The genetic variability, inheritance and inter-relationships of ascorbic acid, β-carotene, phenol and anthocyanin content in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is rich source of dietary antioxidants, minerals and nutrients. Dietary antioxidants have been known as beneficial for enhancing the fitness, preventing certain diseases and even mitigating the effects of ageing. The objectives of the present study were to determine variability and inheritance of antioxidants, to identify antioxidant rich and productive genotypes, and to suggest suitable breeding approaches. The genotypes, namely Ofra, Chandler, Festival and Camarosa showed higher concentrations of dietary antioxidants and therefore could be useful in future breeding. Results indicate that the effect of the genotypes on antioxidant contents is stronger than that of the environment. The high heritability (>80%) and low genetic advance as percentage of mean (<40%) for ascorbic acid and β-carotene contents could be improved by heterosis breeding. However, selection and hybridization would be effective tools to enhance the phenols and anthocyanin content, and yield potential as these traits showed high heritability (>80%) and high genetic advance as percentage of mean (>40%). Positive direct effect on fruit yield was highest for phenol content (0.609) which is also fairly close to its correlation coefficient (0.765) indicating that a direct selection based on phenol content would be most effective and that the phenol content could be used as a reliable biochemical marker to identify the productive genotypes having higher amounts of dietary antioxidants. The information could also be used for developing antioxidant rich cultivars, i.e. ‘Breeding Strawberry for High Antioxidants’.

► The genotypes, namely Ofra, Chandler, Festival and Camarosa, showed higher concentrations of dietary antioxidants.
► The high heritability (>80%) and low genetic advance as percentage of mean (<40%) for ascorbic acid and β−carotene contents could be improved by heterosis breeding.
► Positive direct effect on fruit yield was highest for phenol content (0.609).
► The information could be very useful in genotyping antioxidant rich cultivars, i.e. ‘Breeding Strawberry for High Antioxidants’.