Pomological and physicochemical properties of traditional pear cultivars in Karlovac County, Croatia

Traditional pear cultivars are mainly found as hereditary single trees in backyards, yards, gardens, or as solitary trees in parks, along roads and on forest edges. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pomological and physicochemical characteristics of 13 traditional Croatian pear cultivars, studied in Karlovac County area, in central Croatia, and to filter out potential cultivars for further cultivation or breeding. The analyzes traits showed that the cultivars differed significantly in the characteristics studied, i.e., fruit weight, height and width, fruit index, peduncle length and thickness, fruit firmness, number of sound and empty seeds in relation to the weight of sound seeds, soluble solids content, acidity, ratio of soluble solids to total acidity, pH. The cultivars 'Krasanka' and 'Dugacka' stood out for their fruit size and harmonious ratio of soluble solids and acids, while the cultivar 'Tepka' stood out for its high soluble solids content, which makes it a valuable raw material for distilling. Considering the diversity of pomological characteristics, their potential as sources of genetic variation, and their possible tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress factors, it is important to preserve traditional pear cultivars as a source of quality fruit for consumption or processing, protecting these valuable genetic resources together to the biodiversity of the area where they grow.