Insight into the Influence of Geographic and Genetic Differences on Floral Reward Chemistry: The Blueberry case (Vaccinium spp.)

Floral reward chemistry, encompassing volatile organic compounds, nectar and pollen, is crucial in plant-pollinator interaction. Recent highlights reveal environmental and genetic influence on chemical profiles of floral reward even within species, thus influencing pollinators' decisions and reproduction. This review analyses the effects of geographic variation, such as climate and soil properties, on nectar and VOC composition, while the same cultivar genetic differences refine these features. Research on blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) shows that environmental variability frequently impacts more than genetics, even when inheritance supports some elements of floral chemistry. Our comprehension of these dynamics has been enhanced through methodological advancements such as multi-site field trials, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and SPME-GC-MS profiling. Despite breakthroughs, there are still important unanswered questions about the regulatory structure of VOC production, the incorporation of abiotic stressors, and the technological constraints of volatile sampling. Optimising pollination services and enhancing crop resilience in dynamic environments would fill these knowledge gaps through multi-omics and long-term ecological research.