Pomology
Research with the fruit trees of Okayama, Japan and the World in Mind
Staff
 | Prof. M. FUKUDA Fumio E-mail： ffukuda (please add @okayama-u.ac.jp) Analysis of mechanism for physiological disorders in deciduous fruit trees |
 | Assoc. Prof. Dr. HIRANO Ken E-mail： khirano (please add @okayama-u.ac.jp) Physiological analysis of fruit scent and seedlessness |
 | Assoc. Prof. Dr. KAWAI Takashi E-mail： tkawai(please add @okayama-u.ac.jp) |
Research Topics
Okayama prefecture, known as a ‘Fruit Kingdom’, is famous for the production of high-quality fruit, mainly peaches and grapes. One of the aims of our laboratory is to establish new resolution and cultivation methods to improve the productivity and quality of peaches and grapes in Okayama. We also attempt to elucidate the mechanisms regulating important agronomic traits, such as fruit ripening, texture, and physiological disorder, by combining field-based experiments and molecular biological approaches.
Studies on physiological disorders in peaches, and non-destructive detection of them
Due to the recent higher temperature and intensive rainfall, several kinds of fruit disorder, such as reddish pulp, split pit, and watery disorder, have become a serious problem for peach production in Okayama. We are trying to develop new cultivation methods to prevent these disorders by controlling environmental conditions or treatment of specific hormone. As it is difficult to distinguish some internal disorders by fruit appearance, we are developing a non-destructive evaluation system employing an acoustic vibration method. This technique will provide us with more information to elucidate the mechanisms of problematic fruit disorders and to establish new prevention technologies.
Characterization of ultra-late maturing peach varieties
Most peach varieties grown in Okayama region come to harvest from July to September. Recently, novel peach varieties that do not ripen until mid- to late November have been found in Sojya area of Okayama prefecture. We are researching the optimum harvest time and ripening method of these ultra-late maturing peach varieties as well as appropriate methods of tree management.
Ultra-late maturing peach varieties
Investigation of the cause of coloring failure in grapes
Temperature and precipitation data from different regions are collected to assess the effects of environmental conditions on coloring disorder of grapes. Also, we have been studying and developing counter-measures to protect grapes.
Spot coloring disorder of grape skin
Virus-induced gene silencing in Prunus fruit tree species and its application
Apple latent spherical virus (ALSV) vectors have been shown to effectively induce stable virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in a wide range of plant species. We are attempting to develop a VIGS-based gene evaluation system for Prunus fruit tree species, such as almond, sweet cherry, peach, and apricot, with the ALSV vectors. We are also trying to apply this technique for induction of precocious flowering in Prunus.
VIGS of PDS gene in almond