Effect of Hydrogen Sulfide Fumigation on Cell Wall and Disease of Postharvest Thompson Seedless Grape

In order to study the effect of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) fumigation on the cell wall-related enzyme activities and gene expression of post-harvest grape, the Thompson seedless of Turpan in Xinjiang was used as test material, 500 μL/L H₂S was used to fumigate the grapes every day for 5 times in all. After being placed at room temperature for 24 h, the grapes were inoculated by aspergillus niger. Regular sampling and analysis were carried out to determine the cell wall-related enzyme activities and gene expression of grape fruit. The results showed that 500 μL/L H₂S fumigation could delay the decrease of pectin content, β-1, 3 glucanase activity and chitinase activity during the whole storage period. H₂S could inhibit the increase of the enlargement of diseased spots, disease index, pectinase activity and relative conductance as well. The expression of VvPR-4 and VvGLU genes and the early expression of VvCHT gene in grape fruit could be induced by H₂S. It indicated that H₂S fumigation could protect the integrity of the cell wall and enhance its disease resistance, thus prolonging the storage and transportation period of postharvest grapes.