of the whole raw material into many different products. The Nordic wild berries are perfectly adapted to their environment and are well suited to studies of environmental effects on growth, development and quality. Additionally, they represent a valuable genepool for future breeding.

Abstract

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) is one of the important economical berry species found in the boreal forests of northern latitudes such as Norway and Finland. They are rich in anthocyanins, carotenoids vitamins and other flavonoids that accumulates in skin and flesh of the fruit. Berries from northern latitudes are found to contain more phytochemicals with anti-oxidant capacity than southern clones. It is mainly due to the environmental conditions of northern hemisphere and genetic adaptation that favors higher accumulation of bioactive metabolites such as anthocyanins. The phenylpropanoid pathway is the major key regulatory system for most of the bioactive compounds including anthocyanins which are synthesized via a branch called as flavanoid pathway. Abiotic factors, such as temperature, photoperiodism, light quality & quantity has a major role in biosynthesis and regulation mechanisms. It is usually mediated by MBW complex (R2R3 MYB transcription factors, basic helix-loop-helix and WD 40 repeat proteins). Our studies has been currently focussed on understanding the developmental and environmental regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in early to late ripening stages of non-climacteric bilberry fruit in response to different light conditions. The bilberry clones were collected from an island near Tromsø and were subjected to different light conditions such as red, far-red and blue wavelength from Heliospectra lamps during the onset of ripening stages. Simultaneously, the unriped berries were also detached and kept in petri dishes under the lamps to analyze the response of anthocyanin accumulation. Morphological changes in berry skin color were scored from the petri plates. Also, the fruit and leaf tissues were collected from the plants for gene expression analysis of biosynthetic structural genes such as anthocyanin synthase, chalcone synthase and regulatory genes (MBW transcrption factors) at different time points. Our preliminary results has shown that red and blue wavelengths are positively upregulating the anthocyanin accumulation during different developmental stages of bilberry.

Abstract

Wild berries are abundant in phytochemicals that consists primarily of flavonoids, carotenoids and some related polyphenolic compounds that accumulates in skin and flesh of the fruit. These compounds are key contributors for nutritional composition of fruits with anti-oxidant capacity. Anthocyanins, one of the most conspicuous classes of flavonoids together with proanthocyanidins and their derivatives are important plant pigments responsible for the red, pink, purple, and blue colors in plants. The berries from northern latitudes are found to contain more phytochemicals with antioxidant capacity than southern clones. It is mainly due to the environmental conditions of northern hemisphere and genetic adaptation that favors higher accumulation of bioactive metabolites. Phenylpropanoid pathway is the major key regulatory system for most of the bioactive compounds including anthocyanins which itself synthesized via a branch called the flavanoid pathway. Abiotic factors, such as temperature, photoperiodism, light quality & quantity has a major role in biosynthesis and regulation mechanisms. It is usually mediated by MBW complex (R2R3 MYBs, bHLH and WD 40 repeat proteins). The present study is focused on bridging the gap between environmental cues in regulation of the biosynthesis in two non-climacteric berry species, wild bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) with response to different light conditions. Our preliminary results has shown that red and blue wavelengths are positively upregulating the anthocyanin accumulation during early to late ripening stages of bilberry. Active participation in this Nordplant kickoff meeting will help me to promote my research work and get feedbacks and suggestions among my fellow plant researchers from Nordic countries and partner institutions. It can also help me to improve my knowledge on high throughput phenotyping techniques from the talks and by visiting the cutting edge facilities and infrastructures at University of Helsinki, which can also be applied in this PhD project at later stages.

