Survey and evaluation of Chinese cherry germplasms in Luding County, Sichuan Province

Abstract Chinese cherry [ Cerasus pseudocerasus (Lindl). G. Don] is a commercially valuable fruit crop in China. Although Chinese cherry has a long cultivation history in Luding County, the cultivation status and utilization still remain at the early stage. In this study, we investigated the cultivation status and evaluated the economic traits of Chinese cherry germplasms distributed in 39 villages of 12 towns in Luding County. Chinese cherry is widely situated in variable habitats with various topographies and landforms for its great adaptability. All the County plants Chinese cherry for more than 160000 trees with the yield over 6000 t per year. Lengqi, Luqiao, Pengba, Tianba and Wuni towns have relatively higher field yields and higher income than other towns. A large number of Chinese cherry genetic resources are in danger because of the road development, environment destroying and replacement by sweet cherry. The phenological period lasts for nearly 3 to 4 months from infancy to red mature fruits for Luding cherry. The fruit size ranges from 12.14 mm / 14.73 mm to 17.51 mm / 19.11 mm (longitudinal / transverse diameter) with the fruit shape index from 0.80 to 0.92, revealing nearly spherical shape. The weight per fruit ranges from 1.91 to 3.61 g, corresponding to the germplasms of Nanmenguan Yanzigou and Machang Pengba. The total soluble solid content is over 14% among 12 Luding Chinese cherry resources with the maximum value of 18.8%. Vitamin C and total sugar content ranges from 4.03 to 8.75 mg·100mL −1 , and from 7.82 to 13.82 g·100mL −1 , respectively. By comprehensive evaluation, Chinese cherry germplasms from Wuni and Machang villages show the most excellent economic traits, which can be further developed and utilized in the future. The transverse diameter, weight per fruit, and total acid content reveal significant positive correlation with altitude, while fruit shape index and sugar accumulation is negatively correlated to altitude. In addition, Luding Chinese cherry reveal some advantages compared with other areas in Sichuan Basin so that effective measures should be taken to preserve these valuable resources and utilize them for cherry breeding program in the future.