Skip to main content
Log in

Physiological and genetic factors influencing fruit cracking

  • Review
  • Published:
Acta Physiologiae Plantarum Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

One of the main disorders that widely limit fruit quality and quantity is fruit cracking or splitting that is observed on the fruit skin and flesh in the preharvest phase. Besides, cracking can occur during postharvest in some fruits, mostly attributable to the environmental conditions of storage. Value of cracked fruits is reduced and these fruits are not marketable because of the poor fruit quality. Many fruits such as apple, sweet cherry, grape, plum, pomegranate, grape, persimmon, litchi, avocado, pistachio, citrus, banana as well as tomato can crack or split. There are many factors that influence fruit cracking. In this work, genetic, morphological, environmental and physiological aspects of fruit cracking are reviewed. Under the same environmental conditions, fruits from different cultivars show differences in cracking susceptibility. Some correlations have been observed between susceptibility of fruit cracking and some fruit traits (fruit shape, fruit size, fruit firmness; anatomy and strength of the fruit skin, stomata in fruit skin, cuticular properties, osmotic concentration, water capacity of the fruit pulp and growth stage of the fruit). Also, orchard management (such as irrigation and nutrition) and environmental condition (such as temperature, wind and light) can influence fruit cracking. Besides, fruit cracking is quantitative trait and is controlled by several genes. The best way to reduce fruit cracking at present would be a suitable orchard management that takes into account and try to minimize stress of the water, nutrition and physiological factors that contribute to fruit cracking. Also, the most resistant cultivars to fruit cracking that have desirable fruit quality can be selected for cultivation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbott JD, Peet MM, Willits DH, Sanders DC, Gough RE (1986) Effects of irrigation frequency and scheduling on fruit production and radial fruit cracking in greenhouse tomatoes in soil beds and in a soil-less medium in bags. Sci Hortic 28:209–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Agusti M, Martinez-Fuentes A, Mesejo C (2002) Citrus fruit quality. Physiological basis and techniques of improvement. Agrocienica 6:1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Aksoy U, Akyuz D (1993) Changes in K, Ca and Mg contents in different parts of the fig fruit during development. In: Optimization of plant nutrition, Kluwer Academic Publ., Dordrecht, p 305–309

  • Almela V, Zaragoza S, Primomillo E, Agusti M (1994) Hormonal control of splitting of Nova mandarin fruit. J Hortic Sci 69:969–973

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andrews PK, Collier ML, Fahy D, Evans RB (1999) Gala stem-end splitting and internal ring cracking. Good Fruit Grow 50:20–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Belmans K, Keulemans J, Debarsy T, Bronchart R (1990) Influence of sweet cherry epidermal characters on susceptibility to cracking. In: Proceedings of the international horticulture congress XXIII, p 637

  • Beyer M, Hahn R, Peschel S, Harz M, Knoche M (2002) Analysing fruit shape in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.). Sci Hortic 96:139–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brummell DA, Harpster MH, Dunsmuir P (1999) Differential expression of expansin gene family members during growth and ripening of tomato fruit. Plant Mol Biol 39:161–169

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Byari SH (1984) Physiological, genetic and breeding studies of tolerance to high temperature and high relative humidity in tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). PhD Thesis, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

  • Choi HM (2010) Effects of calcium concentrations of coating bag on pericarp structure and berry cracking in ‘Kyoho’ grape (Vitis sp.). Kor J Hortic Sci Technol 28:561–566

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen JV (1972) Cracking in cherries iv. Physiological studies of the mechanisms of cracking. Acta Agric Scand 22:153–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen JV (1996) Rain-induced cracking of sweet cherries: Its causes and prevention. In: Webster AD, Looney NE (eds) Cherries: crop physiology, production and uses. Oxon, UK, pp 297–327

    Google Scholar 

  • Considine J (1982) Physical aspects of fruit growth: cuticular fracture and fracture patterns in relation to fruit structure in Vitis vinifera. J Hortic Sci 57:79–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Considine J, Brown K (1981) Physical aspects of fruit growth. Theoretical analysis of distribution of surface growth forces in relation to cracking and splitting. Plant Physiol 68:371–376

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Considine JA, Knox RR (1999) Development and histochemistry of the cell, cell walls and cuticle of the dermal system of fruit of the grape, Vitis vinifera L. Protoplasma 99:347–365

