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The present research was conducted to investigate the effect of direct sun-light on color development of seedless barberry fruit. The selected orchards were in different locations (with different altitude). On some trees, some inflorescences were chosen to cover as bagged (excluded from direct sun-light). Some cases also used as non-bagged. Bagging was done in different times during growing season. Results showed that in all regions, day temperatures were higher than 20°C, and night was lower than 30°C. The lowest difference of day-night temperatures observed in Marvak. Bagging showed a significant effect on anthocyanin (ant), hue angle (h*), lightness and redness (a*). Bagging time significantly influenced chroma (C*) and b/a values. Ant, C*, a*, and a/b values significantly affected by location characteristics specifically altitude, and the highest ant and a* value observed in Marvak. In all locations, the highest value of ant and h* observed with not-bagged fruits. The highest value of a* obtained in not-bagged fruits. It is concluded that direct sun is needed for color development of barberry fruits, however, night-cool temperatures also are important for anthocyanin accumulation of this fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Barberry fruit is an important source of anthocyanin, and strongly uses for Zereshk Poloee, a delicious diet in Iran. OBJECTIVE: We are trying to find how fruit quality of barberry is affected under different locations and if sooner harvesting may be possible, which encouraged us to do these studies. METHODS: The present study was conducted in three different locations (Marvak, Marak and Amirabad with 2079, 1648 and 1480 m altitude) around Birjand, Iran. Fruit sampling was done 66, 98, 122, 155 days after full bloom (DAFB) and also in economical harvesting (EH) date. RESULTS: The results showed that berry number, fruit fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW), juice weight and volume, pH, total acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), maturity index, anthocyanin and total phenols significantly changed with advancement of growing season under different climatic conditions. Interactive effect of sampling time×location indicated the highest pH in Marak and Amirabad and the highest TSS and TSS/TA ratio in Amirabad in EH, and the highest phenols in Marak in 155 DAFB and EH. The highest anthocyanin content accumulated in Marvak, exactly in EH. Using changes in FW, DW and volume of fruit, a double-sigmoidal curve observed for barberry fruit growth. CONCLUSION: Regarding to obtained data and specially anthocyanin accumulation, we propose regions with higher altitude for seedless barberry cultivation and production because of earlier harvest with more qualified fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]