Abstract:

In order to select the excellent small-fruit watermelon varieties suitable for the facility cultivation in Jiangsu Province, the quality analysis and comprehensive evaluation of 10 different varieties of small-fruit watermelon were carried out in spring. According to the tasting criteria, watermelons were scored by the tasting personnel after tasting, and the appearance quality, internal nutrition and economic characteristics of watermelons were measured and recorded in turn. Principal component analysis was used to analyze 18 indicators including tasting scores, and the comprehensive scores and final rankings of 10 watermelon varieties were obtained. Judging from the tasting results, ‘Sumeng 107-446’ had the highest score and the best performance. In terms of fruit economic characteristics, ‘Sumeng 108-020’ showed the largest single fruit weight and transverse diameter, and ‘Early Spring Ruby’ had the topmost fruit longitudinal diameter, skin thickness and fruit shape index, which were significantly different from other watermelon varieties. In terms of internal quality of soluble solids, ‘Sumeng 107-446’ exhibited the supreme content of central and marginal soluble solids. In terms of other intrinsic quality indicators, ‘Early Spring Ruby’ had the top sucrose content, ‘Sumeng 111-034’ had the upmost citric acid content, and ‘Sumeng 107-409’ showed the highest shikimic acid content. Principal component analysis was utilized to analyze 18 indicators and extract 5 principal components. The cumulative contribution rate of the 5 principal components was 89.7%, which could explain 89.7% of the original data information. The overall quality scores of 10 small fruit watermelons in the test were ‘Sumeng 107-409’> ‘Sumeng 111-032’> ‘Sumeng 111-034’> ‘Sumeng 108-020’> ‘Early Spring Carbuncle’> ‘Sumeng 107-446’> ‘Sumeng No.7’> ‘Sumeng No.10’> ‘Sumeng 107-462’> ‘Sumeng 108-019’.

Key words: small fruit watermelon, variety, index, principal component analysis, quality evaluation, comprehensive evaluation