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Considine JA, Kriedemann PE (2000) Fruit splitting in grapes: determination of the critical turgor pressure. Aust J Agric Res 23:7–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Corey KA, Tan Z (1990) Induction of changes in internal gas pressure of bulky plant organs by temperature gradients. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 115:308–312

    Google Scholar 

  • Cosgrove DJ (1999) Enzymes and other agents that enhance cell wall extensibility. Annu Rev Plant Physiol Plant Mol Biol 50:391–417

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cosgrove DJ (2000) Loosing of plant cell walls by expansins. Nature 407:321–326

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cotner SD, Burns EE, Leeper PW (1969) Pericarp anatomy of crack-resistant and susceptible tomato fruits. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 94:136–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Cuartero J, Palomares G, Balasch S, Nuez F (1981) Tomato fruit cracking under plastic-house and in the open air. II. General and specific combining abilities. Genetics and breeding of tomato, Proc. Meeting Eucarpia Tomato Working Group, Avignon, p 91–98

  • Domínguez E, Fernandez MD, Hernandez JCL, Parra JP, Espana L, Heredia A, Cuartero J (2012) Tomato fruit continues growing while ripening, affecting cuticle properties and cracking. Physiol Plant 146:473–486

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Doster MA, Michailides TJ (1995) The relationship between date of hull splitting and decay of pistachio nuts by Aspergillus species. Plant Dis 79:766–769

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doster MA, Michailides TJ, Goldhamer DA, Morgan DP (2001) Insufficient spring irrigation increases abnormal splitting of pistachio nuts. Calif Agric 55:28–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El-Khawaga AS (2007) Reduction in fruit cracking in manfaluty pomegranate following a foliar application with paclobutrazol and zinc sulphate. J Appl Sci Res 3(9):837–840

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Emmons CLW, Scott JW (1998) Ultrastructural and anatomical factors associated with resistance to cuticle cracking in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Int J Plant Sci 159:14–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Falconer DS (1996) Introduction to quantitative genetics, 4th edn. Longman, London

  • Ferri VC, Rombaldi CV, Silva JA (2008) Boron and calcium sprayed on ‘Fuyu’ persimmon tree prevent skin cracks, groove and browning of fruit during cold storage. Ciencia Rural Santa Maria 38(8):2146–2150

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frazier WA, Bowers JL (1947) A report on studies of tomato fruit cracking in Maryland. Proc Soc Hortic Sci 49:241–255

    Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Luis A, Duarte AMM, Porras I, Garcia-Lid A, Guardiola JL (1994) Fruit splitting in ‘Nova’ hybrid mandarin in relation to the anatomy of the fruit and fruit set treatments. Sci Hortic 57:215–231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glenn GM, Poovaiah BW (1989) Cuticular properties and postharvest calcium applications influence cracking in cherries. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 114:781–788

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldhamer DA, Kjelgren RK, Williams L, Beede R (1985) Water use requirements of pistachio trees and response to water stress. Proceedings of the National Conference on Advances in Evapotranspiration. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, pp 216–223

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayama H, Shimada T, Ito A, Yoshioka H, Kashimura Y (2001) Changes in the levels of mRNAs for putative cell wall-related genes during peach fruit development. Sci Hortic 91:239–250

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hofshi R, Arpaia ML (2002) Avocado fruit abnormalities and defects revisited. Calif Avocado Soc Yearb 86:147–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Hosseinifard J, Panahi B (2006) The effect of different mineral nutrients on early splitting in pistachio. Acta Hortic 726:325–328

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hovland K, Sekse L (2004) Water uptake through sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) fruit pedicels: influence of fruit surface water status and intact fruit skin. Acta Agric Scand Sect B 54:91–96

  • Huang XM, Wang HC, Gao FF, Huang HB (1999) A comparative study of the pericarp of litchi cultivars susceptible and resistant to fruit-cracking. J Hortic Sci Biotechnol 74:351–354

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang X, Li J, Wang H, Huang H, Gao F (2001) The relationship between fruit cracking and calcium in litchi pericarp. Acta Hortic 558:209–215

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • InChang S, SeonKyu K, HagHyun K, GilHah K (2007) Physiological and histological characteristics of berry cracking in grapes (Vitis spp.). Hortic Environ Biotechnol 48:291–297

