Variation in Phytochemical Composition and Fruit Traits of Blueberry Cultivars and Advanced Breeding Selections in New Zealand

The variation in phytochemical composition and fruit traits was studied in twelve blueberry cultivars, three newly released HortResearch cultivars ('Hortblue Petite', 'Hortblue Poppins' and 'Centra Blue') and nineteen advanced selections from the HortResearch blueberry breeding programme of northern highbush (NHB), southern highbush (SHB) and rabbiteye (RE) planted in observation plots at the Ruakura Research Centre, New Zealand. Fruit were harvested on three occasions over each of two growing seasons (2005-2006 and 2006-2007). Fruit phytochemical composition (the total antioxidant activity and anthocyanin) was analysed and compared with fruiting traits of size, firmness, and diameters (fruit and scar). Variation was found among genotypes. NHB advanced selections showed improved fruit traits compared to commercial cultivars but reduced phytochemical composition. Phytochemical composition of SHB selections was also decreased relative to those in commercial cultivars, but there was a 10% increase in fruit weight. RE selections had improved phytochemical composition compared with standard RE cultivars without loosing quality in the fruit traits.