Breeding potential of underutilized Fragaria species

The introgression of wild strawberry species into cultivars helps to avoid or counteract negative domestication effects. Fragaria chiloensis and F. virginiana, the parental species of the cultivated strawberry F. ×ananassa, are first choice for genetic resources due to their direct crossability on the octoploid level. Valuable traits, however, are also found in species with other ploidy levels (2n=2x, 4x, 6x, and 10x) which create cross-breeding barriers. Thus, clear taxonomical descriptions of species and the knowledge of ploidy levels are essential. In our own breeding work, we have considered the entire genus Fragaria. First results of mutation breeding and introgression experiments with several strawberry species are reported here. In this germplasm program we dealt intensively with the analysis of volatile organic compounds as well as disease and frost resistance assessments to prove the breeding potential of wild species. The later use of valuable wild species accessions in the breeding of cultivated strawberries is the objective.