S16 - Session P2 - Breeding in European pear (Pyrus communis) for red-skinned and red-fleshed fruit - the red-skinned gene C affects tree habit and flowering time

Authors: Yves Lespinasse *, Philippe Guérif, Arnaud Guyader

The pear breeding programme at INRAE Angers-Beaucouze is partly devoted to screen for red-skinned fruit from mutants derived from European pear varieties. These mutants were selected around 1950 in the USA from 'Doyenne du Comice', 'Bartlett' and 'Beurre Hardy'. Several combinations involving these red mutants and also varieties such as 'Lombacad' and 'Red Satin' were studied for the inheritance of red leaves in the greenhouse and red-skinned fruit in the field. A single dominant gene (already named C/c) codes for red leaves and fruit skin in these different progenies. In the present study, the focus was put on vigour, tree habit and flowering time of field planted progenies; the traits were determined and compared within the segregants (C/C, C/c, c/c). The deep-red seedlings (C/C) have a compact habit with some weak feathers and their flowering in the field is late compared to the other segregants (C/c and c/c). Our results highlight a pleiotropic effect of gene C on tree habit and flowering time. Other progenies from the red-fleshed variety 'Sanguine d'Italie' were evaluated for this character. A single dominant gene (called F/f), independent from C/c, was found that codes for this character. In the greenhouse the red colour of the hypocotyls is a very accurate marker for the red-fleshed fruit hybrids screened in the field. An improved knowledge of the genetic basis of production and accumulation of red pigments in the fruit flesh will better support the pear breeding programmes aimed to select new pear varieties carrying this attractive trait.