Abstract: In order to innovate new germplasms with high methylated catechins, a F₁ segregating population was constructed with ‘Jinxuan' and ‘Zijuan' as parents. At the same time, an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography method was established to analyze the metabolite content and genetic variation of individual plants in the population. Our study found that most metabolites conformed to the normal and slightly steep distribution. The coefficient of variations were between 20% and 30%. There was a clear heterosis and several individual plants rich in methylated catechins were selected from the population. It also found that the contents of most metabolites in autumn were higher than those in spring, and the amount of total catechins decreased with the purple degree of leaves. The UPLC technology established in this study would provide a more efficient determination method for the future identification and screening of elite tea germplasms and breeding materials. The genetic variation of the chemical components of the ‘Jinxuan' בZijuan' F₁ segregating population identified in this study also provided an important foundation for the high functional component breeding and discovery of genes governing traits through forward genetics.

Key words: tea, ultra high performance liquid chromatography, F₁ population, metabolites, genetic variation