Evaluating initial forms of strawberry for anthocyanin content in fruits

Abstract

In this paper, we evaluate strawberry varieties of different geographical origin in terms of anthocyanin content in fruits under the conditions of a particular region with the purpose of identifying valuable genotypes for inclusion in further breeding work and practical use. The research was conducted in 2015–2020 at the Kokino collection site of the Federal Research Center for Gardening, located 24 km south-west of the city of Bryansk, in the village of Kokino, Vygonichsky district, Bryansk region. The effect of genotype and weather conditions on the accumulation of anthocyanins in strawberry fruits was studied. The research objects included 35 strawberry varieties of domestic and foreign breeding. Observations were carried out in accordance with the conventional methodology for varietal study of fruit, berry and nut crops. Fruits for the analysis were collected in dry sunny weather, at the stage of optimum maturity. Anthocyanin content in fruits was determined according to the color scale developed by A. A. Zubov and K. V. Stankevich in Michurin Research Institute of Genetics and Fruit Plant Breeding. Most of the varieties (57.1%) were characterized by medium variability of the indicator by year (V = 10–20%). The varieties Sudaruska (24.9%), Darselekt (24.2%), Polka (20.2%), Mieze Schindler (34.1%), Tenira (28.3%) showed a high dependency of fruit anthocyanin content on climatic conditions during the ripening period. The varieties with dark-coloured fruits were found to be Rubinovy Kulon, Barynya, Tsaritsa and Amulet. Their coloring was associated with high anthocyanin levels (more than 80 mg/100 g). These varieties comprise a valuable source material for further breeding and practical use.