Combining High-throughput Phenotyping and Multivariate Analysis to Assess Fruit Quality Traits in Southern Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum Interspecific Hybrids) Germplasm Collection

Breeding blueberry cultivars with enhanced fruit quality requires simple, accurate, and cost-effective assays to select individuals from segregating populations. In this study, berry diameter, weight, firmness, pH, total polyphenol, acids, D-glucose, D-fructose, glucose, sugar content were quantified in 188 southern highbush selections over 2 years. Significant variation between years, genotype, year × genotype interaction was detected for all traits. Glucose fructose the predominant sugars, they a range of 32.14–64.72 28.61–69.63 mg/mL, respectively. Total sugars ranged 62.22 131.15 mg/mL. Correlation analysis showed strong positive correlation measured discrete analyzer soluble solids assessed as Brix ( r = 0.96). addition, fructose, glucose high them content. The titratable acidity positively correlated acids 0.60) diameter weight 0.94) detected. Principal component (PCA) that PC1 explained 44.9% major contributing traits diversity sugars. PC2 accounted 21.2% mainly attributed diameter. Cluster genotypes fell into two groups. Cluster-I comprised highest amounts sugar, whereas Cluster-II has distinctly lower tested compounds larger berries. Information obtained study is critical identify superior future crosses advance evaluation. firmness tester used invaluable improving efficiency precision phenotyping.