Variations of fruit and seed traits of natural and artificial populations in Camellia reticulata L.

For the purpose of improving the fruit and seed traits by selection, 12 fruit and seed traits of sample trees from 3 natural stands and 6 artificial plantations with large size in Camellia reticulata L. were analyzed. The results showed that there were significant variations among genesis, seed sources and individual trees for all traits, except for diameters of fruit. The general rankings in percentage of variance component for different resources were individual, seed resource and genesis. The correlative coefficients between length against width of fruit and other seed traits, as well as oil content indices were negative significant. The correlative coefficients between seed traits and oil content indices were positive significant. The traits as length against width of fruit, seed weight per fruit, kernel ratio per seed, oil content per seed and oil content per fruit were with much higher variations for each resource and higher values for improvement by selection. There were significant negative correlations between length against width of fruit, elevation and oil content of fruit. The traits and strategy for selection in C. reticulata were suggested. Selection of populations and elite trees with higher value in tea-oil production potential should be much benefit for further development of tea-oil industry of C. reticulata in China.

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