中国石榴品种资源经济性状研究

本文测定了34个中国石榴主栽品种的单果重、可溶性固形物含量、糖酸比等9个经济性状,根据测定结果对各品种果实品质进行了模糊综合评判.结果表明,皖榴3号、皖榴2号、皖榴1号、大笨子等品种品质最佳;提出了评判结果等级划分的方法;各品种经济性状的相关与回归分析结果显示,果实百粒重与出汁率,可溶性固形物含量、可溶性糖含量与糖酸比,出汁率与糖酸比,糖酸比与可溶性糖含量均呈极显著正相关(α=0.01,F＞F0.01);出汁率与果皮光洁度呈极显著负相关(a=0.01,F＞0.01);主成分分析结果表明,前5个主成分累积方差贡献率达到87.67%,基本概括了全部9个性状的主要信息.     

玉米5个农艺性状的QTL定位

利用“豫玉22”构建的266个玉米F2：3家系为材料,通过一年两点的随机区组田间试验和分子标记分析,研究了玉米穗位高、雄穗分支数、茎粗、抽雄期、吐丝期5个重要农艺性状。相关分析表明,穗位高、雄穗分支数、茎粗与单株产量显著正相关,抽雄期与吐丝期高度正相关,雄穗分支数与茎粗显著正相关。采用复合区间作图法,通过500次排列测验分别确定各性状的LOD阈值,在武汉和襄樊两地共定位了7个穗位高QTL、9个雄穗分支数QTL、8个茎粗QTL、9个抽雄期QTL和7个吐丝期QTL;这些QTL在染色体上分布不均匀,具有集中分布的特点。研究表明,数量性状间的表型相关可能源于控制数量性状的QTL位点间的相关。     

不同荷花品种出泥部分与根状茎生长性状和部分生理指标的比较及相关性分析

在盆栽条件下,对不同荷花(Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.)品种〔藕莲品种'大紫红'('Dazihong')、花莲品种'中国红·上海'('Zhongguohongshanghai')和花藕兼用莲品种'逸仙莲'('Yixianlian')〕出泥部分(叶和花)和泥下部分(根状茎)的生长性状和部分生理指标进行了比较研究,并对3个荷花品种出泥部分与根状茎间的生长性状和部分生理指标进行了相关性分析.结果表明:'大紫红'在整个生长发育期不开花;'中国红·上海'开花时间相对较早(6月上旬),花重瓣且色泽鲜艳;'逸仙莲'开花时间相对较晚(7月上中旬),花单瓣呈白色.3个荷花品种中,'大紫红'立叶数最少,立叶面积最大,根状茎膨大明显,根状茎中可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白质含量最高;'中国红·上海'立叶数最多,立叶中叶绿素含量最高,根状茎节间长度最长,但根状茎膨大不明显;'逸仙莲'立叶数居中,叶柄最长,根状茎膨大明显,根状茎中可溶性蛋白质、可溶性糖、淀粉和维生素C含量介于其他2个荷花品种之间.相关性分析结果表明:荷花立叶面积与根状茎节间长度呈显著负相关,而与根状茎中可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质及维生素C含量呈极显著或显著正相关;叶柄长度与根状茎直径和根状茎节间质量呈显著正相关;立叶中叶绿素含量与根状茎节间长度和根状茎中淀粉含量呈显著正相关,而与根状茎中可溶性糖含量呈显著负相关.研究结果显示:根据供试3个荷花品种的立叶面积、叶柄长度、立叶中叶绿素含量可间接判断根状茎的生长发育及营养品质状况,并可进一步应用于快速选育花藕兼用莲品种.     

‘蜂蜜罐’枣实生后代果实性状变异分析与评价

以优良鲜食枣品种‘蜂蜜罐’的131个实生后代为试材,对其果实描述型性状和数值型性状进行了观测。结果表明:变异系数最大的3个性状为裂果率、单株产量和可滴定酸含量;变异系数最小的3个性状为含水量、可食率和果实硬度。实生后代中,小于50%的后代在果实颜色、果皮厚度、果肉颜色、果肉汁液量和果实风味与母本表现相同或相似。对果实硬度、可溶性固形物含量、可滴定酸含量等8个性状进行了相关性分析,发现可滴定酸含量与含水量呈极显著正相关,与可溶性糖含量呈极显著负相关;维生素C含量与可溶性固形物含量呈极显著负相关。运用灰色关联分析和分值累计法筛选出综合性状优良的种质3个,另外筛选出富含可溶性总糖的种质2个、富含可滴定酸的种质5个及富含维生素C的种质5个。     

