Comprehensive evaluation of fruit quality traits in longan ‘Fengliduo’ × ‘Dawuyuan’ sexual progenies

Abstract

In this study, the fruit quality traits of the ‘Fengliduo’בDawuyuan’ F1 progenies were assessed over three consecutive years and evaluated using variance analysis, correlation analysis and principal component analysis. The analyses indicated that 24 fruit quality traits showed extreme differences but also interdependence, with coefficient of variation (CV) ranging from 5.52% to 61.99% and Shannon–Weiner diversity index (H′) ranging from 0.40 to 1.90. These fruit quality traits were evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA) of 8 aggregate indicators derived from the 24 single indicators. The results of these aggregate indicators analysis were highly consistent with the actual observations. Our analyses identified two hybrid individuals with superior traits that will be of value for further study.