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Evaluation and Classification of Fruit Characteristics of Longan Cultivars in Taiwan
Illustration of longan fruits showing suture side (A) cheek side (B) and surface radial pattern (C). The pericarp of a longan fruit has no obvious suture line but it has clear radial patterns on the suture side (A). The cheek side is vertical to the suture side along the equatorial zone. Diameter of fruit suture was measured on the equatorial zone of the suture side from one cheek side’s central point to the other, and diameter of fruit cheek was measured on the cheek side from the suture side’s central point to its opposite side’s central point.
Illustration of longan fruits showing suture side (A) cheek side (B) and surface radial pattern (C). The pericarp of a longan fruit has no obvious suture line but it has clear radial patterns on the suture side (A). The cheek side is vertical to the suture side along the equatorial zone. Diameter of fruit suture was measured on the equatorial zone of the suture side from one cheek side’s central point to the other, and diameter of fruit cheek was measured on the cheek side from the suture side’s central point to its opposite side’s central point.

Author:Jyi-Ren Shay, Wan-Ling Wang*, Jer-Way Chang, and Jyh-Shyan Tsay

Abstract:

    This study was undertaken in 2010 to evaluate fruit characteristics of 36 cultivars of longan (Dimocarpus longan) in the arboretum of the Chiayi Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute (TARI).  Fruit characteristics of these cultivars were analyzed, using the Ward's minimum variance clustering method.  Results showed that 36 cultivars of longan were divided into 5 clusters based on similarities and differences of fruit characteristics.  The cultivars in both clusters A and B had higher fruit weight, aril weight, and fruit diameter, compared to the cultivars of the other 3 clusters.  Cultivars in cluster A had lower seed weight than cultivars in cluster B.  Among cultivars in cluster A, the cultivar 'Shui Gong' showed high potential for economical production because of its high fruit weight (14.9 g), high aril weight (10.2 g), high percentage of aril weight (68.1%) and high total soluble solids of juice (17.2°Brix); followed by the cultivars 'Ponyai' and 'Hong Ke Ying Zhi'.  Cultivars in cluster E had the lowest fruit weight, seed weight, aril weight and fruit diameter, compared to the cultivars in other clusters.  However, in cluster E, the cultivar 'Si Ji Yan' blossomed all year around and produced fruits with high total soluble solids (22.6°Brix), and the cultivar 'Pu Wei Xiao He' produced fruits with high percentage of aril weight (73.5%).  Therefore, despite small fruit size, both 'Si Ji Yan' and 'Pu Wei Xiao He' are valuable source of germplasms for breeding programs of longan.

Key words:Longan, Dimocarpus longan, Germplasm, Fruit quality, Cluster analysis

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Journal of
Taiwan Agricultural Research
Vol. 73, No.2 (2024) ISSN: 2790-086X Vol. 73, No.2 (2024)
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