    Google Scholar 

  • Josan JS, Sandhu AS, Zora S (1998) Effect of plant growth regulators sparys on the endogenous level of phytohormones and splitting of lemon fruit. Recent Hortic 4:19–21

  • Kadman A, Tomer E, Gottreich M (1973) Some abnormalities observed in avocado fruits and flowers. California Avocado Society 1973 Yearbook 57: 115–117

  • Kamimura S (1977) A method of testing crack resistance in tomatoes. Jpn Agric Res Q 11:111–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Karp D (2006) The pomegranate: for one and all. Fruit Gard 38:8–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Kasai S, Hayama H, Kashimura Y, Kudo S, Osanai Y (2008) Relationship between fruit cracking and expression of the expansin gene MdEXPA3 in ‘Fuji’ apples (Malus domestica Borkh.). Sci Hortic 116:194–198

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kertesz ZI, Nebel BR (1935) Observations on the cracking of cherries. Plant Physiol 10:763–772

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khadivi-Khub A (2007) Evaluation of genetic diversity in sweet cherry cultivars using morphological and molecular markers. MSc Thesis, University of Tehran, Iran

  • Khadivi-Khub A (2009) Pomology, Agriculture Education Press, Tehran, Iran. (In Farsi)

  • Khadivi-Khub A (2011) Evaluation of genetic diversity in Cerasus subgenus using morphological and SSR markers. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Tehran, Iran

  • Khadivi-Khub A, Zamani Z, Bouzari N (2007) Study of fruit cracking and doubled fruit in some sweet cherry cultivars. Fifth horticulture congress, Shiraz (In Farsi)

    Google Scholar 

  • Khadivi-Khub A, Zamani Z, Bouzari N (2008) Evaluation of genetic diversity in some Iranian and foreign sweet cherry cultivars by using RAPD molecular markers and morphological traits. Hortic Environ Biotechnol 49:188–196

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khadivi-Khub A, Khanali M, Sahraroo A, Yavari A (2010) Physical properties of tangerine. Am Eurasian J Agric Sci 3:216–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitagava H, Glucina PE (1994) Persimmon culture in New Zealand. Science Information Public Centre, DSIR, Wellington

    Google Scholar 

  • Knoche M, Peschel S (2002) Studies on water transport through the sweet cherry fruit surface: VI. Effect of hydrostatic pressure on water uptake. J Hortic Sci Biotechnol 77:609–614

    Google Scholar 

  • Knoche M, Peschel S (2006) Water on the surface aggravates microscopic cracking of the sweet cherry fruit cuticle. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 131:192–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar GNM (1990) Pomegranate. In: Fruit of tropical and subtropical origin. Nagy, Show and Werdowski (eds). Florida Science Source, Inc., Florida, p 328–347

  • Lahav E, Whiley AW (2002) Irrigation and mineral nutrition. In: The avocado: botany, production and uses. CAB International, Oxon, UK, pp 259–297

  • Lang A, Düring H (1990) Grape berry splitting and some mechanical properties of the skin. Vitis 29:61–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Li JG, Huang HB (1996) Advance in the research in litchi fruit cracking. J Fruit Sci 13:257–261

    Google Scholar 

  • Li JG, Huang HB, Yuan RC, Gao FF (1992) Litchi fruit cracking in relation to fruit growth and water-uptake kinetics. J South China Agric Univ 13:129–135

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li JG, Gao FF, Huang HB, Tan YW (1999) Preliminary studies on the relationship between calcium and fruit cracking in litchi fruit. J South China Agric Univ 20:45–49

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li J, Huang H, Gao F, Huang X, Wang H (2001) An overview of litchi fruit cracking. Acta Hortic 558:205–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Longstroth M, Perry RL (1996) Selecting the orchard site, orchard planning and establishment. In: Webster AD, Looney NE (eds) Cherries: crop physiology. Production and Uses, Oxon, pp 203–221

    Google Scholar 

  • Lu PL, Lin C (2011) Physiology of fruit cracking in wax apple (Syzygium samarangense). J Plant Sci 8:70–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthews MA, Cheng G, Weinbaum SA (1987) Changes in water potential and dermal extensibility during grape berry development. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 112(2):314–319

    Google Scholar 

  • McQueen-Manson SJ, Cosgrove DJ (1994) Disruption of hydrogen bonding between wall polymers by proteins that induce plant wall extension. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 91:6574–6578