Abstract

Rhodiola rosea is a well-known herbal medicinal plant, valued for highly active secondary metabolites. It is growing wild in most parts of Norway and mountainous areas in a number of countries. Some of the most important metabolites are believed to be salidroside, cinnamyl alcohol, glycosides (rosine, rosavine, rosarine), flavonoids (rhodionin, rhodiosin,rhodiolin) and terpenes (Galambosi 1999). In Norway, germplasm collections of R. rosea are maintained by NIBIO; at Apelsvoll in southern Norway, consisting of 97 different clones. The ranges in content of secondary metabolites in the collection are for rosavin 2.90-85.95 mg g-1, salidroside 0.03-12.85 mg g-1, rosin 0.08-4.75 mg g-1, tyrosol 0.04-2.15 mg g-1 and cinnamyl alcohol 0.02-1.18 mg g-1. Clones selected from the collection has throughout been studied for different aspects affecting plant growth and production of secondary metabolites. We have looked into cultivation requirements of the plant like water requirement, effects of nutrient levels (N and K) and soil types. Postharvest treatment from washing, cutting,drying and differences in the plant parts. Finally we will in this presentation also present results on requirements for dormancy release and the clonal differences and also how use of primers may affect production of secondary metabolites.

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Abstract

Cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus L.) is a wild perennial shrub growing on peatland with a circumpolar distribution. The combined berries have a high polyphenol content comprised primarily of ellagitannins. A few commercial cultivars are available, and pre-breeding trials on clonal material from different geographical origins are in progress. The objective of this study was to investigate how the content of polyphenols of four different cloudberry cultivars were affected by harvesting time and climatic variations during a 3-year-period. Plants were grown outside in plots and berries were harvested when mature. Berries were analyzed for total polyphenols and total anthocyanins by spectrophotometer. Total ellagic acid was identified and quantified using HPLC-MS after hydrolysis of the extracts. Results showed that all measured parameters; total anthocyanins, total polyphenols and ellagic acid are strongly influenced by the genetic background. Although low anthocyanin contents were present in all genotypes, they were highly affected by climatic conditions, being highest at low temperatures. However, the content of ellagic acid was less affected by environmental conditions and showed little response to changing temperatures. In conclusion, ellagitannin content was the most dominating polyphenol group observed in this study and was affected by genetics and is therefore a good breeding criterion for increased health benefit of cloudberry.

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Abstract

Two field trials with five strawberry cultivars planted on a woven black polyfibre ground cover sheet with or without translucent sheet plant coverage during winter and the growing season as combined treatments were started in 2004 and 2005. In total, nine different cultivars were included in the two fields. One early cv. ‘Polka’ and one late cv. ‘Korona’ acted as standard cultivars, while the other cultivars were new, named or labelled selections from Norwegian, Finnish and Swedish breeding programs. Winter survival, spring vigour, earliness, saleable and total berry yield, berry size and berry quality were registered for three years. The cultivars differed in earliness, berry size, yield (gram per plant) and total production (sum of all years). A combination of fibre sheet winter and spring coverage and more open net sheet harvest season coverage showed favourable results for overwintering, earliness and berry yield, and enhanced the ripening process in all cultivars.

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Abstract

Anthocyanins are the main pigments in the Vaccinium berries. Besides contributing to the characteristic bluish to reddish colors of the berries, anthocyanins are also recognized as potential health beneficial compounds. The biosynthesis of anthocyanins is well understood and the key regulators have been characterized in many plant species. The final anthocyanin composition in ripe berries is regulated by developmental and environmental factors, determined by the genetic background. We have studied the role of different light and temperature conditions on the accumulation of anthocyanins in wild bilberry (V. myrtillus L.) and cultivated highbush blueberry (V. corymbosum L.), in controlled and in field experiments. These experiments include specific growth conditions with clones from northern and southern latitudes as well as from different altitudes. The results show speciesspecific interactions in quantitative and qualitative composition of anthocyanins as a response to light and temperature conditions. For instance, lower temperature and specific light wavelengths induced accumulation of delphinidin glycosides in bilberry.

Abstract

The industrial demand for wax is about 1.000.000 tons annually from which about only 3% is covered by natural waxes and 97% (mainly as paraffin) is produced from non-renewable (mainly fossil) sources. The total market value for this market is about 600-700 M€ per year. Compared to synthetic waxes which are fossil (oil) based and chemically processed materials, the natural waxes are produced by biogenesis, renewable and thus contribute to sustainable processes and reduced carbon emission. Also, natural waxes show well-balanced composition and perform in many applications much better than their synthetic counterparts. In Scandinavia we have very interesting candidates for domestic wax production i.e. wild berries such as lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idae L.) and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) are abundantly found and important industrially utilized wild berries in arctic nature but we have also other interesting species like black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) and bog bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum). Wild berries are used increasingly by food industry due to their reported health and probiotic effects but much of the resource material is wasted as side stream after the food processing. In this project we want to develop methods for exploiting the raw material still present in the side stream and thus increasing its value. The broad expertise areas of the researchers involved covering biology, technology and marketing offer excellent background for the present project. The results achieved will be presented in the meeting. The project is funded by Interreg Nord.

