Phenotyping and genotyping of Rubus germplasm for the improvement of quality traits in the raspberry breeding program

A phenotypic-genotypic characterization of more than 250 Rubus accessions was achieved in Northern Italy (Trentino) over multiple years, both for varietal comparison and for the improvement of the breeding programme. The key traits investigated were related to morphological, flowering and horticultural aspects. Tolerance to the main pests and diseases, such as two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) and Resseliella theobaldi (Raspberry Cane Midge – RCM), and diversity profiles were also assessed. Genetic diversity among the accessions evaluated was confirmed by a significant variability for several components involved in fruit quality, post-harvest performance, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Phenotyping of raspberry allowed us also to select interesting primocane advanced selections, and to define parental lines of great importance to the FEM breeding program, both for fresh and processing markets use. Genotyping was subsequently integrated with phenotypic information through the use of Single Nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) markers for highthroughput screening for a dual benefit: in order to drive more efficiently the targeted traits and to guarantee cultivar protectio