Comparative Evaluation of <i>Pyrus</i> Species to Identify Possible Resources of Interest in Pear Breeding
Leontina I. Simionca Mărcășan,
Rodica Pop,
Peter A. Somsai,
Ion Oltean,
Sergiu Popa,
Adriana F. Sestras,
Mădălina Militaru,
Mihai Botu,
Radu E. Sestras
Affiliations
Leontina I. Simionca Mărcășan
Department of Horticulture and Landscape, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3–5 Manastur, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Rodica Pop
Department of Horticulture and Landscape, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3–5 Manastur, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Peter A. Somsai
Horticulture Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 5 Horticultorilor, 400457 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Ion Oltean
Department of Plant Protection, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 3–5 Manastur, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Sergiu Popa
Department of Horticulture and Forestry, Technical University of Moldova, 42 Mircesti, 2049 Chisinau, Moldova
Adriana F. Sestras
Department of Forestry, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3–5 Manastur, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Mădălina Militaru
Research Institute for Fruit Growing Pitesti, 402 Mărului, 117450 Mărăcineni, Romania
Mihai Botu
Department of Horticulture & Food Science, Faculty of Horticulture, University of Craiova, 200585 Craiova, Romania
Radu E. Sestras
Department of Horticulture and Landscape, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3–5 Manastur, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Pear is one of the most important fruit species grown in the temperate zones of the globe. Besides fruit production, pear species are highly valued in forestry and agroforestry systems; in landscaping, as ornamental features; as fruits of ecological value, and in other areas. The Pyrus species, obtained from a gene bank, were evaluated for the different morphological traits of the trees, leaves, flowers, and fruits, as well as their responses to attacks from principal diseases and pests. Phenotypic data were examined using correlation and multivariate analyses, and a dendrogram of morphological traits was completed via molecular investigations at the DNA level using the RAPD markers. The findings revealed the complexities of the phenotypic and genetic connections among Pyrus species, as well as the difficulty in establishing phylogenetic relationships among pear species. The findings also demonstrated that the wide variability between species with different geographical origins, and their multiple peculiarities of interest, represents a cornerstone as the source of genes of great utility for pear breeding or for utilizing trees for different edible crops and for silvocultural, landscape, or ecological purposes.
