Elucidating the impact of ploidy level on biochemical content accumulation in haskap (Lonicera caerulea L. subsp. edulis (Turcz. ex Herder) Hultén) fruits: A comprehensive approach for fruit assessment

Abstract

Artificially induced polyploidies in haskap (Lonicera caerulea L. subsp. edulis (Turcz. ex Herder) Hultén) were used in a systematic investigation to uncover the complex interplay between ploidy variations and the metabolic processes that govern the accumulation of biochemical compounds in fruits. This study used two distinct measurement units to support a rich analytical output to enhance the robustness of fruit quality evaluation substantially. Strong positive linear relationships were identified between ploidy levels and specific substances, including quinic acid and sorbitol. Conversely, several other substances had little or weak linear correlation with ploidy, underscoring that ploidy level can influence the accumulation of biochemical compounds in a substance-specific manner. This study reveals that tetraploid fruits, particularly individual accessions, demonstrate superior quality compared to other ploidy levels. This superiority is more notably pronounced when evaluated regarding content per fruit (CPF). Our findings provide key insights into the effects of ploidy on fruit quality with potential implications for future haskap breeding and cultivation practices. They also underscore the need for an in-depth understanding of the genetic and physiological factors that drive these variations. Such knowledge is crucial for strategically harnessing these variations and optimizing the quality and yield of haskap fruit production.