The development of the cuticle and epicuticular wax of the grape berry

Abstract

The cuticle and epicuticular wax of Thompson Seedless grape berries developed as morphologically and developmentally distinct layers covering the epidermal cells of the pistil. The ovary surface had no cuticle or wax covering until approximately 4 weeks before anthesis. The cuticle began to form about 3 weeks before anthesis as highly organized, tightly appressed cuticular ridges. These ridges began to spread apart late in the period of pre-anthesis pistil expansion. The ridges continued to spread apart and flatten, and became progressively more disorganized during post-anthesis berry growth. Epicuticular wax formation began with the appearance of small, simple wax platelets within a few days after anthesis. The wax platelets increased in size, number and cornplexity. as the berries matured.