Leveraging genetic resources and genomic prediction to enhance flavonol content in cranberry fruit.

ABSTRACT: American cranberry fruit (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) are rich in flavonols, a subgroup of flavonoids that contribute to human health and plant stress resilience. Despite their importance, the genetic diversity and potential for improvement of flavonols in cranberry remain underexplored. We analyzed phenotypic and genetic variation for eight flavonol compounds in a genetically diverse germplasm collection (n = 247) over 2 years. Myricetin-3-galactoside, quercetin-3-galactoside, quercetin-3-rhamnoside (Q3Rha), and quercetin-3-arabinofuranoside represented 87% of total flavonol content (TFC) in cranberry fruit, with TFC ranging from 0.17 to 0.75 mg/g FW (where FW is fruit weight). Wild and landrace accessions in the Rutgers cranberry collection exhibited higher genetic variation and breedabi

SUBMITTER: Jimenez NP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12332374 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature