Celia M. Cantín

Evaluation of the Antioxidant Capacity, Phenolic Compounds, and Vitamin C Content of Different Peach and Nectarine [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] Breeding Progenies

Antioxidant capacity and contents of total phenolics, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and vitamin C were evaluated in 218 genotypes from 15 peach and nectarine breeding progenies. Significant differences were found among progenies on the fruit antioxidant profile, corroborated by the high contribution showed by cross to the phenotypic variance of each phytochemical trait analyzed (16-45%). Phytochemical profile varied depending on peach/nectarine and yellow/white flesh color qualitative traits. On the other hand, no significant effect of year was found on the bioactive profile of peaches and nectarines. Antioxidant capacity was linearly correlated to total phenolic content, but correlation varied depending on the progeny. No correlation was found for vitamin C versus any other phytochemical trait. The results suggest the importance of genetic background on the antioxidant profile of peaches and nectarines and stress its relevance for the ultimate objective of this work: selecting new peach and nectarine genotypes rich in bioactive compounds to benefit consumers health.

Phenotypic diversity and relationships of fruit quality traits in peach and nectarine (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) breeding progenies

Agronomic and fruit quality traits were evaluated and compared for three consecutive years on 1,111 seedlings coming from 15 peach and nectarine breeding crosses, grown under a Mediterranean climate. Significant differences among and within the different progenies were found for most of the traits analyzed. The breeding population segregated for several Mendelian characters such as peach or nectarine fruit, round or flat fruit, yellow or white flesh and freestone or clingstone. In addition, aborting fruit and flat fruit trees were found in our progeny, and our data seem to support multi-allelic control of both flat shape and aborting fruit. The variation within the progenies of some traits such as blooming and harvesting date, yield, fruit weight and SSC was continuous, suggesting a polygenic inheritance. Relationships between qualitative pomological traits and these agronomic and fruit quality parameters were also found. Valuable correlations among agronomic and fruit quality parameters were found, although coefficients of variation depending on the progeny should be considered. In addition, principal component analysis (PCA) revealed several relationships among quality traits in the evaluated progenies. Based on this evaluation, 26 outstanding genotypes were pre-selected from the initial breeding population for further studies.

Influence of antioxidant compounds, total sugars and genetic background on the chilling injury susceptibility of a non-melting peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) progeny.

BACKGROUND To identify genotypes with good organoleptic properties, antioxidant-rich content and low susceptibility to chilling injury (CI), fruits from 130 peach cultivars were studied over three consecutive years. Pomological traits, l-ascorbic acid, flavonoids, total phenolics, relative antioxidant capacity (RAC) and sugars were determined. Major symptoms of CI developed at 5 °C, such as leatheriness, flesh browning, bleeding and loss of flavor, were evaluated. RESULTS The population exhibited wide phenotypic variation in agronomic and biochemical traits. Six genotypes with high total phenolics, RAC, flavonoids and total sugars were selected. The progeny also showed variability for all evaluated CI symptoms, and 16 genotypes showed considerably lower susceptibility to CI. After 2 weeks of cold storage, leatheriness and bleeding were the main CI symptoms observed, whereas flesh browning was predominant after 4 weeks. CONCLUSION It was possible to find varieties with high phenolic concentration and relatively low or intermediate CI susceptibility (22, 33, 68, 80, 81, 96 and 120). However, the correlations observed between CI and phenolic contents highlight their potential influence on susceptibility to internal browning. This relationship should be considered in the current breeding programs to select cultivars with high bioactive compound contents, health-enhancing properties and good postharvest performance.

Seleção de progênies e genitores de pessegueiro com base nas características dos frutos

ABSTRACT – Good fruit quality is one of the most important objectives in peach breeding, it has a direct relationship with the market and consumer preferences. With regard to quality, it means to obtain productive plants, with large and firm fruits, good flavor and attractive color. However, Brazilian peach still does not present good characteristics, mainly regarding firmness, when compared with the international peach patterns. The aim of this study was to evaluate, to select and to indicate some peach genotypes that produce fruit with good quality and non-melting flesh, for future use as male parent in the Peach Breeding Program of Universidade Federal de Vicosa. The studies were carried out at the Experimental Station of Aula Dei (CSIC), Zaragoza – Spain, during the period of May to August in 2006. About 687 seedlings, from 17 peach populations [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch], were evaluated. Based on the obtained results, pollen from ‘Crown Princess’ and from seedlings VADAC 0027, VADAC 0052, VADAC 0063 and VADAC0065 could be recommended as parent in the Peach Breeding Program of UFV, aiming to obtain non-melting flesh fruits, with good quality traits.Index terms: Prunus persica, peach breeding, fruit texture.

Divergência genética entre progênies de pessegueiro em Zaragoza, Espanha

This work aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity among seventeen peach progenies and 687 seedlings. The most important characteristics in the genetic divergence evaluation of fruit quality traits were calculated by using a multivariate analysis. Trials were carried out at the Experimental Station of Aula Dei (CSIC), Zaragoza - Spain. Traits such as yield, fruit number per tree, fruit weight, epidermis coloration, firmness, fruit height, suture diameter (SD), cheek diameter (CD), CD/SD ratio, soluble solids content (SSC, oBrix), pH, titratable acidity (TA) and SSC/TA index, were evaluated. Yield, fruit number per tree and fruit weight were the characteristics that contributed the most for genetic divergence. Based on this evaluation, hybridizations between superior genotypes from VADAC 0055, VADAC 0027, VADAC 0036, VADAC 0063 and VADAC 0065 populations were recommended.

Comunicação científica divergência genética entre progênies de pessegueiro em Zaragoza, Espanha

This work aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity among seventeen peach progenies and 687 seedlings. The most important characteristics in the genetic divergence evaluation of fruit quality traits were calculated by using a multivariate analysis. Trials were carried out at the Experimental Station of Aula Dei (CSIC), Zaragoza - Spain. Traits such as yield, fruit number per tree, fruit weight, epidermis coloration, firmness, fruit height, suture diameter (SD), cheek diameter (CD), CD/SD ratio, soluble solids content (SSC, oBrix), pH, titratable acidity (TA) and SSC/TA index, were evaluated. Yield, fruit number per tree and fruit weight were the characteristics that contributed the most for genetic divergence. Based on this evaluation, hybridizations between superior genotypes from VADAC 0055, VADAC 0027, VADAC 0036, VADAC 0063 and VADAC 0065 populations were recommended.