Preliminary study on the inheritance of volatile organic compounds in 40 F1 hybrid strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) progeny from a ‘Camarosa’ (♀) × ‘Benihoppe’ (♂) cross

Abstract

SummaryThe aroma of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is one of the most iconic fruit scents. Over 360 different aromatic compounds have been identified from strawberry. In order to analyse patterns of inheritance in the biosynthesis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in strawberry, 40 hybrid strawberry plants from a cross between ‘Camarosa’ (♀) and ‘Benihoppe’ (♂) that emitted different scents were characterised. The 89 most abundant VOCs synthesised by the parents and the hybrid progeny were identified, and the relative contents of the VOCs among individual progeny plants were used to study the inheritance of aroma-related traits. Methyl butanoate, ethyl butanoate, hexyl hexanoate, methyl hexanoate, octyl caproate, ethyl caprylate, and hexyl acetate were detected in > 75.0% of the progeny plants and were the most common VOCs. The important VOC, nerolidol, appeared to be inherited in a qualitative manner, while linalool was inherited quantitatively. An analysis of the inheritance of these major VOCs should help breeders select suitable material with the potential for improved aroma, and assist in future selection and breeding processes.