Diversity of Fruit Phenotypic Characters and Germplasm Potential of Illicium verum in Yunnan

In September 2020, 100 individual 18-year Illicium verum were selected for harvesting their fruits in 5 counties in Yunnan province. Variance analysis, principal component analysis, cluster analysis and comprehensive evaluation was made on 13 fruit phenotypic traits. The results showed that it had great differences of fruit phenotypic traits among different individuals, with coefficient of variation of 6.34%-23.67%, and diversity index of 0.98-2.04. Correlation analysis showed that it had significant (P<0.01) positive correlation of quality of fresh single fruit with fruit diameter, fruit thickness, follicle length, width and thickness. The main component analysis demonstrated 5 main components from 13 fruit traits, with cumulative contribution rate of 84.70%. 10 individuals were selected for elite characters by comprehensive evaluation, of which 3 individuals had better comprehensive characters, and 7 had larger fruit diameter, thicker fresh fruit, longer follicle, indicating potential larger yield. Cluster analysis showed that 100 individuals could be divided into 4 groups.