Abstract
An investigation of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) fruit and juice color dimensions (L* a* b*) was conducted to estimate genetic parameters and determine breeding strategies for improving fruit color in the University of Florida strawberry breeding population. The genetic analysis was conducted using clonally replicated seedlings from a factorial mating design with additional biparental crosses and was evaluated in two locations. Substantial additive and non-additive genetic variation was described for most traits. Low genotype by environment interactions indicate that color evaluations may be conducted in either of the two test locations. Consistent with previous reports, genetic correlations indicated that internal and external fruit colors are under separate genetic control. Colorimeter a* and L* values described the same information for internal color in that internal flesh that was darker in color also appeared more red. A method was developed to reliably measure a* and L* for small (2 ml) samples of strawberry juice. Juice a* had significant genetic correlations with internal a* and may be used as a correlated trait to improve the internal redness of the fruit. However, pigments from the external tissues of the fruit appear to also impact the L* value of strawberry juice, complicating the effects of selection on juice color traits.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baltunis BS, Huber DA, White TL, Goldfarb B, Stelzer HE (2007) Genetic gain from selection for rooting ability and early growth in vegetatively propagated clones of loblolly pine. Tree Genet Genom 3:227–238
Campbell BL, Nelson RG, Ebel RC, Dozier WA, Adrian JL, Hockema BR (2004) Fruit quality characteristics that affect consumer preferences for satsuma mandarins. HortScience 39:1664–1669
Falconer DS (1996) Introduction to quantitative genetics. Longman, New York
Foster GS, Shaw DV (1988) Using clonal replicates to explore genetic variation in a perennial plant species. Theor Appl Genet 76:788–794
Frank CA, Nelson RG, Simonne EH, Behe BK, Simmone AH (2001) Consumer preferences for color, price, and vitamin C content of bell peppers. HortScience 36:795–800
Garden-Robinson J (2009) What color is your food? North Dakota State University Extension Service. FN-595, USA
Gilmour AR, Gogel BG, Cullis BR, Thompson R (2009) ASReml User Guide Release 3.0. VSN International Ltd, Hertfordshire. http://www.vsni.co.uk
Hill WG, Goddard ME, Visscher PM (2008) Data and theory point to mainly additive genetic variance for complex traits. PLoS Genet 4(2):e1000008. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1000008
Hutchings JB (1999) Food color and appearance. Aspen Publishers, Gaithersburg
Jaros D, Rohm H (2001) A research note. Identification of sensory color optima of strawberry yogurt. J Food Qual 24:79–86
Li C, Kader A (1989) Residual effects of controlled atmospheres on postharvest physiology and quality of strawberries. J Amer Soc Hort Sci 114:629–634
Lundergan CA, Moore JN (1975) Inheritance of ascorbic acid content and color intensity in fruits of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). J Amer Soc Hort Sci 100:633–635
Manalo AB (1990) Assessing the importance of apple attributes: an agricultural application of conjoint analysis. Northeastern J Ag Res Econ 19:118–124
McGuire RG (1992) Reporting of objective color measurements. HortScience 27:1254–1255
Pelayo-Zaldivar C, Ebeler S, Kader A (2005) Cultivar and harvest date effects on flavor and other quality attributes of California strawberries. J Food Qual 28:78–97
Pelayo-Zaldivar C, Abda J, Ebeler S, Kader A (2007) Quality and chemical changes associated with flavor of ‘Camarosa’ strawberries in response to a CO2-enriched atmosphere. HortScience 42:299–303
Reitmeier CA, Nonnecke GR (1991) Objective and sensory evaluation of fresh fruit of day neutral strawberry cultivars. HortSci 26:843–845
Sacks E, Shaw DV (1994) Optimum allocation of objective color measurements for evaluating fresh strawberries. J Amer Soc Hort Sci 119:330–334
Shaw DV (1991) Genetic variation for objective and subjective measures of fresh fruit color in strawberries. J Amer Soc Hort Sci 116:894–898
Shaw DV, Sacks E (1995) Response in genotypic and breeding value to a single generation of divergent selection for fresh fruit color in strawberry. J Amer Soc Hort Sci 120:270–273
Spigler RB, Lewers KS, Main DS, Ashman T-L (2008) Genetic mapping of sex determination in wild strawberry, Fragaria virginiana, reveals earliest form of sex chromosome. Heredity 101:507–517
Whitaker VM, Hasing T, Chandler CK, Plotto A, Baldwin E (2011) Historical trends in strawberry fruit quality revealed by a trial of University of Florida cultivars and advanced selections. HortScience 46:553–557
Wrolstad RE, Ngo T, Finn CE, Zhao Y (2008) Color quality of fresh and processed strawberries, p. xviii–xlii. In: Culver CA, Wrolstad RE (eds) Color quality of fresh and processed foods. American Chemical Society, Washington
Yamada Y (1962) Genotype by environment interaction and genetic correlation of the same trait under different environments. Jpn J Genet 37:498–509
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the valuable assistance of Dr. Salvador Gezan in constructing genetic models.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hasing, T., Osorio, L.F. & Whitaker, V.M. Estimation of genetic parameters and gains for color traits of strawberry. Euphytica 186, 303–311 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-011-0566-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-011-0566-z