Work

A novel trait to reduce the mechanical damage of peach fruits at harvest: The first genetic dissection study for peduncle length

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: progeny of 117 individuals from the cross 'PI 91459 [NJ Weeping]' x 'Bounty' (WxBy). The progeny was phenotyped for three years (2011, 2012 and 2014) and the QTL mapping analysis was performed using four methods: Kruskall-Wallis, Interval Mapping, Multiple QTL Mapping and Genome-Wide Composite Interval Mapping. QTL analysis led to the identification of 9 QTLs distributed on linkage groups (LG) 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7. A stable QTL was identified on LG6 (22,978,897 to 24,666,094 bp) and explained up to 63% of the phenotypic variance. Within the genetic interval of the stable QTL on LG6 potential candidate genes with functional annotation encompassing cellular expansion, hormone regulation, transcriptional regulation, developmental processes such as meristem development, and responses to environmental cues were found. The results reported in this study represent the first insight into the genetic basis of PL and a step forward towards the introduction of novel traits in peach commercial breeding in order to minimize the problems related to mechanical damage/injuries to peach fruits that commonly might occur during at harvest and post-harvest processes. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-025-01547-3.

Source: Molecular Breeding

DOI: 10.1007/s11032-025-01547-3