| Title: | Genome-wide association of volatiles reveals candidate loci for blueberry flavor |
| Author(s): | Ferrao LFV; Johnson TS; Benevenuto J; Edger PP; Colquhoun TA; Munoz PR; |
| Address: | "Blueberry Breeding and Genomics Lab, Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA. Environmental Horticulture Department, Plant Innovation Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA. Department of Horticulture, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1469-8137 (Electronic) 0028-646X (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Plants produce a range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some of which are perceived by the human olfactory system, contributing to a myriad flavors. Despite the importance of flavor for consumer preference, most plant breeding programs have neglected it, mainly because of the costs of phenotyping and the complexity of disentangling the role of VOCs in human perception. To develop molecular breeding tools aimed at improving fruit flavor, we carried out target genotyping of and VOC extraction from a blueberry population. Metabolite genome-wide association analysis was used to elucidate the genetic architecture, while predictive models were tested to prove that VOCs can be accurately predicted using genomic information. A historical sensory panel was considered to assess how the volatiles influenced consumers. By gathering genomics, metabolomics, and the sensory panel, we demonstrated that VOCs are controlled by a few major genomic regions, some of which harbor biosynthetic enzyme-coding genes; can be accurately predicted using molecular markers; and can enhance or decrease consumers' overall liking. Here we emphasized how the understanding of the genetic basis and the role of VOCs in consumer preference can assist breeders in developing more flavorful cultivars at a more inexpensive and accelerated pace" |
| Keywords: | *Blueberry Plants/genetics Fruit/genetics Genome-Wide Association Study Plant Breeding Taste/genetics *Volatile Organic Compounds Vaccinium spp.genome-wide association genomic prediction volatile; |
| Notes: | "MedlineFerrao, Luis Felipe V Johnson, Timothy S Benevenuto, Juliana Edger, Patrick P Colquhoun, Thomas A Munoz, Patricio R eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2020/01/31 New Phytol. 2020 Jun; 226(6):1725-1737. doi: 10.1111/nph.16459. Epub 2020 Mar 9" |
