Post-harvest associations between the soluble solids content and the main dependant components related to the biometry of strawberry cv. Selva

This study investigated the direct and indirect associations between soluble solids content and key biometric traits in strawberry pseudofruits (cv. Selva) using path analysis, aiming to optimize breeding strategies for improved fruit quality. The cultivar was grown in a dystrophic Red Latosol under a tropical Aw climate (dry winter, rainy summer), with an average annual rainfall of 1,340 mm and a temperature of 26°C. A total of 110 intact fruits were harvested (one per plant), stored at 10°C for 20 days, and evaluated for length, width, thickness, fresh mass, maturity (% skin coverage), and soluble solids content (°Brix). Descriptive statistics revealed significant variability: fresh mass ranged from 4.70 to 27.40 g, length from 25.86 to 60.88 mm, and soluble solids content from 3.50 to 13.69%. Path analysis identified length as the strongest positive predictor of soluble solids content (direct effect = 0.88), followed by width, maturity, and malformation, while fresh mass exhibited a notable negative effect (-0.75), likely due to solute dilution in larger fruits. Indirect effects highlighted trade-offs; for example, fresh mass and postharvest integrity negatively influenced length but positively impacted maturity. The model explained 18.46% of the variation in BRIX (residual effect = 0.80), underscoring the complexity of these interactions. These findings emphasize the potential of morphometric traits as indirect selection criteria for enhancing sweetness in breeding programs. The study advances the integration of path analysis into strawberry improvement, offering a cost-effective tool to reconcile yield and sensory quality in tropical climates.