In situ Evaluation of Autochthonous Pear (Pyrus communis L.) Genotypes Grown in the Central and Southwest Serbia Region

This study presents the results of in situ evaluation of the main biological properties in 15 traditional pear cultivars and landraces grown in the regions of central and southwest Serbia. The assessed properties of these genotypes include: phenological properties (flowering phenophase and harvest maturity), pomological properties (physical, chemical – including bioactive compounds, and organoleptic) and field resistance to causal agents of diseases (pear scab and fire blight). The earliest onset of flowering was recorded in ‘Vodenjaja’ (April 02nd) and the latest in ‘Kantaruša’ (April 21st), with a 19-day interval between them. In terms of harvest maturity, the genotypes were classified into groups ranging from extremely early (‘Beli Mednjak’ – July 23rd) to late (‘Kantaruša’ and ‘Takiša’, both October 05th). The highest fruit weight was recorded in ‘Kantaruša’ (364.86 g), while the lowest was in ‘Takiša’ (20.49 g). The cultivar ‘Takiša’ exhibited the best fruit quality among the assessed genotypes, as determined by its chemical composition (soluble solids – 14.85%; total sugars – 10.33%). Regarding bioactive compounds, ‘Kantaruša’ was characterized by the highest values for total phenols (174.50 mg GAE 100 g-1 FW), antioxidant activity (70.97%) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (358.10 mmol TE 100 g-1 FW). The highest total anthocyanin content was found in ‘Lubeničarka’ (2.71 mg C3G 100 g-1 FW). All studied genotypes showed field resistance to fire blight, and most of them exhibited resistance to pear scab. Thus, Serbian pear genotypes appear to possess valuable traits that offer significant potential for use in future breeding programmes and production with reduced chemical inputs.