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Abstract

The paper is a mini review on the climatic effects on berry production and berry quality in the Arctic north. Plants in the north are facing short growing seasons with low temperatures and long days with a unique light quality. The winter time is cold but with fluctuating temperatures, especially along the coast. Fluctuating winter temperatures and unstable snow cover is a challenge for the perennials that need to be dormant during winter time. Dormancy is induced in the autumn by a combination of day length and temperature. The wild berries domestic to the Nordic countries are adapted to these growth conditions while many of the commercially important berry species originate from more southern areas. Pre-breeding studies on interactions between genotype and environment are essential in order to develop climatically adapted berry cultivars for northern growth conditions.

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Abstract

Glucosinolates are plant secondary metabolites with important roles in plant defence against pathogens and pests and are also known for their health benefits. Understanding how environmental factors affect the level and composition of glucosinolates is therefore of importance in the perspective of climate change. In this study we analysed glucosinolates in Arabidopsis thaliana accessions when grown at constant standard (21 °C), moderate (15 °C) and low (9 °C) temperatures during three generations. In most of the tested accessions moderate and pronounced chilling temperatures led to higher levels of glucosinolates, especially aliphatic glucosinolates. Which temperature yielded the highest glucosinolate levels was accession-dependent. Transcriptional profiling revealed also accession-specific gene responses, but only a limited correlation between changes in glucosinolate-related gene expression and glucosinolate levels. Different growth temperatures in one generation did not consistently affect glucosinolate composition in subsequent generations, hence a clear transgenerational effect of temperature on glucosinolates was not observed.

Abstract

Important losses in strawberry production are often caused by the oomycete Phytophthora cactorum, the causal agent of crown rot. However, very limited studies at molecular levels exist of the mechanisms related to strawberry resistance against this pathogen. To begin to rectify this situation, a PCR-based approach (NBS profiling) was used to isolate strawberry resistance gene analogs (RGAs) with altered expression in response to P. cactorum during a time course (2, 4, 6, 24, 48, 96 and 192 h post-infection). Twenty-three distinct RGA fragments of the NB-LRR type were identified from a resistance genotype (Bukammen) of the wild species Fragaria vesca. The gene transcriptional profiles after infection showed that the response of most RGAs was quicker and stronger in the resistance genotype (Bukammen) than in the susceptible one (FDP821) during the early infection stage. The transcriptional patterns of one RGA (RGA109) were further monitored and compared during the P. cactorum infection of two pairs of resistant and susceptible genotype combinations (Bukammen/FDP821 and FDR1218/1603). The 5′ end sequence was cloned, and its putative protein was characteristic of NBS-LRR R protein. Our results yielded a first insight into the strawberry RGAs responding to P. cactorum infection at molecular level.

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Abstract

Effects of different environmental factors (origin, climate, fertilization and soil properties) on berry nutritional quality were studied in eight forest fields of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) in Northern-, Mid- and Southern Norway. No clear trend between locations could be found, however untargeted multivariate analysis of metabolite profiles revealed clear segregation patterns between locations. Anthocyanin, and phenolics content, and titratable acidity were significantly affected by mineral fertilization (Mid-Norway), while organic fertilization did not show any significant effects (Northern Norway). Bilberry chemical composition was affected by harvest time point, as indicated by a potentially higher nutritional quality regarding the content of phytochemicals when harvesting at mid or towards the end of the production season (Southern Norway). Regional and annual climate had strongest impact on the nutritious content of bilberries. Significant differences were found between locations, however previous findings on increasing anthocyanin content with latitude were not confirmed due to environmental impacts confounding the population effects.

