Detection of the linalool-producing NES1 variant across diverse strawberry (Fragaria spp.) accessions

With 4 figures and 3 tables Abstract Many volatile compounds have been shown to influence the flavour of strawberry (Fragaria spp.) fruit. A published study demonstrated that linalool, a critical flavour compound, is produced in cultivated F. X ananassa varieties owing to a truncated form of the NEROLIDOL SYNTHASE (NES) enzyme. The corresponding allele (FaNES1) features a 5'-deletion that is detectable by PCR. Herein, we tested a broad set of strawberry genotypes to understand the origin of the allele and to identify materials that may be preferred candidates for molecular breeding. The results indicate that the FaNES1 allele (linalool+) is not present in any diploid, tetraploid or hexaploid accession tested. It is present in 112 F. X ananassa cultivars examined. The FaNES1 allele is present in all but three of 46 wild F.similar to virginiana and F.similar to chiloensis genotypes. Two of these three lines continue to produce linalool despite the absence of the allele. This survey suggests that the FaNES1 allele possibly arose following octoploidization and that linalool possibly is an important factor in strawberry biology, aside from its role in anthrocentric fruit quality attributes.