Genetic parameters for fruit mineral content in an interspecific pear (Pyrus spp.) population

Abstract

There is a lack of data and information on mineral content in pear fruit and none on the genetic parameters related to these individual elements. The aim of this research was to report mineral composition of pear fruit and to determine the quantitative genetic parameters of mineral content in fruit from interspecific pear populations. There was a high genetic component involved in the accumulation of boron and aluminium in the fruit, with heritabilities of as much as 0.72. Iron had a positive genetic correlation with accumulation of zinc (0.72) and sulphur (0.71), while chromium had a negative correlation with nickel (−0.77), phosphorus (−0.70) and magnesium (−0.4) accumulation. Parents of the same origin (Asian or European) had similar estimated breeding values for total mineral content. Macro element mineral content of fruit was: 4% calcium, 13% phosphorus, 76% potassium, 5% magnesium and 2% sulphur and for micro element mineral content 39% boron, 12% iron, 8% zinc, 4% manganese, 7% copper, 0.4% chromium, 9% nickel and 21% aluminium.