Abstract

An investigation of the wild European blueberry (E. blueberry; Vaccinium myrtillus L.) was financed for four years starting in 2008. One part of the project was to examine natural development of E.blueberry in five Norwegian fields, effect of fertilization and cutting of plants. Examinations were undertaken in two fields in Bardu municipality in Troms county and of three fields in Snåsa and Lierne municipalities in Nord-Trøndelag county. The basic idea was to examine the possibility of half cultivation on situ in the forest, a similar system as developed in north America with Vaccinium angustifolium. The five fields were arranged in block designs, and in the Bardu fields Organic Matter (OM) were added (compost and wood chips) and in the Snåsa/Lierne fields mineral fertilizers (N-P in kg haa-1: 0-0, 3-2, 3-4, 6-4). Treatments were compared with natural development. In addition to fertilization and OM the Snåsa field had two more treatments, cutting of the plants to the ground in autumn 2008 and site (placed on two moraine ridges). From our research and investigations we can conclude that the soil O-layer is very important. The fields that performed best had thick O-layers. It could be suggested that layers close to 7 cm or thicker would be optimal. The C/N ratios indicate that N was not easily available in any field. This may explain why long shoot growth increased and more nodes were developed, when mineral fertilizer, and especially N, was added. However, number of short shoots per long shoot was not clearly influenced by fertilizer, except last year when the effect was positive- maybe a long term effect. This was not followed by higher yields throughout the years, rather the contrary, but it should be added that weather conditions the last two years were rainy; and the high yield in 2009 could have initiated alternate bearing, and more browsing because of more attractive shoots and leaves; factors that would reduce the yield in subsequent years. Adding OM had some positive influence on tiller growth in the Bardu birch-field (F1), but not in the pine-field (F2). However, annual shoot growth increased in the pine-field in the first of two years. Yields, however, were clearly reduced by adding OM in average of two years. The importance of a thick O-layer was confirmed in the examination of growth conditions on two moraine ridges. The ridge with lowest yield had less loss of ignition in the O- and B-layers, a shallower O-layer and lower levels of P, Mg and Ca in both O- and B- layers. Cutting of shoots to the ground was not beneficial and full yield potential was not recovered before the third year after cutting. Fruit quality was influenced by latitude, soil factors and fertilization treatments. However, variations between years were the most important single factor.

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Abstract

After pollination outdoors individual bilberry plants from two Northern and two Southern clones were studied for climatic effects on berry yield and quality in a controlled phytotrone experiment at 12 °C and 18 °C. At each temperature the following light treatments were tested; 1) 12 h natural light; 2) 24 h natural light and 3) 24 h natural light plus red light. The first experimental year there was no difference in yield between temperatures, however, the second experimental year the berry yields was significantly higher at 18 °C. Berry ripening was faster in the Northern than in the Southern clones at 12 °C. Northern clones also showed significantly higher contents of total anthocyanins, all measured anthocyanin derivatives, total phenolics, malic acid and sucrose. Metabolic profiling revealed higher levels of flavanols, hydroxycinnamic acids, quinic acid and carbohydrates at 12 °C.

Abstract

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), also called European blueberry, is native to Norway and strongly preferred by the Norwegian food industry due to its genuine flavour and high content of phytochemicals. However, Norwegian natural resources are underexploited, and only few investigation have focused on quality aspects of bilberries from wild populations with regard to potential cultivation and industrial utilization. Important goals of the 4-years study were to investigate (a) Berry quality parameters, (b) Fertilization effects, and (c) Geographic and seasonal variation in trial locations at regions in Southern, Mid and Northern Norway. Berry quality assessment included parameters such as total anthocyanins (ACY) and phenols (TPH), antioxidant capacity (AOX), pH, titratable acidity (TAC) and soluble solids (SS). Based on multivariate statistics (PCA), regional segregation patterns could be observed which were strongly overlapped by year-to-year variation. Within-seasonal variation of parameters were recorded for berries harvested at different time points throughout the season (Southern location/ Hedmark), but between-seasonal effects were generally stronger. Similar year-to-year effects were also found in bilberries from Northern Norway (Bardu), but not in berries harvested from the field in Mid Norway/Langvatnet. The field in Northern Norway was treated with organic fertilizer (compost and wood chippings), while the field in Mid Norway was fertilized with mineral fertilizer combinations (N+P). Application of organic fertilizer did not have any clear effect on berry quality, while mineral fertilizer resulted in clear segregation patterns of berry samples after three years of treatment, thus minimizing year-to year variation. Mean values of quality parameters ACY, TPH and AOX, measured at the different locations (all years and treatments) varied between 330-427 mg/100 g f.w., 531-640 mg/100 g f.w., and 5-8 mmol/100 g f.w., respectively, thus underscoring the phytochemical value of bilberries from Norwegian populations.

Abstract

Individual bilberry plants from two Northern and two Southern clones were studied for climatic effects on production and quality in a controlled phytotrone experiment at 12 °C and 18 °C in a 2-year trial. At each temperature the following light conditions were tested: 1) 12 h natural light (short day); 2) 24 h natural light (long day) and 3) 24 h natural light (long day) plus red light. In order to ensure sufficient and comparable fruit set between treatments, flower pollination was executed outdoors. Berry yield, quality parameters such as total anthocyanins, total phenols and antioxidant capacity, and chemical composition (GC/MS-based metabolite profiling) were recorded in both years, while HPLC-based anthocyanin analysis was only carried out in the second year. All analyzed compounds showed significant year-to-year variation with the exception of antioxidant activity. The experiment was conducted under natural light conditions, and therefore light intensity and quality varied between the two growing seasons. The first experimental year there was no difference in yield between temperatures, however, the second experimental year the berry yield was significantly higher at 18 °C. Temperature treatments led to faster berry ripening in the Northern than in the Southern clones at 12 °C. Metabolite profiling also revealed higher levels of flavanols, hydroxycinnamic acids, quinic acid and carbohydrates at 12 °C. Clonal effects showed that the content of all anthocyanin derivatives, as well as levels of antioxidants, total phenolics, malic acid and sucrose were highest in the Northern clones, while Southern clones had higher levels of hydroxycinamic acids, epicatechin, quinic acid and myo-inositol. Northern clones were also more responsive to additional red light with highest levels of anthocyanins under long-day treatment.

Abstract

The effects of climate on production and the quality of bilberries have been studied in a controlled phytotrone experiment using clonal material originating from Northern and Southern parts of Finland. In the experiment individual plants from two Northern clones and two Southern clones have been grown at 12° and 18°C. At each temperature 3 different light treatments have been tested; 1) 24 h natural light (long day), 2) 12 h natural light (short day) and 3) 24 h natural light with an addition of extra red light. All berries produced by each plant have been harvested at maturity and have been analyzed for several important quality parameters. The metabolic profiling results show that levels of flavonols (epicatechin and catechin), hydroxyl acids (chlorogenic acid, hydroxyl cinnamic acid), quinic acid and all analyzed carbohydrates (myo-inositol, fructose, glucose and sucrose) are highest at 12°C. On the contrary, total anthocyanins levels were highest at 18°C and this was also reflected in the results on analysis of several anthocyanins derivates with the exception of Del 3‑Ara that was significantly higher at 12°C than 18°C. Northern clones had significantly higher levels of total anthocyanins, all measured anthocyanin derivates, total phenols, malic acid and sucrose than Southern clones.

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Abstract

A high through-put Abbreviated liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometric (ACMS) method was used to assess the relative influence of genotype and temperature on polyphenol composition in cloudberries. Principal component analysis (PCA) plots of the collated ACMS data showed a separation between crosses based on their female parents (Nyby or Fjellgull). Crosses with Nyby as female parent had higher relative levels of masses assignable to certain ellagitannin derivatives. Crosses with Fjellgull had higher levels of distinctive masses assignable to quercetin derivatives (including a hydroxy-3-methylglutaroyl hexose derivative not previously identified in cloudberry) and anthocyanin-derivatives. There was also a separation between samples grown at lower and higher temperatures, which was driven by m/z signals associated with ellagitannins and notably a major component, Sanguiin H-6. Therefore, abbreviated MS techniques can discern genetic and/or environmental influences in polyphenol composition and can quickly assess quality in breeding programmes or in response to environmental changes.