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meland M (2005) Different technical designs for rain cover protection against cracking for sweet cherry orchards. The Compact Fruit Tree 38(special edition), pp 31–35

  • Menzel CM (1984) The pattern and control of reproductive development in lychee: a review. Sci Hortic 22:333–346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meynhardt JT (1999) A histological study of berry splitting in some grape cultivars. Afr J Agric Sci 30:1707–1716

    Google Scholar 

  • Moctezuma E, Smith DL, Gross KC (2003) Antisense suppression of a b-galactosidase gene (TBG6) in tomato increases fruit cracking. J Exp Bot 54:2025–2033

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moing A, Renaud C, Christmann H, Gouilhaux L, Tauzin Y, Zanetto A, Gaudillère M, Laigret F, Claverie J (2004) Is there a relation between changes in osmolarity of cherry fruit flesh or skin and fruit cracking susceptibility? J Am Soc Hortic Sci 129:635–641

    Google Scholar 

  • Monselise SP, Costo J (1985) Decreasing splitting incidence in Murcott by 2, 4, D and calcium nitrate. Alon Hanotea 39:731–733

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson SC, Ploetz RC, Kepler AK (2006) Musa species (banana and plantain). 2: Species Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry. p 10

  • O’Rourke D, Janick J, Sansavini S (2003) World apple cultivar dynamics. Chron Hortic 43:10–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Opara LU (1996) Some characteristics of internal ring-cracking in apples. Fruit Var J 50:260–262

    Google Scholar 

  • Opara LU, Hodson AJ, Studman CJ (2000) Stem-end splitting and internal ring-cracking of ‘Gala’ apples as influenced by orchard management practices. J Hortic Sci Biotechnol 75:465–469

    Google Scholar 

  • Peet MM (1992) Fruit cracking in tomato. HortTechnology 2:216–223

    Google Scholar 

  • Peynaud F, Ribereau-Gayon (1971) The grape. In: Hulme AC (ed) The biochemistry of fruits and their products, vol 2. Academic press, New York, pp 172–207

    Google Scholar 

  • Prasad RN, Mali PC (2002) Effect of drip irrigation on physico-chemical characteristics of pomegranate fruits in arid region. Ann Arid Zone 41:65–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Predieri S, Dris R, Sekse L, Rapparini F (2003) Influence of environmental factors and orchard management on yield and quality of sweet cherry. Food Agric Environ 1:263–266

    Google Scholar 

  • Quero-Garcia J, Campoy JA, Joly J, Tauzin Y, Rosyara U, Iezzoni A, Dirlewanger E (2012) QTL detection for fruit weight, fruit firmness, and fruit cracking tolerance in sweet cherry. International Plant and Animal Genome XX Conference, San Diego, California, USA. 14–18 January. Scherago International, Jersey City, New Jersey, USA

  • Rab A, Haq IU (2012) Irrigation intervals affect physicochemical quality attributes and skin cracking in litchi fruit. Turk J Agric For 36:553–562

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodrigues LC, Morales MR, Fernandes AJB, Ortiz JM (2008) Morphological characterization of sweet and sour cherry cultivars in a germplasm bank at Portugal. Genet Resour Crop Evol 55:593–601

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sadamori S, Yoshida Y, Murakami H, Ishizuka S (1963) New apple variety ‘Fuji’. Bull Hortic Res Stn Jpn Ser C 1:1–6 (in Japanese with English summary)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sahu P, Sharma N, Sharma DP (2013) Effect of in situ moisture conservation, forchlorfenuron and boron on growth, fruit cracking and yield of pomegranate cv. Kandhari under rainfed conditions of Himachal Pradesh. Indian J Hortic 7:501–505

  • Sawada E (1931) Studies on the cracking of cherries. Agric Hortic 6:864–892

    Google Scholar 

  • Schilstra-vanVeelen IM, Bakker JC (1985) Cracking of tomato fruits. Annu. Rpt. Glasshouse Crops Res. Expt. Stnd, Naaldwijk, p 39

  • Sekse L (2008) Fruit cracking in sweet cherries—some recent advances. Acta Hortic 795:615–625

    Google Scholar 

  • Sekse L, Bjerke KL, Vangdal E (2005) Fruit cracking in sweet cherries—an integrated approach. Acta Hortic 667:471–474

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma N, Belsare C (2011) Effect of plant bio-regulators and nutrients on fruit cracking and quality in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) ‘G-137’. Acta Hortic 890(1):345–352

