Estimating breeding value of pomological traits in grape cultivars based on REMAP molecular markers

One of the most important goals of grapes breeding is to obtain seedless grapes with large berries and good taste. In order to achieve table and raisin grape varieties with good quality, desirable taste and larger berries with various colors, it is necessary to estimate the breeding value of the desired traits. In this study breeding values of fourteen in 45 grape cultivars were predicted using the best linear prediction (BLUP) prediction. The purpose of this study is to estimate the breeding value of the grape cultivars and to identify the superior cultivars. The results of this study can be of great help to breeders in selecting cultivars with favorable market traits and cultivars with better yield.

In this study, 45 grape cultivars in the collection of Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of West Azerbaijan Province were used. From each of the cultivars in the first year of research ten 14-year-old plants were selected and TSS, pH, TA, berry weight, flesh weight, single seed weight, seed number, juice volume, pollen germination, cluster length, cluster width, cluster weight, fruit set in open and under controlled pollination were investigated. The characteristics were measured for three consecutive years.

Based on the results, considering the sum of the breeding values of all the studied traits, Agh Shani, Taifi, Qzl Ouzum, Lal Qermez, Tabarze Qermez, Garmian, Rishbaba Qermez and Qara Shani cultivars had the highest rank. Among the studied seedless cultivars, Rejin cultivar in terms of single seed weight and Keshmeshi Sefid cultivar in terms of seed number had the highest breeding value. Among the seeded cultivars, Shirazi cultivar in terms of single seed weight and Qara Shani cultivar in terms of seed number had the highest breeding value. Garmian, Rishbaba Qermez, Keshmeshi Qermez, Tabarze Qermez, Agh Shani and shirazi had positive breeding value for pollen germination, fruit set in open pollination and fruit set under controlled pollination.

Sarghola, Gazandaii and Qzl Ouzum cultivars had the high and positive breeding value for berry weight and fresh weight and they can be used as good parents for breeding of these traits in hybridization programs because they can better transfer their characteristics to the progeny. Lal Qermez, Rishbaba Qermez and Tabarze Qermez cultivars had high and positive breeding value for cluster weight, cluster width and cluster weight so they can be introduced as a suitable parent for breeding of these traits in breeding programs.