西双版纳野生杨桃果实性状研究初报

在云南西双版纳选择单株分布密集的野生杨桃群体,随机采集、调查分析21个单株的果实大小等15个性状,结果表明,野生杨桃果实不同性状变异大小不同,其顺序为:可溶性单宁、果重>糖酸比、淀粉、维生素C、脂肪>可滴定酸、总糖、纤维素、种子重>果横径、果纵径、果形指数、可食率、含水量。果实横径和纵径呈极显著正相关,维生素C含量和有机酸含量呈极显著负相关,相关系数r分别为+0.7664^**,-0.5885^**(n=21,r_0.01=0.537),其它性状之间相关不显著。     

果蔗叶片生理生化指标与品质性状的典范相关分析

选用果蔗（Saccharum officinarum L．）14个品种,用典范相关分析法研究不同生育期叶片生理生化指标对果蔗品质性状的影响。结果表明：分蘖期类胡萝卜素含量与蔗茎蔗糖含量,可溶性总糖含量与蔗茎含水率,可溶性总糖含量与蔗汁还原糖含量均呈正相关;伸长初期叶绿素含量、CAT活性与蔗茎蔗糖含量,可溶性蛋白质含量与蔗茎纤维含量均呈正相关;伸长盛期Mg^2＋ -ATP酶活性与蔗茎纤维含量,可溶性总糖含量与蔗茎蔗糖含量呈正相关,C／N与蔗茎含水率呈负相关;成熟期类胡萝卜素含量与蔗茎蔗糖含量呈正相关,可溶性总糖含量与蔗汁还原糖含量呈负相关。     

中国对虾抗WSSV及其它经济性状的QTL定位初步研究

以中国对虾抗WSSV选育群体第四代雌虾和野生中国对虾雄虾为亲本,采用人工精荚移植方式产生F1代家系,家系内个体姊妹交获得R家系材料,42尾R家系个体采用口饲法进行WSSV（White Spot Syndrome Virus）攻毒实验,获得个体抗WSSV及其它相关数据。构建了中国对虾的AFLP（Amphfied Fragment Length Polymorphism）分子标记遗传连锁图谱。利用MAPMAKER／QTL1．1软件进行了中国对虾体长、全长、体重及抗WSSV性状的QTL（Quantitative TraitsLoci）定位分析,首次实现了中国对虾重要经济性状的QTL定位。在LOD值大于2．0的条件下,共检测到和体长相关的QTL位点1个,与全长相关的QTL位点2个,与体重相关的QTL位点2个,与抗WSSV性状相关的位点2个,分别位于3个连锁群上,位点变异解释率从26．6％-66．9％不等。在其中的1个连锁群上检测到了体重、全长和抗WSSV性状相关的三个QTL位点,1个连锁群上检测到了体重和抗WSSV性状相关的两个QTL位点,1个连锁群上检测到了全长和体长相关的两个QTL位点。表明在中国对虾在此生长阶段,抗WSSV性状和个体大小存在一定程度的正相关关系[动物学报54（6）：1075-1081,2008]。     

绿豆5个产量相关性状的QTL分析

利用绿豆(Vigna radiata)品种苏绿16-10和潍绿11杂交构建的F₂和F₃群体发掘调控绿豆产量相关性状的遗传位点。同时对绿豆产量相关性状进行表型鉴定和相关性分析, 并利用构建的遗传连锁图谱进行QTL定位。结果表明, 单株产量与单株荚数、单荚粒数、百粒重和分枝数均呈正相关。单株产量与单株荚数的相关性最高, 这2个性状在F₂和F₃群体中的相关系数分别为0.950和0.914。在F₂群体中, 共检测到8个与产量性状相关的QTL位点, 其中与单株荚数、单荚粒数和单株产量相关的QTL位点各1个, 分别解释11.09% (qNPP3)、17.93% (qNSP3)和14.18% (qYP3)的表型变异; 2个与分枝数相关的QTL位点qBMS3和qBMS11, 分别解释18.51%和7.06%的表型变异; 3个与百粒重相关的QTL位点qHSW3、qHSW7和qHSW10, 分别解释5.33%、46.07%和4.24%的表型变异。在F₃群体中, qNSP3和qHSW7再次被检测到, 表明这2个QTLs有较好的遗传稳定性。同时, 开发了1个与百粒重主效QTL qHSW7紧密连锁的InDel标记R7-13.4, 并利用自然群体对该分子标记辅助筛选的有效性进行了验证。研究结果可为绿豆产量相关性状基因的定位、克隆及分子标记辅助育种提供参考。     

