Comprehensive analysis and construction of evaluation model of fruit quality of introduced pear varieties in Nyingchi City

Abstract: 【Objective】Nestled in the towering highlands of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Tibet is a region blessed with an extraordinary blend of geographical and climatic conditions that have nurtured an exceptional diversity of pear varieties. These varieties, renowned for their unique flavors, textures, and adaptability to harsh environments, hold immense potential to contribute significantly to the local agricultural economy and enhance the overall well- being of the region. However, the limited number of pear varieties grown in Tibet restricts the range of products available to consumers. Additionally, suboptimal production management practices, such as inadequate irrigation, fertilization, and pest management, further constrain the yield and quality of pears in the region. The study aimed to evaluate the fruit quality of nine pear varieties introduced from the other provinces in order to provide basis for the local pear industry.【Methods】Nine pear varieties cultivated in Nyingchi were use d as materials. A compre-hensive evaluation was conducted on the cultivated pear varieties to assess their fruit quality traits. Twelve crucial fruit quality indicators were selected for evaluation. To facilitate an in-depth analysis of the data collected, a comprehensive quality evaluation model was developed. This model incorporated techniques such as factor analysis, principal component analysis, linear regression analysis, and similarity analysis to extract meaningful insights from the vast amount of data. The factor analysis was used to identify the underlying factors that would drive variations in fruit quality traits among the different pear varieties. By decomposing the total variance in fruit quality traits into a set of independent factors, the factor analysis revealed the key factors that could contribute to the overall quality of pears. The principal component analysis was then applied to reduce the dimensionality of the data while retaining most of the variation in fruit quality traits. By transforming the original variables into a new set of uncorrelated variables called principal components, the principal component analysis facilitated a more efficient analysis of the data. The linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between the fruit quality traits and potential explanatory variables such as variety, cultivation conditions, and harvest time. This analysis provided insights into the factors that would influence fruit quality and identified opportunities for improvement in production management practices. Finally, the similarity analysis was employed to assess the similarity and dissimilarity among the different pear varieties based on their fruit quality traits. By comparing the profiles of the fruit quality traits among the different varieties, the similarity analysis revealed the patterns and clusters that facilitated the classification and ranking of the pear varieties. The comprehensive quality evaluation model served as a robust framework for categorizing and ranking the pear varieties based on their overall quality scores. By integrating the insights from the factor analysis, principal component analysis, linear regression analysis, and similarity analysis, the model provided a holistic understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each variety, enabling informed decision-making in variety selection and cultivation strategies.【Results】A detailed analysis of the results revealed substantial variations in fruit quality traits among the different varieties. Firstly, the coefficient of variation (CV) for the fruit shape index was conspicuously high, indicating a broad spectrum of fruit shapes among the pear varieties. The variety of fruit shapes observed in this study would highlight the potential for diversifying the local pear cultivation portfolio with varieties that offer a wider range of products to consumers. In contrast to the fruit shape index, the CVs for the single fruit weight, fruit firmness, titratable acid content, solid-acid ratio, and stone cell content exhibited moderate variations. The CVs for fruit dimensions (both transverse and longitudinal diameters), core dimensions, soluble solids, and vitamin C content were relatively low. The factor analysis revealed four primary factors that collectively explained 89.120% of the total variance in fruit quality traits among the pear varieties. Each factor represented distinct characteristics that would contribute to the overall quality of pears, including size, firmness, shape, and nutritional value. The identification of these underlying factors would provide insights into the key attributes that might drive variations in fruit quality among the different pear varieties and enable targeted improvements in production management practices to enhance fruit quality. The statistical analysis demonstrated significant differences among the pear varieties evaluated in this study (R = 0.768, p = 0.001). In particular, Xinli No. 7 and Wanqiu Huang exhibited the most notable disparities in terms of their fruit quality traits. This finding would highlight the importance of variety selection in determining the overall quality and market appeal of pears produced in Tibet. Based on the comprehensive quality evaluation model developed in this study, the nine pear varieties were ranked in terms of their overall quality scores. Yuanhuang emerged as the top performer, followed by Huashan and Cuiguan in descending order. In addition to the overall quality scores, the comprehen- sive quality evaluation model also revealed patterns and clusters among the different pear varieties based on their fruit quality traits. The weight and transverse diameter emerged as crucial factors for variety classification based on a multidimensional trait analysis. These factors could be important indicators of fruit size and shape, which might be crucial determinants of market appeal and consumer preferences.【Conclusion】The fruit quality of nine pear varieties were comprehensively evaluated and a evaluation model was constructed which would provide a reference for the pear industry in Tibet.