Variation of Fruit Size and Its Frequency Distribution in Chinese Torreya

Abstract

ABSTRACT Chinese Torreya (Torreya grandis cv Merrillii) is a vital tree crop species in China’s subtropical region. The industrial plantations of this tree have been broadly established across the region. A study on the fruit size and frequency distribution is necessary to the plantation management and the design of machine processing. We measured Chinese Torreya trees and the fruit size at two sites in Zhuji County of Zhejiang Province, the central production area of Chinese Torreya. Our results indicate that the average fruit volume is about 10 cm3, with an average length of 3.0 cm and an average width of 2.0 cm. There is no significant difference in the average fruit size (volume, length, width) among different trees. The pattern of frequency distribution in fruit volume follows a unimodal distribution with the highest frequency around the average volume of 10 cm3. The pattern of the accumulated frequency distribution is in the “S” shape. Taylor’s power laws exist in the fruit volume in most trees with different scaling exponents, which are significantly correlated with the minimum fruit volume on each tree. Multiple domains are found in Taylor’s laws for the fruit lengths and widths. Our study provides necessary background information on fruit size and its frequency distribution for Chinese Torreya. The results may also stimulate further research on the complexity between environmental factors and fruit size and distribution.