Fruit character diversity analysis and numerical classification of Chinese olive germplasm resources

Abstract: 【Objective】The phenotypic genetic diversity of fruit in Chinese olive germplasm resources was analyzed,and the numerical classification was studied based on the diversity.【Methods】The methods of observation and description were determined according to the books of‘fruit germplasm descriptor: record items and evaluation standards' and‘descriptors and data standard for Chinese olive',and the data were analyzed by Q cluster analysis,R cluster analysis and principal component analysis.【Results】Among 11 numerical characters,the weight of single fruit was the largest and the coefficient of variation was 42.00%,and the smllest coefficient of variation of the edible rate was 3.44%. The average variable type among 16 discribed characters was up to 2.9,and the shape of fruit had the largest variation with coefficient 5. The result of Q cluster analysis showed that 60 Chinese olive germplasm resources were divided into three groups at the Euclidean distance of 27.81,and clustered in a group based on the shape,size and quality of fruit. The result of R cluster analysis showed that 27 phenotypic characters closely related were significantly clustered into three groups at coefficient of 2.27. 27 phenotypic characters were mainly composed of 8 independent principal components,including 16 phenotypic characters such as the shape of fruit.【Conclusion】The phenotypic genetic diversity of fruit was abundant in Chinese olive germplasm resources. 16 phenotypic characters such as the shape of fruit played an important role in the numerical classification.