Abstract

Blueberries belong to the genus Vaccinium, a widespread genus with more than 200 species of woody plants. In Northern Europe, the European blueberry (EB), also called bilberry, is one of the most important wild berries. EB (Vaccinium myrtillus) is very demanded by the processing industry, due to its delicious taste and high dietary value. However, to our knowledge there has been made no efforts of domestication of the species, and it is still harvested in forest fields without any cultivation. The successful management of the sweet lowbush blueberry (V. angustifolium), which in many ways is similar to the EB, suggests that there are opportunities to increase yield and decrease the significant yearly variation in EB yield, by practices including fertilization, irrigation, cutting trees, and weed control. The fruit yield in wild stands of EB is very variable, but the potential is probably close to 2 tons per hectare. Results from literature on growth of the EB, development and ecology are discussed in relation to possibilities for domestication.

Abstract

The fruit quality of European blueberry (EB) is mainly determined by taste compounds (sugars, acids, flavour) and health-beneficial structures generally denoted as antioxidants (vitamin C, phenolic acids, flavonols, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins). Content and compound composition is strongly affected by the growth environment regarding light, temperature, water and edaphic factors. In order to assess genotypic relationships (northern and southern clones of EB) and environmental impact (temperature, day length) on berry quality parameters, a high-throughput system for blueberry metabolite profiling of nutritional compounds was established based on gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Dried methanol/H2O extracts from fresh-frozen berry tissue were derivatized, and subjected to GC/MS in order to detect polar compounds such as organic acids from Krebs-cycle, amino acids, sugars, polyols, and partly secondary metabolites (phenols, flavonoids). In addition, general quality parameters such as total phenols, total anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity (FRAP) were measured. Fructose (5 g), glucose (5 g), and sucrose (0.5 g/ 100 g f.w. at average) were the most abundant carbohydrates, together with high levels of organic acids such as citric acid (1.3 g), quinic acid (1.6 g), and malic acid (0.3 g/ 100 g f.w. at average). More than 50 metabolites per sample (identified compounds and not-annotated mass spectral tags) could be detected, and established the basis for multivariate statistics using principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering, and metabolite network analysis. Genotypic differences, modulation of metabolite pools and biosynthetic relationships are being discussed in-depth.

Abstract

Two female and two male cultivars have previously been released as a result of clone evaluation at Bioforsk Nord Holt. Selection criteria have been number of pistils or stamens per flower, number of flowers and number of shoots per m2. Currently a new group of clones are evaluated with the aim of finding new cultivars for release. The clones are collected from different parts of Norway, as well as from England and Spitsbergen. Preliminary results from harvesting 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 indicate good production potential for a couple of the tested clones. In addition to prior selection criteria based on berry yield, the levels of total anthocyanins and total phenols have been analyzed. This includes studies on the role of female clone, male pollinator and temperature on berry quality.

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Abstract

In this study we investigated the interaction between temperature and genotype on fruit development and levels of total phenols and anthocyanins in cloudberry. The experiment was done in a phytotron using one female (‘Fjellgull") and one hermaphroditic (‘Nyby") cultivar. Plants were grown at 9, 12, 15 and 18°C in 24-h photoperiod. The female cultivars were pollinated with pollen from a male (‘Apollen") clone and from the hermaphrodite clone. Parthenocarpic fruit development was induced by gibberellic acid (GA3). Ripe berries were frozen individually at -80°C and stored until analyses. There was a linear, double logarithmic relationship between temperature and number of days from pollination/GA3-treatment to ripening. ‘Fjellgull" had significantly larger berries than ‘Nyby", and the largest berries were obtained at 12 and 9°C. Pollen clone did not have a significant effect on berry size. GA3 induced parthenogenesis in ‘Fjellgull" and partial parthenogenesis in ‘Nyby". In ‘Fjellgull", the parthenocarpic berries were comparable to pollinated ones at low temperatures, but at 18°C their development was restricted. The level of total anthocyanins was significantly higher in ‘Fjellgull" than in ‘Nyby", and these levels were significantly enhanced at 9 and 12°C compared to higher temperatures. Levels of total phenolic compounds were not significantly affected. In conclusion, the present results indicate that low temperature is favourable both for size and quality of cloudberries.