杧果种质资源果实主要数量性状评价指标

以77～80份杧果品种(种质)资源为试材,对各品种果实的单果重、外果皮厚度、果核重、可食率、可溶性固形物含量、可溶性总糖含量、可滴定酸舍量和维生素C含量等8项数量性状指标进行测定.结果表明,除了可食率外,其余7个数量性状均存在10%以上的变异系数,外果皮厚度、可食率、可溶性固形物含量和可溶性总糖含量呈正态分布,其余呈偏态分布.根据分析结果,提出了性状分级标准为1～5个等级,每个等级提出2个参照品种:1个国外品种、1个国内品种.该研究为我国杧果种质资源描述系统数量化、规范化的建立或完善奠定了基础.     

利用Solanum pennellii LA0716渐渗系群体初步定位番茄果实硬度QTL

硬度是番茄仅次于风味的品质决定因子。利用来自番茄野生资源S.pennellii LA0716的渐渗系(IL,introgression line)群体,采用穿刺法测定完全红熟期番茄的果实硬度。结果表明,番茄果实果肩、中部和果蒂3个部位的硬度极显著正相关。根据渐渗系遗传图谱,对影响果实硬度的位点进行了初步定位,共检测到5个可明显提高番茄果实硬度的QTL(q F-p-1、q F-p-2、q F-p-3、q F-p-4与q F-p-11),分别位于第1、2、3、4和11号染色体上,其中q F-p-4贡献率最大;2个可显著降低果实硬度的QTL(q S-p-4和q S-p-10),分别位于第4和10号染色体上,其中q S-p-10效应最大。通过比较分析发现,本研究定位的多数QTL与前人在番茄野生种定位的影响硬度的QTL同位,说明番茄硬度在遗传和进化上可能具有一定的保守性。研究结果为番茄硬度QTL的精细定位、克隆及遗传改良奠定了一定基础。     

Mapping of QTLs for lycopene and other fruit traits in a Lycopersicon esculentum × L. pimpinellifolium cross and comparison of QTLs across tomato species

Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for several fruit traits in tomato were mapped and characterized in a backcross population of an interspecific cross between Lycopersicon esculentum fresh-marker breeding line NC84173 and L. pimpinellifolium accession LA722. A molecular linkage map of this cross that was previously constructed based on 119 BC1 individuals and 151 RFLP markers was used for the QTL mapping. The parental lines and 119 BC1S1 families (self-pollinated progeny of BC1 individuals) were grown under field conditions at two locations, Rock Spring, PA, and Davis, CA, and fruits were scored for weight (FW), polar (PD) and equatorial diameters (ED), shape (FS), total soluble solids content (SSC), pH and lycopene content (LYC). For each trait, between 4 and 10 QTLs were identified with individual effects ranging between 4.4% and 32.9% and multilocus QTL effects ranging between 39% and 75% of the total phenotypic variation. Most QTL effects were predictable from the parental phenotypes, and several QTLs were identified that affected more than one trait. A few pairwise epistatic interactions were detected between QTL-linked and QTL-unlinked markers. Despite great differences between PA and CA growing conditions, the majority of FW QTLs (78%) and SSC QTLs (75%) in the two locations shared similar genomic positions. Almost all of the QTLs that were identified in the present study for FW and SSC were previously identified in six other studies that used different interspecific crosses of tomato; this indicates conservation of QTLs for fruit traits across tomato species. Altogether, the seven studies identified at least 28 QTLs for FW and 32 QTLs for SSC on the 12 tomato chromosomes. However, for each trait a few major QTLs were commonly identified in 4 or more studies; such ‘popular’ QTLs should be of considerable interest for breeding purposes as well as basic research towards cloning of QTLs. Notably, a majority of QTLs for increased SSC also contributed to decreased fruit size. Therefore, to significantly increase SSC of the cultivated tomato, some compromise in fruit size may be unavoidable. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci involved in fruit quality traits in melon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumis melo</Emphasis> L.)

