National Key Research and Development Program Project (2023YFD1600600); Guangxi Natural Science Foundation Projects (2024GXNSFBA010406, 2024GXNSFAA010006); Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences Basic Research Business Special Project (Gui Nong Ke 2023 YM27, Gui Nong Ke 2023 YM28, Gui Nong Ke 2021 YT157)
“Postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD)” represents a unique postharvest stress response in cassava (Manihot esculenta), severely constraining its commercialization. The scarcity of PPD-tolerant germplasm resources constitutes a critical bottleneck restricting industrial development of cassava.. Therefore, creation and selecting novel PPD-tolerant cassava germplasms, coupled with the elucidation of their resistance mechanisms, are of critical importance for effectively addressing cassava PPD challenges. In this study, 166 germplasms of Xin Xuan 048 (XX048) inbred line of cassava were used as research objects to observe and evaluate the degree of decay of cassava tubers stored for 0d, 6d, 12d, 18d, 24d and 30d after harvesting, and samples were taken to determine relevant physiological indicators of the tubers. The results showed that X045 and X126 began to brown on the 24th day of storage, X077, X088, and X147 began to brown on the 30th day of storage, and the browing area of the five germplasms were all less than 10%,which showed that these five germplasms were more PPD resistant and had good storage resistance, and could be used as excellent materials for breeding cassava for PPD resistance.X024 and X100 showed varying degrees of browning on the 12th day of storage, and X062, X085, and X133 began to show browning on the 18th day of storage. After 24 days of storage, the browning area of all five germplasms exceeded 50%,and the tubers were seriously decayed after 30 days of storage, which indicated that they were prone to PPD and had poor storage tolerance after harvesting. Correlation analysis showed that the browning area of germplasm was positively correlated with dry matter content, starch content and POD enzyme activity significantly, positively correlated with SOD and CAT enzyme activity and MDA content, and negatively correlated with β-carotene content.It can be seen that germplasm with high dry matter content and starch content of cassava tubers are more susceptible to postharvest decay and poor PPD resistance.The content of β-carotene can be used as the main indicator for evaluating the PPD tolerance of cassava inbred lines. The results of this study will provide data support for the research of on the mechanism of regulating PPD resistance in cassava and the breeding of new varieties resistant to PPD. The findings provide a material basis for storage tolerance, PPD resistance mechanisms and new varieties breeding of cassava. At the same time, it is of great significance for the growth and development of cassava.