Variation of Fruit Economic Traits in Natural Populations of Phyllanthus emblica in Western Yunnan

Phyllanthus emblica is one of important health plant in the world. Lack of systematic study on variation of its economic traits will limit exploitation and utilization of this species. Seven fruit economic traits of 256 plants in nine natural populations of P. emblica were investigated in western part of Yunnan Province, China, and variations of the economic traits were estimated as well as relationships between the traits and geographic and environmental factors using multiple methods such as nested variance analysis, correlation analysis and clustering analysis. It was shown from variation coefficients and nested analysis of variance that there existed significant differences in the fruit economic traits among and between populations (P0.01), and 81.6% variation existed within populations. Fruit weight, core weight, solid content and percentage of esculent part varied much more abundantly than fruit size and morphological index. Correlation analysis showed that the solid content was a relatively independent trait which was less correlated with other traits, while significant relationships were seen between other traits. Altitude was the main environmental factors influencing variations of the fruit economic traits, which was in negatively significant correlations to the percentage of esculent part. The 9 natural populations could be divided into 3 groups by clustering analysis based on Euclidean distance calculated from economic traits. On basis of the findings, the strategies were also discussed for breeding and development for this species.