The study reported here was directed at the identification of the sources of the FaOMT gene controlling mesifuran biosynthesis in the garden strawberries to achieve the desirable breeding goals. The object of the study was 34 Fragaria × ananassa Duch. accessions from the genetic collection of the Udmurt Federal Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences of varying ecological and geographical origin. Among them, 22 genotypes were of domestic origin and 16 of the foreign origin. Molecular screening of the FaOMT locus was performed using the diagnostic codominant FaOMT-SI/NO DNA marker, which allows identifying different allelic states of the gene. The FaOMT+ functional allele was identified in 88.2 % of accessions. The non-functional (inactive) FaOMT– allele was detected in 47.1% of accessions. Both alleles were present in 35.3% of accessions (FaOMT+FaOMT– genotype). The active allelic form of the gene was present in the homozygous state in 52.9% of the samples (FaOMT+FaOMT+). In the studied collection, 18 accessions (Akvarel’, Viola, Gordost’ Urala, Darenka, Duet, Italmas, Lyubasha, Pervoklastitsa, Sudarushka, Festival’naya, Tsaritsa, Yaroslavna, Cabrillo, Cisojee, Corona, Murano, Salsa, and Sonsation) characterized by the presence of two active alleles are most promising for inclusion in the breeding process for fruit aroma, as they will ensure that the target trait is passed to the hybrid progeny. Four accessions were homozygous for the non-functional allele (FaOMT–FaOMT–) or 11.8 % of the collection: Krasnaya pchelka, Nastya, Black Prince, and Malling Pandora. Including them in breeding programs for aroma is impractical. The results of the study make it possible to take advantage of the selected genotypes in the breeding programs aimed to improve the aromatic characteristics of garden strawberry varieties.
Khudyakova et al. (2025) studied this question.