The identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) and marker-assisted selection have aroused great interest in breeding programs aiming at fruit quality. The objective of this study was to detect QTL related to the quality of the cashew apple. The physicochemical characteristics oligomeric phenolics, total soluble solids, total titrable acidity and vitamin C contents were analyzed in the mapped cashew population. QTL were detected by QTL interval and multiple QTL mapping. The results showed high phenotypic variation in the segregating F1 generation for all traits. Eighteen QTL associated with cashew quality were identified: three for oligomeric phenolics, five for total soluble solids, six for total acidity and four for vitamin C. QTL are promising for marker-assisted selection since they have the greatest phenotypic effects and contribution to phenotypic variation.
Anacardium occidentale; breeding; cashew apple quality; molecular markers
