Selection of factors for evaluating peach(Prunus persica) fruit quality

To support theoretic basis for the selection of indicators for evaluating the quality of peach. Quality parameters of 10 varieties in honey peach family, 6 varieties in flat peach family, and 3 varieties in smooth-skinned family grown in Beijing rural areas, including fruit weight, fruit shape index, skin color, flesh firmness, contents of total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acid (TA), flavor, etc, were measured. The data were analyzed by principal component analysis and systematic cluster analysis. Results show that there is either relative independence or close correspondence among the characteristics indicators of fruit quality. Based on the above results, 5 indicators stood for a comprehensive system for evaluating peach quality were obtained, which were fruit weight, moisture content, flesh firmness, flavor, and the ratio of TSS to TA. The data of these 5 indicators of all tested fruits were analyzed with rationalization-satisfaction index and the consolidating rule of multidimensional value theory. According to the results, Wanmi, Lvhua 9, and Beijing 38 in honey peach family, Ruipan 1 and Bixia in flat peach family, Ruiguang 19 in smooth-skinned family were of good quality, which was closely relative to the results of organic evaluation.