Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2019, Horticulture and Crop Science

U.S. black raspberry (BR) production is currently limited by narrowly adapted, elite germplasm. Improved understanding of genetic control and stability of pomological traits will inform the development of improved BR germplasm and cultivars. To this end, analysis of a multiple-environment trial of two BR mapping populations derived from crosses of commercial cultivars with wild accessions has provided insights into genetic variation, genotype-by-environment interactions (GEI), quantitative trait loci (QTL), and QTL-by-environment interactions (QEI) of fruit quality traits among diverse field environments. Genetic components and stability of four fruit size traits and six fruit biochemistry were characterized in two mapping populations following their evaluation over three years at four distinct locations representative of current U.S. BR production. GEI of pomological traits were described using two methods: mixed model analysis and Bayesian Finlay-Wilkinson regression. Both methods revealed relatively stable genetic control of the four fruit size traits across the tested production environments and less stable genetic control of the six fruit biochemistry traits. Further, Finlay-Wilkinson regression revealed individuals contributing to GEI for each trait. Ten QTL associated with three fruit morphology traits and five QTL associated with two fruit biochemistry traits were identified. Of the fifteen total QTL, eleven exhibited significant QEI. Closely overlapping QTL revealed linkage of several fruit size traits: fruit mass, drupelet count, and seed fraction. Further, alignment of linked markers to the BR genome revealed genomic regions associated with these traits. These and related findings are expected to guide further genetic characterization of BR fruit quality, management of breeding germplasm, and development of improved BR cultivars for U.S. production.

Committee: Jonathan Fresnedo Ramirez (Advisor); Leah McHale (Committee Member); Joseph Scheerens (Committee Member) Subjects: Genetics; Horticulture

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, 2012, Chemistry

1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) based metabolomics on black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis L.) fruits and complex mixture analysis by multidimensional NMR and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) on a variety of berry fruits are focused to profile bioactive compounds that are effective in preventing the proliferation of cancer cells, notably with respect to colon and oral cancers. Seeking to better understand health benefits from berry fruits, a NMR-based metabolomics model was initially developed to discern the relationships between constituents of black raspberries with respect to total monomeric-anthocyanin content (TMA), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) using partial least square (PLS) regression analysis. The model allowed ascertaining active components and to analyze their contribution with regard to assay type and sample variation. Results showed that anthocyanins, cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside, cyanidin 3-O-(2(G))-xylosylrutinoside and cyanidin 3-O-glucoside were significant contributors to the variability in assay results. Many other statistically important bins from minor components were common among assay models indicating further investigation using more rigorous model systems. HT-29 colon cancer cell line proliferation assay based metabolomics model was also developed to aid in and elaborate the initial model for discerning biological activities of minor nonanthocyanin components of black raspberries. In agreement with the initial model, cyanidin glycosides, particularly cyanidin 3-rutinoside and cyanidin 3-xylosylrutionoside, were shown to be the predominant components contributing to the bioactivity of black raspberries. In addition, this model allowed ascertaining biological activities of minor nonanthocyanin components. Among the nonanthocyanin components, citrate type moiety, salicylic acid glucosyl ester, m/p-hydroxybenzoic acid glucosyl ester, benzoic acid glucosyl ester, p-alkylphenyl gl (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Peter L. Rinaldi Dr. (Advisor); Faith J. Wyzgoski Dr. (Committee Member); Chrys Wesdemiotis Dr. (Committee Member); James K. Hardy Dr. (Committee Member); Matthew P. Espe Dr. (Committee Member); David A. Modarelli Dr. (Committee Member); Toshikazu Miyoshi Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Biostatistics; Chemistry; Food Science; Health