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The phytochemical characteristic analysis of a group of 30 haskap berry genotypes was carried out bearing in mind the concern for the consumption of food with high nutraceutical value that helps maintain good health. Phytochemical fruit composition and antioxidant activity were assessed by the Folin–Ciocalteau, spectrophotometric, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) as well as ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) method. Evaluation of antioxidant activity was referred to as the Trolox equivalent. The observed differences in the content of phenolics, flavonoids, vitamin C and antioxidant activity allowed us to select genotypes which, due to the high level of the analyzed compounds, are particularly recommended in everyone’s diet. In addition, the analysis of the prospects of increasing the analyzed phytochemical properties, estimated by parameters such as heritability and genetic progress, indicates the effectiveness of breeding in relation to each of the analyzed traits. The results of the presented research can be used in the implementation of future breeding programs for this valuable species.

Positive properties of haskap berries, belonging to L. caerulea, have been known for centuries. From ancient times in Japan, honeysuckle has been used to treat urinary disorders, fever, and headache, and in Korea it was used widely for upper respiratory tract infections, diabetes mellitus, and rheumatoid arthritis (Skupień et al., 2007). The fruits are rich in ascorbic acid, macroand microelements, polyphenolic compounds (especially phenolic acids), anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavonoids, and other bioactive substances. The major anthocyanins are glucosides and rutinosides (Frejnagel, 2007; Rop et al., 2011;Jurikova et al., 2012). The studies presented by Frejnagel ( 2007), Małodobry et al. (2010), andOchmian et al. (2012) indicated that haskap berries exhibit antifungal and anticancer properties, antiadherence, and chemoprotective effects. Compounds contained in the fruits provide protection from cancer, tumor growth, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases, reducing blood pressure, decreasing the risk of heart attack, preventing osteoporosis and anemia, and slowing the aging process. According to Hoppula and Karhu (2006), the biochemical composition of the fruit is strongly affected by the genotype, harvest date, and environmental conditions. Total antioxidant activity, as well as phenolic acid and flavonoid content, can vary among cultivars. There is a pressing need to develop reliable methods for identifying blue honeysuckle cultivars/clones and for assessing genetic diversity in Lonicera genotypes for practical breeding purposes. To start a breeding program it is essential to characterize the available germplasm, either morphologically or molecularly. Germplasm characterization by DNA-based molecular markers allows a better understanding of genetic variability. This is due to the determination of the level of genetic divergence and the molecular pattern of each cultivar. With these data, the breeder can plan crosses using molecular and field data, which can result in the development of superior cultivars more quickly and economically (Langridge and Chalmers, 2004;Morales et al., 2011). Molecular

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