Construction and Application of Evaluation System for Crassulaceae Germplasms
[Objective]A method to effectively evaluate the quality of Crassulaceae germplasms in Fujian was established.[Method]Based on horticultural traits,ornamental property,weather adaptability,and potential applications,48 varieties of succulent plants in the germplasm collection in Fujian were classified by means of the analytic hierarchy process(AHP)and K-Means clustering.[Result]The AHP analysis selected 14 morphological traits,including leaf color,mesophyll texture development,adaptability to summer conditions,plant appearance,and flowering period,which contributed a weight of 61.2%of the total ranking score,to be the key evaluation criteria.The K-Means clustering graded 7 cultivars of the 48 germplasms,Echeveri agavoides'Ebony',Graptopetalum'Purple Delight',Echeveria'Alba Beauty',Graptoveria'Opalina',Echeveria nodulosa'Maruba',Echeveria'Blue Elf',and Echeveria'Peach Pride',as excellent,while 14 including Crassula rupestris F.as good and the remainders,average.[Conclusion]The classification on quality of Crassulaceae germplasms applied AHP and K-Means clustering basically agreed with the field observations in choosing the two top-grade groups that accounted for 43.75%of the 48 succulent plants to be the candidates for breeding and promotion.