RESULTS OF DNA SCREENING OF THE STRAWBERRY COLLECTION FROM THE SVERDLOVSK BREEDING STATION OF HORTICULTURE FOR THE PRESENCE OF FaOMT, FaFAD1 GENES

The objective of the study is to conduct a molecular genetic screening of garden strawberry samples for the presence of target functional alleles of genes involved in the formation of the strawberry fruit aroma complex (the FaOMT gene, which controls mesifuran production and is responsible for the fruity-caramel aroma, and the FaFAD1 gene, which is associated with the synthesis of γ-decalactone). The study was conducted using the scientific collection of living plants at the Sverdlovsk Horticultural Breeding Station in 2024–2025. The objects of the study were 40 varieties and 60 hybrids created by intervarietal hybridization within the Fragaria × ananassa species. Genotype diversity for the studied genes was assessed using PCR and electrophoretic separation of amplification products in agarose gel. To identify valuable genotypes – sources of the monogenic trait of the presence of mesifuran in fruits, the codominant molecular marker FaOMT-SI/NO was used, and to identify donors of the monogenic trait of the presence of γ-decalactone in fruits, the marker FaFAD1 was used. The Polka and Festivalnaya varieties served as positive controls for the FaOMT gene, while Aprica and Pandora served as negative controls. Salsa served as a positive control for the FaFAD1 gene, while Karmen and Polka served as negative controls. The study revealed the homozygous functional FaOMT allele in the following varieties: Akvarel, Darenka, Desna, Duet, Geyser, Italmas, Yaroslavna, Asia, Cardinal, Elsanta, Honeoye, Salsa, Sonsation, and Totem, as well as in 28 selected hybrids. Heterozygous combinations of FaOMT alleles were detected in 45 cultivars. Varieties lacking the functional FaOMT allele were also identified: Assol, Alfa, Darunok Vchitelyu, Aprica, Dukat, and Pandora. The functional state of the FaFAD1 gene allele was identified in 14 cultivar samples, including the following varieties: Aquarelle, Borovitskaya, Darenka, Darunok vchitelyu, Olvia, Cardinal, Elsanta, Florence, Florida 90, Isaura, Salsa, Pandora.