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, despite their inherent advantages, the pear industry in Tibet faces several formidable challenges that threaten to hinder its growth and development. Chief among these challenges is the dearth of variety diversity within the local pear cultivation portfolio. The limited number of pear varieties grown in Tibet restricts the range of products available to consumers, limiting the market appeal and competitiveness of the fruit industry. Additionally, suboptimal production management practices, such as inadequate irrigation, fertilization, and pest management, further constrain the yield and quality of pears produced in the region. In light of these challenges, the overarching goal of this study is to introduce high-quality pear varieties from mainland China into Tibet. By diversifying the local pear cultivation portfolio with varieties that are well-suited to the unique conditions of Tibet, we aim to enhance the competitiveness of the fruit industry and lay the theoretical groundwork for fostering the sustainable growth and development of Tibet's characteristic fruit industry.【Method】To achieve this objective, a rigorous selection process was undertaken to identify suitable pear varieties from mainland China for introduction into Tibet. Nine diverse pear varieties, each with its unique characteristics and growth requirements, were carefully chosen as the experimental materials for this study. These varieties were then cultivated in Nyingchi, a region renowned for its favorable climatic conditions that are ideal for pear cultivation. Upon reaching maturity, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted on the cultivated pear varieties to assess their fruit quality traits. Twelve crucial fruit quality indicators were selected for evaluation, including fruit shape, weight, firmness, titratable acid content, solid-acid ratio, stone cell content, and nutritional components such as soluble solids and vitamin C. These indicators were chosen based on their importance in determining the overall quality and market appeal of pears. 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. Factor analysis was used to identify the underlying factors that 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, factor analysis revealed the key factors that contribute to the overall quality of pears. 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, principal component analysis facilitated a more efficient analysis of the data. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between fruit quality traits and potential explanatory variables such as variety, cultivation conditions, and harvest time. This analysis provided insights into the factors that influence fruit quality and identified opportunities for improvement in production management practices. Finally, 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 fruit quality traits among varieties, similarity analysis revealed patterns and clusters that facilitated the classification and ranking of 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 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.【Result】The cultivation of nine diverse pear varieties in Nyingchi yielded results that offered valuable insights into the fruit quality traits of these varieties. 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. This diversity in shape not only adds visual appeal to the fruits but also reflects unique growth patterns and physiological characteristics that contribute to their overall quality. The variety of fruit shapes observed in this study highlights 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 single fruit weight, fruit firmness, titratable acid content, solid-acid ratio, and stone cell content exhibited moderate variations. These moderate variations suggest that while there are differences in these attributes among the different pear varieties, they are generally within a similar range. This consistency in these fruit quality traits indicates that the pear varieties evaluated in this study possess comparable levels of maturity and ripeness, enabling a more meaningful comparison of their overall quality. On the other hand, the CVs for fruit dimensions (both transverse and longitudinal diameters), core dimensions, soluble solids, and vitamin C content were relatively low. This low variability in these parameters suggests a certain level of uniformity across the different pear varieties in terms of size, core size, sweetness, and nutritional value. While this consistency may limit the range of products available to consumers, it also indicates a high level of maturity and ripeness among the pear varieties evaluated in this study. 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 contribute to the overall quality of pears, including size, firmness, shape, and nutritional value. The identification of these underlying factors provides insights into the key attributes that drive variations in fruit quality among the different pear varieties and enables targeted improvements in production management practices to enhance fruit quality. 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 highlights 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. This ranking provides valuable insights into the relative strengths and weaknesses of each variety and enables informed decision-making in variety selection and cultivation strategies. In addition to the overall quality scores, the comprehensive quality evaluation model also revealed patterns and clusters among the different pear varieties based on their fruit quality traits. Weight and transverse diameter emerged as crucial factors for variety classification based on a multidimensional trait analysis. These factors are important indicators of fruit size and shape, which are crucial determinants of market appeal and consumer preferences.【Conclusion】The findings of this study have profound implications for the pear industry in Tibet and offer valuable insights into the potential for introducing high-quality pear varieties from mainland China to enhance the competitiveness of the local fruit industry. Firstly, the introduction of diverse pear varieties from mainland China can enrich the local pear cultivation portfolio and expand the range of products available to consumers. The variety of fruit shapes, sizes, and flavors offered by these varieties has the potential to attract a wider range of customers and enhance the market appeal of pears produced in Tibet. Secondly, the comprehensive quality evaluation model developed in this study provides a robust tool for assessing and ranking pear varieties based on their overall quality scores. By integrating advanced analytical techniques such as factor analysis, principal component analysis, linear regression analysis, and similarity analysis, the model enables a holistic understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each variety. This information is crucial for making informed decisions in variety selection and cultivation strategies to optimize fruit quality and yield. Furthermore, the identification of key factors that drive variations in fruit quality traits among the different pear varieties offers insights into potential areas for improvement in production management practices. By targeting these factors through improvements in irrigation, fertilization, pest management, and other agricultural practices, farmers in Tibet can enhance the yield and quality of pears produced in the region. Finally, this research lays the theoretical foundation for fostering the sustainable development of Tibet's unique fruit industry and enhancing its market competitiveness in the global market. By introducing high-quality pear varieties and optimizing production management practices, Tibet can position itself as a leading producer of high-quality fruits that meet the demands of discerning consumers worldwide. This not only contributes to the economic growth and development of the region but also enhances the overall well-being of its residents through improved access to nutritious and delicious fruits.
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