Sensorial and nutritional quality of inter and intra—Specific strawberry genotypes selected in resilient conditions

Abstract

The strawberry breeding is now aimed to produce new cultivars combining high plant adaptability and yield with high sensorial and nutritional quality of the fruit. The aim of this study is to assess the breeding progress achieved in 3 backcross generations (BC1, BC2, BC3) from F1 Fragaria x ananassa (Fxa) x F. virginiana glauca (FVG) interspecific crosses, in terms of productive parameters (plant commercial yield) and the sensorial quality (Average Fruit Weight, Soluble Solids and Titratable Acidity). Among those genotypes, the most interesting were selected and analyzed for nutritional parameters (Total Antioxidant Capacity, Total Phenolics Content and Total Anthocyanins Content by spectrophotometer; Vitamin C, specific Anthocyanins and specific Phenolic Acids through HPLC). For the sensorial analyses, the BC3 genotypes showed higher Soluble Solids content in respect to BC1 and BC2. Regarding the Titratable Acidity, F1 showed the highest values. Also for the qualitative parameters, BC3 showed a higher value, in particular for the Total Antioxidant Capacity and phenolic acids content. For the Total Phenolics Content and the Total Anthocyanins Content the highest values were registered in F1 and Fxa (aimed to Industry), respectively. Finally, in the case of Vitamin C, the BC1 had fruits rich in this compound. The highest values for anthocyanins content were registered in Fxa (aimed to Industry). The results of the back-crossing program developed at UNIVPM-D3A showed that the BC3 generation possess many improved characters, in respect to Fxa genotype and the F1 generation.