My lab is interested in understanding processes that influence fruit ripening and postharvest shelf-life. Our goal is to identify key genes, metabolites and regulatory networks that influence ripening, shelf-life and quality in blueberries and peppers. Identifying the above factors will be important to develop strategies to enhance postharvest shelf-life and quality. Below are some of the specific objectives that we plan to pursue.
Identifying factors that regulate ripening in blueberries:
My lab is interested in identifying metabolic networks that regulate ripening in blueberries using transcriptome sequencing and metabolite analysis. Such analyses are expected to reveal specific pathways that are important in regulating ripening and may help develop strategies to enhance postharvest shelf-life and quality. My lab is also investigating the role of phytohormones such as abscisic acid (ABA) during blueberry fruit ripening in postharvest shelf-life extension.
Understanding factors that affect postharvest quality:
My lab is interested in investigating factors that contribute to fruit softening during postharvest storage in blueberries. We have identified blueberry varieties that store well compared to other varieties that have a poor shelf-life. Using these varieties, we plan to identify gene regulatory networks and changes in metabolites during postharvest storage to identify key players that contribute to changes in fruit texture, and quality.
Investigating factors that contribute to the development of blossom end rot (BER) in bell-pepper:
BER is considered to be a calcium-related disorder that sets in during early stages of fruit growth and results in brown sunken spots at the distal-end of the fruit causing huge economic losses. My lab is interested in identifying mechanisms that contribute to BER development in bell pepper cultivars. We plan to screen and select for BER-resistant cultivars and to identify physiological and fruit growth variables that are important to prevent the onset of BER. We also plan to determine the effect of irrigation and calcium application on the development of BER. Data from these studies will be effective in developing management strategies to minimize BER