Peach Flavor

Author:

Dr. Amy Iezzoni, Michigan State University

An individual’s genome is the full complement of genetic information inherited from its parents. Within this vast repertoire of genetic information, individual genes are being discovered that control critical production and fruit quality traits. As valuable rosaceous gene discoveries are made and put into breeding applications, RosBREED describes them as “Jewels in the Genome” (Iezzoni, 2010).

Introduction

The peach flavor region of chromosome 4 is chosen as one of RosBREED’s “Jewels in the Genome.” Knowledge of the chromosome-4 flavor locus will allow breeders to predict taste attributes, making the selection of desirable eating quality peaches more efficient.

Peach flavor is influenced by a delicate balance of sugar, acid content, and aromatic volatiles. Developing flavorful peaches is a high priority for breeding programs (Fig. 1). However, obtaining the optimum combination of these desirable taste attributes is challenging, as their genetic control is complex. Several studies, in different populations and over multiple years, identify a region on peach chromosome-4 containing genetic variation for sugar (Fig. 2) and acid levels in peach breeding germplasm. This region of peach chromosome-4 has been associated with the levels of three sugars (fructose, glucose and sorbitol) and three acids (malic, citric and quinic) (Quilot et al. 2004; Dirlewanger et al. 2006). Understanding this region allows breeders to predict peach taste attributes.

Eating a flavorful peach

Figure 1. South Carolina grower, Sam Hall enjoying a flavorful peach. Photo credit: Ksenija Gasic, Clemson State University.

Holding a cut in half peach

Brix meter registering 23.6%

Figure 2. Dr. William Okie (peach breeder) sampling a peach for percent sugar. This peach measured very high! Photo credits: Ksenija Gasic, Clemson State University.

References Cited

Dirlewanger E., Cosson P., Renaud C., and R. Monet. 2006. New detection of QTLs controlling major fruit quality components in peach. Acta Horticulturae: 713: 65-72.
Iezzoni, A. 2010. Jewels in the Genome. RosBREED Newsletter 1(1): 9. (http://rosbreed.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2010-02_RosBREED.Newsletter.pdf) (verified 12 Dec 2012).
Quilot B., Wu B.H., Kervella J., Genard M., Foulongne M., and K. Moreau. 2004. QTL analysis of quality traits in an advanced backcross between Prunus persica cultivars and the wild relative species P. davidiana. Theoretical and Applied Genetics: 109: 884-897.

Funding statement

Development of this page was supported in part by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Project title: RosBREED: Enabling marker-assisted breeding in Rosaceae is provided by the Specialty Crops Research Initiative Competitive Grant 2009-51181-05808. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s)and do not necessarily reflect the view of the United States Department of Agriculture.

PBGworks 1436