Two populations [an F₂ and a set of 77 double haploid lines (DHLs)] developed from a cross between a Piel de Sapo cultivar (PS) and the exotic Korean accession PI 161375 were used to detect QTLs involved in melon fruit quality traits: earliness (EA), fruit shape (FS), fruit weight (FW) and sugar content (SSC); and loci involved in the colour traits: external colour (ECOL) and flesh colour (FC). High variation was found, showing transgressive segregations for all traits. The highest correlation among experiments was observed for FS and the lowest for FW and SSC. Correlations among traits within experiments were, in general, not significant. QTL analysis, performed by Composite Interval Mapping, allowed the detection of nine QTLs for EA, eight for FS, six for FW and five for SSC. Major QTLs (R ²>25%) were detected for all traits. QTLs for different traits were no clearly co-localised, suggesting low pleiotropic effects at QTLs. Sixty-one per cent of them were detected in two or more experiments. QTLs for FS were detected in more trials than QTLs for FW and SSC, confirming that FS is under highly hereditable polygenic control. ECOL segregated as yellow:green in both experimental populations. The genetic control of ECOL was found to be complex, probably involving more than two loci with epistatic interactions. One of these loci was mapped on linkage group 9, but the other loci could not be clearly resolved. FC segregated as white:green:orange. The locus responsible for the green FC was mapped on linkage group 1, and it was proposed to correspond to the previously described locus gf. The genetic control of orange FC was complex: two loci in linkage groups 2 and 12 were associated with orange flesh, but larger population sizes would be necessary to elucidate completely the genetic control of orange flesh in this cross. Exotic alleles from PI161375 showed beneficial effects on EA, FW and SSC, indicating the usefulness of PI 161375 as a new source of genetic variability to improve European and American cultivars.Communicated by H.F. Linskens     

A genetic map of candidate genes and QTLs involved in tomato fruit size and composition

In order to screen for putative candidate genes linked to tomato fruit weight and to sugar or acid content, genes and QTLs involved in fruit size and composition were mapped. Genes were selected among EST clones in the TIGR tomato EST database (http://www.tigr.org/tdb/tgi/lgi/) or corresponded to genes preferentially expressed in the early stages of fruit development. These clones were located on the tomato map using a population of introgression lines (ILs) having one segment of Lycopersicon pennellii (LA716) in a L. esculentum (M82) background. The 75 ILs allowed the genome to be segmented into 107 bins. Sixty-three genes involved in carbon metabolism revealed 79 loci. They represented enzymes involved in the Calvin cycle, glycolysis, the TCA cycle, sugar and starch metabolism, transport, and a few other functions. In addition, seven cell-cycle-specific genes mapped into nine loci. Fourteen genes, primarily expressed during the cell division stage, and 23 genes primarily expressed during the cell expansion stage, revealed 24 and 26 loci, respectively. The fruit weight, sugars, and organic acids content of each IL was measured and several QTLs controlling these traits were mapped. Comparison between map location of QTLs and candidate gene loci indicated a few candidate genes that may influence the variation of sugar or acid contents. Furthermore, the gene/QTL locations could be compared with the loci mapped in other tomato populations.     

Genetic analysis of organoleptic quality in fresh market tomato. 1. Mapping QTLs for physical and chemical traits

Improving organoleptic quality is an important but complex goal for fresh market tomato breeders. A total of 26 traits involved in organoleptic quality variation were evaluated, in order to understand the genetic control of this characteristic. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population was developed from an intraspecific cross between a cherry tomato line with a good overall aroma intensity and an inbred line with a common taste but with bigger fruits. Physical traits included fruit weight, diameter, color (L,a,b), firmness and elasticity. Chemical traits were dry matter weight, titratable acidity, pH, and the contents of soluble solids, sugars, lycopene, carotene and 12 aroma volatiles. RILs showed a large range of variation for most of the traits and many of them were transgressive. Some correlations between aroma volatiles were in accordance with the metabolic pathway they originated from. A total of 81 significant QTLs were detected for the 26 traits by simple and composite interval mapping. They were mainly distributed in a few regions on chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11 and 12. Major QTLs (R²>30%) were detected for fruit weight, diameter, and color, and for six aroma volatiles. Co-localization of QTLs controlling correlated traits was mainly found on chromosome 2. QTLs for fruit weight and sugar content or dry matter weight were often co-localized. However, a QTL for soluble-solids content and dry matter weight have been detected on chromosome 9 in a region without fruit weight QTLs. QTLs for seven aroma volatiles, lycopene content and fruit color were also co-localized. The QTL localizations were compared with those detected in crosses between Lycopersicon esculentum and wild tomato species. Received: 19 January 2000 / Accepted: 26 May 2000     

