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QTL mapping of aroma compounds analysed by headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography in the apple progeny ‘Discovery’ × ‘Prima’

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Abstract

Improving fruit quality of apple varieties is an important but complex breeding goal. Flavour is among the key factors of apple fruit quality but in spite of the analytical and biochemical knowledge about volatiles little is known about the genetic and molecular bases of apple aroma. The aim of this study was to use a saturated molecular linkage map of apple to identify QTLs for aroma compounds such as alcohols, esters and terpenes, but also for a number of unidentified volatile compounds (non-targeted analysis approach). Two parental genetic maps were constructed for the apple cultivars ‘Discovery’ and ‘Prima’ by using mainly AFLP and SSR markers. ‘Discovery’ and ‘Prima’ showed very different volatile patterns, and ‘Discovery’ mostly had the higher volatile concentrations in comparison with the Vf-scab resistant ‘Prima’ which has its origin in the small-fruited apple species Malus floribunda. About 50 putative QTLs for a total of 27 different apple fruit volatiles were detected through interval mapping by using genotypic data of 150 F1 individuals of the mapping population ‘C3’ together with phenotypic data obtained by head-space solid phase microextraction gas chromatography. QTLs for volatile compounds putatively involved in apple aroma were found on 12 out of the 17 apple chromosomes, but they were not evenly dispersed. QTLs were mainly clustered on linkage groups LG 2, 3 and 9. In a first attempt, a LOX (lipoxygenase) candidate gene, putatively involved in volatile metabolism, was mapped on LG 9, genetically associated with a cluster of QTLs for ester-type volatiles. Implications for aroma breeding in apple are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Astrid Sahre, Regina Gläss, Jürgen Egerer, Margitta Dießner and Kirsten Weiß for their excellent technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Institute for Breeding Research on Horticultural and Fruit Crops, Pillnitzer Platz 3a, 01326, Dresden, Germany

    F. Dunemann, A. Boudichevskaia & C. Grafe

  2. Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Institute for Ecological Chemistry, Plant Analysis and Stored Product Protection, Erwin-Baur-Str. 27, 06484, Quedlinburg, Germany

    D. Ulrich

  3. Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Institut für Agrar- und Ernährungswissenschaften, Julius-Kühn-Str. 25, 06099, Halle, Germany

    W. E. Weber

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  1. F. Dunemann
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  2. D. Ulrich
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Correspondence to F. Dunemann.

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Dunemann, F., Ulrich, D., Boudichevskaia, A. et al. QTL mapping of aroma compounds analysed by headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography in the apple progeny ‘Discovery’ × ‘Prima’. Mol Breeding 23, 501–521 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11032-008-9252-9

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