Role of seed in spongy tissue formation in Alphonso mango biochemical studies

Abstract

Biochemical Studies showed that moisture content was significantly higher in seeds from spongy-tissue-affected fruits (STS) than seeds from healthy fruits (HS).Analysis of seed components revealed that STS had significantly lower starch content (33.5%) and higher levels of soluble sugars (27.7%) than HS. The incidence of spongy tissue was associated with increased seed respiration rate and amylase activity indicating that the seed in ST fruits had switched over to germination phase. A substantial increase in the content of soluble protein (43.1%) in STS indicated de novo synthesis of various enzymes associated with germination. There was a significant increase in spongy tissue incidence in preharvest GA3 treated fruits (70.2%), while there was a considerable reduction in incidence in paclobutrazol (16.4%) treated fruits as compared to 51.5% incidence in the control. GA3treatment also resulted in higher intensity of spongy tissue. The seeds from HS and STS fruits were distinctly different in their physiological status and biochemical composition. The data clearly indicated that spongy tissue in Alphonso mango is triggered by the onset of seed germination associated events. These events lead to development of spongy tissue in the pulp close to the stone by the continuous transfer of water from pulp to the germinating seed. This theory of seed origin of spongy tissue is amply supported by experimental data and more importantly this concept is able to explain all the facts known so far about spongy tissue.