Welcome to Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin,

Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin ›› 2014, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (25): 116-121.doi: 10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.2014-1000

Special Issue: 园艺

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Correlation and Path Analysis between Mineral Element and Quality Indicators of ‘Fuji’ Apple Fruits

  

  • Received:2014-04-08 Revised:2014-06-25 Online:2014-09-05 Published:2014-09-05

Abstract: Mineral nutrition was the material basis of fruit tree growth, yield formation and quality improvement. In order to determine the species and the regulating roles of mineral elements on fruit quality indicators, the correlative relationship and path coefficient between mineral elements and fruit quality indicators in Fuji fruit produced in Jiaodong Peninsula were studied with the method of canonical correlation and path analysis. The results showed that the coefficient of variation of all mineral element contents in experimental orchard were larger compared with quality indicators. Canonical correlation analysis indicated that fruit firmness and soluble solids had significant correlation with some mineral elements; however there were no significant correlative relationships among fruit weight and titratable acid with various mineral elements. Path analysis in the measured mineral elements further demonstrated that P had the largest positive direct effects on fruit weight, soluble solids and flesh firmness; the direct effects were 2.478, 1.813 and 1.205 respectively. K showed the largest positive direct effects on titratable acid. On the other hand, Mg had the largest negative direct effect on fruit weight, N showed the largest negative direct effect on both soluble solids and flesh firmness, and Mn had the largest negative direct effect on titratable acid. It is concluded that fruit growth and quality formation of Fuji apple were regulated by the synergistic effects of various mineral elements.