The peach volatilome modularity is reflected at the genetic and environmental response levels in a QTL mapping population

Background: The improvement of fruit aroma is currently one of the most sought-after objectives in peach breeding programs. To better characterize and assess the genetic potential for increasing aroma quality by breeding, a quantity trait locus (QTL) analysis approach was carried out in an F-1 population segregating largely for fruit traits. Results: Linkage maps were constructed using the IPSC peach 9 K Infinium (R) II array, rendering dense genetic maps, except in the case of certain chromosomes, probably due to identity-by-descent of those chromosomes in the parental genotypes. The variability in compounds associated with aroma was analyzed by a metabolomic approach based on GC-MS to pro…