| dc.description.abstract | Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) production and consumption are a continuously growing market with United States (U.S.) fresh market exceeding $1.02 billion. Rabbiteye (V. virgatum; RE) and southern highbush (V. corymbosum; SHB) blueberries are commonly cultivated in the southeastern U.S. Research attention has been disproportionately focused on SHB, with extensive characterization of physiochemical, sensory, and volatile traits during ripening and postharvest storage, whereas comparable data for RE, particularly in postharvest contexts, remain limited. RE fruit generally contain fewer volatile compounds than SHB but tend to have higher soluble solids content (SSC), total anthocyanin concentration, and total phenolic content. In contrast, SHB fruit typically maintain firmness more effectively during storage. These differences highlight the need for a broader evaluation of SHB and RE fruit quality traits. Therefore, this study first evaluated 17 genotypes in 2024 over a 28-day storage period for preliminary screening. Based on these results, six genotypes were selected for the 2025 season for sensory evaluation during 14 days of cold storage (4 °C, ~80% RH).
In the first postharvest experiment, seventeen blueberry genotypes (15 RE, 2 SHB) were evaluated in 2024, and five were subsequently selected (‘Brightwell’, ‘Vernon’, MS1110R, UGA.RE.9 and ‘Legacy’ for further study in 2025 across 0, 14, and 28 days (D) of cold storage (4 °C, ~80% RH). Fruit were harvested May–June in both production years from the E.V. Smith Research Center. Across both years, genotype significantly influenced all traits. SSC ranged from 10.4–15.9 °Brix and 0.34-0.61% titratable acidity (Tacid). In 2024, ‘Brightwell’ and ‘Ochlocknee’ had the highest SSC, while UGA.RE.9 and ‘New Hanover’ were lowest. RE genotypes exhibited greater anthocyanins, phenolics, and antioxidant capacity than SHB. Cluster analysis grouped genotypes by color, phytonutrient content, and reduced composition. In 2025, significant genotype × storage effects were observed for firmness, Tacid, and total anthocyanins, total phenolics and total antioxidant activity. UGA.RE.9 had the highest firmness, while ‘MS1110R’ and ‘Brightwell’ exhibited elevated phytonutrient levels. Multivariate analyses separated ‘Legacy’ from RE genotypes. Overall, RE genotypes exhibited higher SSC and phytonutrient levels, suggesting potential advantages for postharvest quality and sensory related traits
In the second postharvest experiment, six genotypes (‘Brightwell’, ‘Vernon’, MS1110, UGA.RE.9, ‘Legacy’ and ‘Optimus’) were assessed instrumentally for firmness and general composition (SSC, Tacid and SSC:Tacid) and by a trained panel at 0D and 14D of cold storage. Across all genotypes instrumental firmness ranged from 155.39-251.82 g·mm⁻¹ at harvest. SSC declined throughout storage from 12.20 °Brix (0D) to 10.91 °Brix (14D). Tacid ranged from 0.23-0.56% throughout storage with genotype × storage duration interaction. Trained panel evaluation (n = 9) showed significant genotype effect for fruity aroma (3.3-6.1), sweet taste (2.5-4.6) and sour taste (3.1-5.3) on a 15 cm line scale. Panel texture ratings ranged firmness at 2.4-3.3, fibrousness at 4.4-5.0 and seediness at 3.6-7.0. Electronic-nose principal component analysis explained 88.87% of volatile profile variability and separated genotype and storage duration into distinct clusters. Results showed strong genotype dependency over compositional, sensory and volatile profiles and observed shifts throughout storage relevant to breeding and fresh market selection. Together, these results highlight the importance of genotype in shaping fruit quality attributes and demonstrate that integrating instrumental, sensory, and volatile analyses provides a robust framework for postharvest selection and breeding. | en_US |
