Chemical Diversity of Volatiles From Parents, Rootstock and Atemoya Hybrid

Hybridization promotes the transfer of genetic material from parental species to the hybrid, which can be closely related to one of its parental species or present new features that provide them higher competitivity concerning other chemical phenotype comparing to its parents. On the other hand, grafting technique, in which occurs the combination between two species, also may lead to changes in the volatile profile of terpenes at the grafted plant. The objective of this research was to characterize the chemical profile of volatile compounds in leaves of atemoya hybrid (Annona × Atemoya) (Mobb.), its male and female parents (Annona squamosa Mill. and Annona cherimola L.), as well as its common rootstock (Annona emarginata (Schltdl.) H. Rainer var. “Terra-fria”). Leaf samples from atemoya, its parents and the rootstock were collected in São Bento do Sapucaí and Santa Fé do Sul, São Paulo state, Brazil. Volatile substances were obtained by microextraction solid phase (SPME). Chemical profile of volatile compounds was determined and identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Atemoya hybrid presented substances also found in both parents and rootstock, with a variation on the relative percentage of compounds. Such variation allowed to form three clusters, where I was comprised by the hybrid, II comprised by A. cherimola, and the latter, III, grouping the rootstock and the male parent. We concluded that hybridization and grafting influence production of terpenes in atemoya hybrid (Annona × Atemoya).