Anthocyanin content in cultivated Fragaria vesca berries under high temperature and water deficit stress

Plants exposed to stress conditions often synthesize anthocyanins and other flavonoids in response. It is known that anthocyanins and their derivative compounds have beneficial effects on human health. The aim of our study was to evaluate anthocyanin content changes in berries of cultivated F. vesca hybrid under water deficit and high temperature stress during the entire cropping season. It was established that higher temperature and water deficit in the greenhouse accelerate and sustain berry ripening and increase berry yield from the second week of cropping. Anthocyanin amount changed twice during the experiment, the first and the fourth weeks after the beginning of treatment. These changes are connected with decrease of yield and temperature fluctuations during cropping. It was found that water stress increased anthocyanin amount in cultivated F. vesca berries during the first week of the treatment and decreased it later. Higher temperatures in the greenhouse decreased ratio of cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (C3G) and increased ratio of pelargonidin 3-O-glucoside (Pel3G).