GENETIC CONTROL AND LOCATION OF QTLS INVOLVED IN ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY AND FRUIT QUALITY TRAITS IN PEACH [PRUNUS PERSICA (L.) BATSCH]

In peach fruits, phenolic compounds serve as a major source of potential antioxidants which are known to play a significant role in fruit quality and in human well being. This study was conducted in a F1 population derived from the cross ‘Venus’ × ‘Big Top’ nectarines in order to investigate the variability in the fruit antioxidant content and to study the genetic control and location of QTLs involved in fruit quality traits. Biochemical analyses have been performed to measure L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), total phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins contents and antioxidant capacity.