Intraspecific Hybridization and Heritability of Biometric and Biochemical Traits in F1 Blueberry (<i>Vaccinium corymbosum</i> L.) Hybrids
Blueberry breeding requires a significant commitment of time, skilled labour, and financial resources, but it is essential to develop new cultivars that can meet challenges such as climate change, disease resistance, and changing market preferences. Intraspecific hybridisationis a widely used breedi...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Oana Hera Monica Sturzeanu Loredana Elena Vijan |
| author_facet | Oana Hera Monica Sturzeanu Loredana Elena Vijan |
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| description | Blueberry breeding requires a significant commitment of time, skilled labour, and financial resources, but it is essential to develop new cultivars that can meet challenges such as climate change, disease resistance, and changing market preferences. Intraspecific hybridisationis a widely used breeding strategy to increase genetic diversity, broaden the selection base, and develop new cultivars. By crossing different varieties and making advanced selections, breeders can introduce desirable traits such as improved fruit quality, increased yield, improved disease resistance and greater adaptability to environmental conditions. The present study aimed to evaluate the heritability of some key biometric and biochemical parameters inblueberry hybrids derived from intraspecific crosses to assess their inheritance patterns. The results can guide breeders in selecting parent combinations that maximise genetic gain, ultimately supporting the advancement of commercial blueberry production. The ‘Delicia × 4/6’ hybrid combination showed excellent performance for total polyphenol content, flavonoids, tannins, and ascorbic acid, with high genetic gain and near complete heritability, making it a promising candidate for improving antioxidant activity. The ‘Azur × Northblue’ hybrid had favourable total anthocyanin and tannin content, but an unfavourable sugar and ascorbic acid profile.The ‘Simultan × Duke’ hybrid combination showed the highest genetic gain for total soluble solids and firmness, together with high positive heterosis and heterotic progress, highlighting its potential for high-quality cultivars suitable for mechanical harvesting and storage. This research provides valuable insights into the efficiency of intraspecific hybridisationin the development of new blueberry cultivars with improved agronomic and nutritional qualities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ba788c489f994e80bf3f8898d843db4d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2311-7524 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-ba788c489f994e80bf3f8898d843db4d2025-08-20T02:21:06ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242025-06-0111663010.3390/horticulturae11060630Intraspecific Hybridization and Heritability of Biometric and Biochemical Traits in F1 Blueberry (<i>Vaccinium corymbosum</i> L.) HybridsOana Hera0Monica Sturzeanu1Loredana Elena Vijan2Research Institute for Fruit Growing Pitesti-Maracineni, 402 Mărului Street, 117450 Pitesti, RomaniaResearch Institute for Fruit Growing Pitesti-Maracineni, 402 Mărului Street, 117450 Pitesti, RomaniaFaculty of Sciences, Physical Education and Computer Science, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Pitesti University Centre, 1 Targu din Vale Street, 110040 Pitesti, RomaniaBlueberry breeding requires a significant commitment of time, skilled labour, and financial resources, but it is essential to develop new cultivars that can meet challenges such as climate change, disease resistance, and changing market preferences. Intraspecific hybridisationis a widely used breeding strategy to increase genetic diversity, broaden the selection base, and develop new cultivars. By crossing different varieties and making advanced selections, breeders can introduce desirable traits such as improved fruit quality, increased yield, improved disease resistance and greater adaptability to environmental conditions. The present study aimed to evaluate the heritability of some key biometric and biochemical parameters inblueberry hybrids derived from intraspecific crosses to assess their inheritance patterns. The results can guide breeders in selecting parent combinations that maximise genetic gain, ultimately supporting the advancement of commercial blueberry production. The ‘Delicia × 4/6’ hybrid combination showed excellent performance for total polyphenol content, flavonoids, tannins, and ascorbic acid, with high genetic gain and near complete heritability, making it a promising candidate for improving antioxidant activity. The ‘Azur × Northblue’ hybrid had favourable total anthocyanin and tannin content, but an unfavourable sugar and ascorbic acid profile.The ‘Simultan × Duke’ hybrid combination showed the highest genetic gain for total soluble solids and firmness, together with high positive heterosis and heterotic progress, highlighting its potential for high-quality cultivars suitable for mechanical harvesting and storage. This research provides valuable insights into the efficiency of intraspecific hybridisationin the development of new blueberry cultivars with improved agronomic and nutritional qualities.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/6/630breedingcrossesgenetic gainheterosisheterotic progresshighbush blueberry |
| spellingShingle | Oana Hera Monica Sturzeanu Loredana Elena Vijan Intraspecific Hybridization and Heritability of Biometric and Biochemical Traits in F1 Blueberry (<i>Vaccinium corymbosum</i> L.) Hybrids Horticulturae breeding crosses genetic gain heterosis heterotic progress highbush blueberry |
| title | Intraspecific Hybridization and Heritability of Biometric and Biochemical Traits in F1 Blueberry (<i>Vaccinium corymbosum</i> L.) Hybrids |
| title_full | Intraspecific Hybridization and Heritability of Biometric and Biochemical Traits in F1 Blueberry (<i>Vaccinium corymbosum</i> L.) Hybrids |
| title_fullStr | Intraspecific Hybridization and Heritability of Biometric and Biochemical Traits in F1 Blueberry (<i>Vaccinium corymbosum</i> L.) Hybrids |
| title_full_unstemmed | Intraspecific Hybridization and Heritability of Biometric and Biochemical Traits in F1 Blueberry (<i>Vaccinium corymbosum</i> L.) Hybrids |
| title_short | Intraspecific Hybridization and Heritability of Biometric and Biochemical Traits in F1 Blueberry (<i>Vaccinium corymbosum</i> L.) Hybrids |
| title_sort | intraspecific hybridization and heritability of biometric and biochemical traits in f1 blueberry i vaccinium corymbosum i l hybrids |
| topic | breeding crosses genetic gain heterosis heterotic progress highbush blueberry |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/6/630 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT oanahera intraspecifichybridizationandheritabilityofbiometricandbiochemicaltraitsinf1blueberryivacciniumcorymbosumilhybrids AT monicasturzeanu intraspecifichybridizationandheritabilityofbiometricandbiochemicaltraitsinf1blueberryivacciniumcorymbosumilhybrids AT loredanaelenavijan intraspecifichybridizationandheritabilityofbiometricandbiochemicaltraitsinf1blueberryivacciniumcorymbosumilhybrids |