Abstract

Two female and two male cultivars have previously been released as a result of clone evaluation at Bioforsk Nord Holt. The selection criteria were the number of pistils or stamens per flower, the number of flowers and the number of shoots per m2. Currently a new group of clones are being evaluated with the aim of finding new cultivars for release. The preliminary results on flowering and berry production show a strong variance in these traits. Over three years of registration, the number of produced flowers varied from under 100 for the weakest clone to more than 1000 for the best clone. The number of produced berries varied from 9 for the weakest clone to 242 for the best clone. The three clones that produced the most flowers all had very low berry production and deviated from the rest of the clones by having high numbers of flowers per harvested berry. New selection criteria will be considered before selection of new cultivars for release. In addition to the production traits, new selection criteria will most likely include berry contents, such as the levels of antioxidants.

Abstract

Wild berries are a characteristic part of Northern nature and a particular speciality of Nordic countries. Wild berries are also a rich and valuable resource that has not yet been exploited in a satisfactory level. Approximately 90 – 95 % of the whole wild berry crop yield is left unpicked in the Nordic forests every year. The challenges of wild berry utilization are similar in Nordic countries - the logistics of berry picking including traceability, fragmented sector structure as well as the high share of unprocessed raw material in export. The Nordic project focusing on bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) “Bilberry: Towards functional food markets” (2007 – 2009) is a part of the New Nordic Food programme funded by the Nordic Innovation Centre. The programme aims to enhance cooperation and innovation among companies that utilize the natural resources of the Nordic countries. The aim of the project is to improve wild berry production and utilization in the Nordic and global market. To achieve this goal a network between the Nordic experts presenting the different fields of the wild berry sector has been established. The project has focused on marketing research, quality issues, biodiversity and the traceability of wild berries; especially the bilberry. The results of the marketing survey were published in November 2008. The aim of the survey was to generate an overall picture of the companies working with wild berries in Nordic countries and to gather information on the existence and willingness of the berry companies to cooperate in wild berry supply, logistics, marketing and research and development. According to the results, a general agreement for the need of increased cooperation at the Nordic level was highlighted.

Abstract

Tannin-enriched extracts from raspberry, cloudberry and strawberry were analysed by liquid chromatography"mass spectrometric (LC"MS) techniques. The raspberry and cloudberry extracts contained a similar mixture of identifiable ellagitannin components and ellagic acid. However, the strawberry extract contained a complex mixture of ellagitannin and proanthocyanidin components that could not be adequately resolved to allow identification of individual peaks. Nevertheless, the negative ESI-MS spectra obtained by direct infusion mass spectrometric (DIMS) analysis described the diversity of these samples. For example, the predominance of signals associated with Lambertianin C in cloudberry and Sanguiin H6 in raspberry tannin extracts could be discerned and the diversity of signals from procyanidin and propelargonidin oligomers could be identified in the strawberry extract. The dose response for the main ellagitannin-derived signals in the raspberry tannin sample revealed a saturation effect probably due to ion suppression effects in the ion trap spectrometer. Nevertheless, DIMS spectra of whole berry extracts described qualitative differences in ellagitannin-derived peaks in raspberry, cloudberry and strawberry samples. In addition, positive mode DIMS spectra illustrated qualitative differences in the anthocyanin composition of berries of progeny from a raspberry breeding population that had been previously analysed by LC"MS. This suggests that DIMS could be applied to rapidly assess differences in polyphenol content, especially in large sample sets such as the progeny from breeding programmes.

Abstract

Plant polyphenolics continue to be the focus of attention with regard to their putative impact on human health. An increasing and ageing human population means that the focus on nutrition and nutritional enhancement or optimisation of our foodstuffs is paramount. Using the raspberry as a model, we have shown how modern metabolic profiling approaches can be used to identify the changes in the level of beneficial polyphenolics in fruit breeding segregating populations and how the level of these components is determined by genetic and/or environmental control. Interestingly, the vitamin C content appeared to be significantly influenced by environment (growth conditions) whilst the content of the polyphenols such as cyanidin, pelargonidin and quercetin glycosides appeared much more tightly regulated, suggesting a rigorous genetic control. Preliminary metabolic profiling showed that the fruit polyphenolic profiles divided into two gross groups segregating on the basis of relative levels of cyanidin-3-sophoroside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside, compounds implicated as conferring human health benefits.