Marker-assisted introgression of five QTLs controlling fruit quality traits into three tomato lines revealed interactions between QTLs and genetic backgrounds

The evaluation of organoleptic quality of tomato fruit requires physical, chemical and sensory analyses, which are expensive and difficult to assess. Therefore, their practical use in phenotypic selection is difficult. In a previous study, the genetic control of several traits related to organoleptic quality of fresh-market tomato fruit was investigated. Five chromosome regions strongly involved in organoleptic quality attributes were then chosen to be introgressed into three different recipient lines through marker-assisted selection. A marker-assisted backcross (MABC) strategy was performed, as all the favorable alleles for quality traits were provided by the same parental tomato line, whose fruit weight (FW) and firmness were much lower than those of the lines commonly used to develop fresh market varieties. Three improved lines were obtained after three backcrossing and two selfing generations. The implementation of the MABC scheme is described. The three improved lines were crossed together and with the recipient lines in a half-diallel mating scheme, and the simultaneous effect of the five quantitative trait locus (QTL) regions was compared in different genetic backgrounds. Significant effects of the introgressed regions and of the genetic backgrounds were shown. Additive effects were detected for soluble solid and reducing sugar content in two genetic backgrounds. A partially dominant effect on titratable acidity was detected in only one genetic background. In contrast, additive to dominant unfavorable effects of the donor alleles were detected for FW and locule number in the three genetic backgrounds. Recessive QTL effects on firmness were only detected in the two firmest genetic backgrounds. Comparison of the hybrids in the half-diallel gave complementary information on the effects of: (1) the alleles at the selected regions, (2) the genetic backgrounds and (3) their interaction. Breeding efficiency strongly varied according to the recipient parent, and significant interactions between QTLs and genetic backgrounds were shown for all of the traits studied.     

Stability over genetic backgrounds, generations and years of quantitative trait locus (QTLs) for organoleptic quality in tomato

The efficiency of marker-assisted backcross for the introgression of a quantitative trait locus (QTL) from a donor line into a recipient line depends on the stability of QTL expression. QTLs for six quality traits in tomato (fruit weight, firmness, locule number, soluble solid content, sugar content and titratable acidity) were studied in order to investigate their individual effect and their stability over years, generations and genetic backgrounds. Five chromosome regions carrying fruit quality QTLs were transferred following a marker-assisted backcross scheme from a cherry tomato line into three modern lines with larger fruits. Three sets of genotypes corresponding to three generations were compared: (1) an RIL population, which contained 50% of each parental genome, (2) three BC3S1 populations which segregated simultaneously for the five regions of interest but were almost fully homozygous for the recipient genome on the eight chromosomes carrying no QTL and (3) three sets of QTL-NILs (BC3S3 lines) which differed from the recipient line only in one of the five regions. QTL detection was performed in each generation, in each genetic background and during 2 successive years for QTL-NILs. About half of the QTLs detected in QTL-NILs were detected in both years. Eight of the ten QTLs detected in RILs were recovered in the QTL-NILs with the genetic background used for the initial QTL mapping experiment, with the exception of two QTLs for fruit firmness. Several new QTLs were detected. In the two other genetic backgrounds, the number of QTLs in common with the RILs was lower, but several new QTLs were also detected in advanced generations.     

