Objective Correlation of the location on a plant, number of seeds, and quality of Pyrus pyrifoli Zheli 6 pears was analyzed to guide flower and fruit thinning and artificial pollination.

Method Mature Zheli 6 pears were sampled from different fruit setting positions on a tree. Numbers of seeds and those of fullness in a fruit were counted. Individual weight, shape index, comprehensive deviation degree (DD), soluble solids content, calyx removal rate, calyx-end protrusion rate, and other fruit quality indicators were measured for a correlation analysis.

Result Pears grown on the 1^st to the 4^th positions on a Zheli 6 plant largely determined its fruit number and yield. The higher the fruit was on a plant, the significantly lower its single weight, soluble solids content, and calyx removal rate, but the greater the shape index and calyx-end protrusion rate. The pears grown on the 1^st to the 3^rd positions bore the most desirable overall quality with single fruit weight exceeding 428g, calyx removal rate above 80%, and calyx-end protrusion rate below 15%. The counts on total and fullness seeds extremely significantly correlated with the single fruit weight at r= 0.685 and 0.542, respectively. The fruits that contained seeds equal or more than 8 on total count or 4 on fullness seeds had a single weight surpassing 500g. The number of fullness seeds extremely significantly inversely correlated with DD at r= −0.212.

Conclusion It appeared that retaining fruits at 1^st to 3^rd positions on a plant and implementing artificial supplementary pollination to increase seed fullness could enhance the chance of harvesting large size, high soluble solids, appealing Zheli 6 pears for the orchard.