Abstract
In Southern Italy and Sicily, strawberry cultivation is dominated by international cultivars such as ‘Candonga Sabrosa’, ‘Florida Fortuna’, ‘Sabrina’ and ‘Sant Andreas’. The primary objective of our study was to compare the field performance of two experimental lines and four established cultivars in a Sicilian representative strawberry production area. The second objective was to compare the fruits physic-chemical nutraceutical characteristics of these genotypes in response to different postharvest fruit storage temperatures. A supporting genetic analysis, via SSR markers, was also performed in order to establish genotype correlations. Our study confirmed the high result of ‘Florida Fortuna’ in terms of earliness and productivity and the high performance of ‘Candonga Sabrosa’ in terms of total soluble content and fruit firmness. The new lines ‘PA1’ and ‘PA2’ showed satisfying results. However, the new line ‘PA2’, might deserve particular attention by growers involved in strawberry early fruit production in Mediterranean areas both for its yield performance and fruit quality characteristics. This study also showed that a 4 °C fruit storage temperature treatment for 36 hours positively affects the physical and chemical quality properties of strawberry fruits, whereas overall quality declines at 20 °C storage. According to the genetic characterization, ‘PA2’ was closely related to ‘Candonga Sabrosa’ and ‘Florida Fortuna’.
Highlights
IntroductionThe cultivated strawberry Fragaria × ananassa Duch
The cultivated strawberry Fragaria × ananassa Duch. (2n = 8x = 56) is an economically important fruit crop belonging to the Rosaceae family, with a worldwide production of 4,516,810 tonnes and a Gross Production Value of 10,745 million dollars (USD) in 2012 (FAOSTAT, 2012)
Strawberry breeding activity in Mediterranean environments is nowadays aimed to select new genotypes characterized by early fruit ripening, adapted to fresh plant plantations, and characterized by a longer postharvest life (D’Anna et al, 2014a)
Summary
The cultivated strawberry Fragaria × ananassa Duch. (2n = 8x = 56) is an economically important fruit crop belonging to the Rosaceae family, with a worldwide production of 4,516,810 tonnes and a Gross Production Value of 10,745 million dollars (USD) in 2012 (FAOSTAT, 2012). United States of America represents the first producer of strawberry (1,934,361 tonnes) followed by Europe (1,316,950 tonnes). Spain is the first producer in Europe (289,900 tonnes), while Italy showed a production of 40,858 tonnes distributed in 1,981 Ha, with a Gross Production Value of 116 million dollars (USD) in 2012 (FAOSTAT, 2012). Progress in crop plant productivity is generally due by changes in the cultural environment, in genetics, and by their interaction, and the success of strawberry crop in Sicily is an example of these effects (D’Anna and Iapichino, 2002)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
