Crop Type: Tree crop
Breeding system: Predominantly allogamous
The domesticated pear (Pyrus communis L.) belongs to the Rosaceae family (Maloideae sub-family) and is among the most important and widely cultivated temperate fruit after grape and apple. It is grown in many countries such as China, United States, Italy, Argentina and Spain. The estimated annual world production is about 25 million tons (FAOSTAT 2019).
The genus Pyrus accounts several species and thousands of cultivars that can be grouped into two main germplasm clusters: The Occidental (European) and Oriental (Asian) pears.
The primary centres of origin and domestication are China and the Caucasus mountains (between Minor Asia and Middle East). The cultivated pear belongs to different species among which P. communis, P. buetshineideri, P. Pyrifolia, P. usseriensis and P. sinkiangensis are the most important ones. To date 22 species belonging to the genus Pyrus have been well characterised.
ReferencesFAOSTAT (2019) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAOSTAT database.