Abstract: Advanced selection and classification of 20 selected Wulongzhuyao jujube trees were carried out by principal component analysis and cluster analysis according to the differences in main quality characteristics. Our results showed that the nutritional quality of Wulongzhuyao jujube resulted from 4 principal components including acid-crisp taste, vitamin C content, fruit size and shape, and fruit sweetness. The acid-crisp taste revealed the highest cumulative variance contribution rate, reaching 28.628%. Among the 20 Wulongzhuyao jujube trees, Nos. 4, 9 and 10 had the highest nutritional value and more acid-crisp taste. The highest VC content was found in No. 20. Moreover, some dominant nutritional characteristics in these trees were observed. For example, the highest vitamin C content was determined in No. 20, No. 24 showed the highest edible rate, the largest fruit size was No. 1 and the highest sweetness was observed in No. 15. Therefore, the Wulongzhuyao jujube trees investigated in this study could be divided into 4 groups based on their characteristics.

Key words: Wulongzhuyao jujube, advanced selection of excellent trees, principal component analysis, fruit characteristics