Fine mapping of QTLs of chromosome 2 affecting the fruit architecture and composition of tomato

Negative correlations between quality traits and fruit size may hamper the breeding of fresh market tomato varieties for better organoleptic qualities. In a recent QTL analysis, QTLs with large effects on fruit weight, locule number and several quality traits were detected in the distal 50 cM of chromosome 2, but favorable alleles for fruit weight and locule number were unfavorable to quality traits. Substitution mapping was undertaken to determine whether the effects were due to a single QTL or to several tightly linked QTLs. Several chromosomal segments were characterized using near-isogenic lines. Five of them appeared to be involved in one or several traits. Considering the five segments from the top to the bottom of the region, the QTLs detected in each segment controlled the variation of: (1) fruit weight, (2) soluble solids content and dry matter weight, (3) fruit weight, (4) locule number and (5) fruit weight, dry matter weight, total sugars, titratable acidity and soluble solids content. This last cluster illustrates an antagonism between fruit weight and four quality traits, as favorable alleles are not conferred by the same parent in both cases. Nevertheless, several antagonistic QTLs were separated from each other in the first four segments, holding the promise for marker-assisted improvement of fruit quality traits without compromising the fruit size.     

Identification of growth processes involved in QTLs for tomato fruit size and composition

Many quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for quality traits havebeen located on the tomato genetic map, but introgression offavourable wild alleles into large fruited species is hamperedby co-localizations of QTLs with antagonist effects. The aimof this study was to assess the growth processes controlledby the main QTLs for fruit size and composition. Four nearlyisogenic lines (NILs) derived from an intraspecific cross betweena tasty cherry tomato (Cervil) and a normal-tasting large fruittomato (Levovil) were studied. The lines carried one (L2, L4,and L9) or five (Lx) introgressions from Cervil on chromosomes1, 2, 4, and 9. QTLs for fruit size could be mainly associatedwith cell division processes in L2 and L9, whereas cell expansionwas rather homogeneous among the genotypes, except Cervil forwhich the low expansion rate was attributed to low cell plasticity.The link between endoreduplication and fruit size remained unclear,as cell or fruit sizes were positively correlated with the cellDNA content, but not with the endoreduplication factor. QTLsfor fruit composition reflected differences in water accumulationrather than in sugar accumulation, except in L9 for which theup-regulation of sucrose unloading and hexose transport and/orstarch synthesis was suggested. This may explain the increasedamount of carbon allocated to cell structures in L9, which couldbe related to a QTL for fruit texture. In Lx, these effectswere attenuated, except on fruit size and cell division. Finally,the region on top of chromosome 9 may control size and compositionattributes in tomato, by a combination of QTL effects on celldivision, cell wall synthesis, and carbon import and metabolism. Key words: Cell division and expansion, endoreduplication, fruit quality, near isogenic line, osmotic regulation, quantitative trait locus, Solanum lycopersicum, starch, sugar and acid contents Received 22 July 2008; Revised 17 October 2008 Accepted 20 October 2008     

猕猴桃品种‘金桃’采收指标与果实软熟品质相关性研究

分别对河南省27个果园的中华猕猴桃（Actinidia chinensis Planch.）品种‘金桃’果实的5项采收生理指标及果实软熟时的8项品质性状进行测定,采用主成分分析法对果实软熟时的品质指标进行综合评分,并对果实的采收生理指标、果实软熟品质指标及综合分值间进行相关性分析。结果显示,采收时的生理指标（干物质、色度角、硬度和可溶性固形物）均与果实软熟品质综合分值间呈极显著相关,其中干物质相关系数最高,为0.437。干物质与体现果实软熟品质的关键指标（可溶性固形物、总糖和糖酸比）均呈极显著性相关。研究结果表明‘金桃’果实采收时,干物质含量是果实软熟时品质的重要评价指标,而可溶性固形物和色度角是评判采收期的辅助指标。     

Both additivity and epistasis control the genetic variation for fruit quality traits in tomato

The effect of a gene involved in the variation of a quantitative trait may change due to epistatic interactions with the overall genetic background or with other genes through digenic interactions. The classical populations used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) are poorly efficient to detect epistasis. To assess the importance of epistasis in the genetic control of fruit quality traits, we compared 13 tomato lines having the same genetic background except for one to five chromosome fragments introgressed from a distant line. Six traits were assessed: fruit soluble solid content, sugar content and titratable acidity, fruit weight, locule number and fruit firmness. Except for firmness, a large part of the variation of the six traits was under additive control, but interactions between QTL leading to epistasis effects were common. In the lines cumulating several QTL regions, all the significant epistatic interactions had a sign opposite to the additive effects, suggesting less than additive epistasis. Finally the re-examination of the segregating population initially used to map the QTL confirmed the extent of epistasis, which frequently involved a region where main effect QTL have been detected in this progeny or in other studies.