Abstract

In a preliminary experiment terminal stem cuttings (4 – 5 cm) were collected in the spring (May) from a wild population of lingonberry near Holt Research Center, Tromsø, Norway. The cuttings were rooted in peat mixed with 30% perlite with and without auxin treatment (Seradix 1 or Seradix 2: 3-indol-butyric-acid). The effect of dipping in a fungicide (Rovral) was also tested. With the best treatment, control without auxin and fungicide, as much as 66% of the cuttings rooted. Both dipping in Seradix and in the fungicide reduced rooting of the cuttings. To test the seasonal variations in rooting of lingonberry cuttings, terminal cuttings were harvested regularly every month in more than one year. The results indicate that a relatively short cold period is needed to induce bud break and shoot growth. Cuttings harvested during spring and summer rooted poorly compared to cuttings harvested in late autumn and during winter. The best rooting was obtained using cuttings harvested in September and November.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test the activity of gibberellins and auxins for induction of parthenocarpic fruit development in cloudberry, Rubus chamaemorus L., a dioecious, northern wild berry with potential for cultivation. Plant hormones were applied directly to open flowers, either dissolved in ethanol or as an aqueous spray. Of the tested gibberellins (GA1, GA3, GA4, dimethyl-GA4, GA5, GA9, GA19, GA20 and GA24) only GA1, GA3, GA4 and dimethyl-GA4 were active and induced fruit development comparable to development of pollinated fruits. Lack of activity of GA20 and GA9, the immediate precursors of GA1 and GA4, respectively, suggests that 3 b-hydroxylation of gibberellins can be inhibited in unpollinated flowers of cloudberry. Auxin treatments induced an initial fruit development, but did not result in ripe berries. Based on these results, use of transgenic methods to regulate gibberellin or/and auxin biosynthesis in carpels of cloudberry could be used to develop a parthenocarpic cloudberry.

Abstract

Photoperiodic effects on woody plants were reported already by Gardner and Allard in 1923 and comprehensive studies during the ’50s confirmed the role of photoperiod as an important environmental regulator of growth and growth cessation in many northern tree species (Nitsch, 1957; Wareing, 1956). In woody plants cessation of apical growth is a prerequisite for cold acclimation (Weiser, 1970) and photoperiod, as a factor controlling growth cessation, is therefore an important environmental signal for initiation of cold acclimation. In many cases a proper timing of acclimation and deacclimation, in respect to annual variation of temperature conditions, is more critical for winter survival than the maximum level of frost hardiness. Also in such coniferous species where cessation of apical growth is not controlled by photoperiod, short photoperiod is necessary for good cold acclimation, low temperature causes no or only a limited level of hardiness if combined with long day conditions (Schwarz, 1970; Aronsson, 1975; Christersson, 1978; Jonsson et al., 1981). Thus, photoperiod may have both an indirect, through induction of growth cessation, and a more direct influence on cold acclimation in woody plants.

Abstract

Nitrogen er det begrensende grunnstoffet for vekst i de fleste arktiske plantesamfunn. Effekten av temperatur og nitrat konsentrasjon på maksimal nitrat reduktase (NR) aktivitet er registrert hos fire arter som vokser i fuglefjell; Cochlearia groenlandica, Oxyria digyna, Chrysosplenium tetrandrum og Saxifraga hieracifolia. Resultatet viser at artenes maksimale NR - aktivitet gir en indikasjon på evnen til å ta opp og utnytte nitrat. Fjellsyre og skjørbuksurt hadde signifikant høyere NR-aktivitet enn stivsildre og dvergmaigull ved alle behandlingene. Dette kan indikere at stivsildre og dvergmaigull utkonkurreres høyt oppe i fuglefjellet der nitratkonsentrasjonen er stor fordi fjellsyre og skjørbuksurt kan utnytte gjødslingen bedre.