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma SB, Dhillon DS (1998) Endogenous levels of abscisic acid in relation to fruit cracking in Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.), Agricultural Science Digest, India, 8(1):55–58

  • Sharma N, Singh K (2008) Effect of plant growth regulators on fruit set, yield and fruit quality in pear cv. Baggugosha. Asian J Hortic Sci 3(2): 352–356

  • Sherafati A, Hokmabadi H, Abbaspour H (2012) Early splitting and irregular cracking hull on pistachio cultivars (Pistacia vera L.) in North-East of Iran. Acta Hortic 963:247–249

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon G (2006) Review on rain induced fruit cracking of sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.), its causes and the possibilities of prevention. Int J Hortic Sci 12(3):27–35

  • Simon G, Hrotkó K, Magyar L (2004) Fruit quality of sweet cherry cultivars grafted on four different rootstocks. Acta Hortic 658(1):65–370

    Google Scholar 

  • Smilanick JL, Mlikota F, Hartsell PL, Muhareb JS, Denis-Arrue N (2000) The quality of three table grape varieties fumigated with methyl bromide at doses recommended for the control of mealybugs. HortTechnology 10:159–162

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tucker R (1934) A varietal study of the susceptibility of sweet cherries to cracking, University of Idaho Agriculture Experimental Station Bulletin, vol 211, pp 1–15

  • Veera S, Das RC (1971) Effect of 2,4-D, NAA, GA and 2,4,5-T on fruit weight and fruit cracking in litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn) var Muzaffarpur. Plant Sci 3:126–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Verner L (1957) Procedure for determining resistance of sweet cherry varieties to fruit cracking. Fruit Var Hortic Dig 12:3–4

    Google Scholar 

  • Wakasa Y, Hatsuyama Y, Takahashi A, Sato T, Niizeki M, Harada T (2003) Divergent expression of six expansin genes during apple fruit ontogeny. Eur J Hortic Sci 68:253–259

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walter JC (1967) Hereditary resistance to disease in tomato. Annu Rev Phytopathol 5:131–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang HC (1998) Studies on the cracking susceptibility of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) pericarp. M.Sc. thesis, Sth. China Agric. Univ., Guangzhou

  • Way RD (1967) Cherry varieties for New York State. Cornell Extension Bulletin 1197, New York State College of Agriculture

  • Wermund U, Holland A, Reardon S (2005) Cracking susceptibility of sweet cherries in the United Kingdom in relation to Calcium application and covering system. Acta Hortic 667:475–480

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wo SM, Osman A, Ahmad SH, Saari N (2005) Peel and pulp splitting disorder in Mas banana (Musa cv Mas (AA)). J Food Agric Environ 3:213–217

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamada M, Ikeda I, Yamane H, Hirabayashi T (1988) Inheritance of fruit cracking at the calyx end and stylar end in Japanese persimmon. J Jpn Soc Hortic Sci 57:8–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yamada M, Sato A, Ukai Y (2002) Genetic differences and environmental variations in calyx-end fruit cracking among Japanese persimmon cultivars and selections. HortScience 37(1):164–167

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamaguchi M, Sato I, Takase K, Watanabe A, Ishiguro M (2004) Differences and yearly variation in number and size of mesocarp cells in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivars and related species. J Jpn Soc Hortic Sci 73:12–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yamamoto T, Satoh H (1994) Relationship among berry cracking susceptibility, berry morphology and skin stress distribution in several grape cultivars. J Jpn Soc Hortic Sci 63(2):247–256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yilmaz C, Özgüven AI (2006) Hormone physiology of preharvest fruit cracking in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). Acta Hortic 727:545–549

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yonemori K, Yamada M, Sugiura A (2000) Persimmon genetics and breeding. Plant Breeding Review. 191–225

  • Yong W, Wangjin L, Jianguo L (2006) Differential expression of two expansin genes in developing fruit of cracking-susceptible and resistant litchi cultivars. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 131(1):118–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Young HW (1958) Inheritance of fruit cracking. Tomato Genet Coop 8:38

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abdollah Khadivi-Khub.

Additional information

Communicated by A. K. Kononowicz.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Khadivi-Khub, A. Physiological and genetic factors influencing fruit cracking. Acta Physiol Plant 37, 1718 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-014-1718-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-014-1718-2

Keywords

Navigation