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Introduction
Collection and establishment of basic material to be used
for gene conservation activities ex situ and to serve as a
starting point for the “modern” commercial fruit industry in
Hungary started during the 18th century. This process was
maintained up to a certain point whereafter changes in land
ownership (establishment of state farms and cooperatives),
where collections were held after the world war, contributed
to eradication of old orchards and increased the speed of
exploitation of the natural genetic reserves of fruit species,
including the European pear (Pyrus communis L.). The
removal of standard trees on the common used pastures and
woods of traditional communities was evident as well as the
so called “wild orchards” and / or forests that was threatened
with losses due to the extension of cultivated land.
It was anticipated that continued high-input and intensive
agricultural practices would lead to further degradation of
ecologically sensitive areas of which over 3 million hectares
have been identified in Hungary (Holly et al., 2009). The need to
collect the natural genetic resources became urgent around the
middle of the 1970s. Identification and collection of historically
and traditionally grown fruit, evolved from wild populations in
the forests (landraces) were the first steps for the conservation
and promotion of fruit species in situ. These landraces were
adapted to local environmental and soil conditions and included
interesting and valuable pears (179 genotypes).
The scope of many of these collections did not fulfill the
role of traditional genebanks, because of an immediate focus
on commercial production and marketing standards.
Consequently, the fate of in situ collections was endangered
and structured genebank collections became more important.
The need for additional conservation methodologies became
apparent and traditional genebank activities have been
complemented by two forms of conservation i.e., ”On-farm”
conservation within a given landscape and agricultural
district where locally adapted genotypes were the most stable
varieties, the result of long-term selection and adaptation
processes (Holly, et al., 2009). Since 1996, this project
formed part of the global programme co-ordinated by
International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) that
aimed at the establishment of a scientific base for on-farm
conservation (Holly & Szekely, 2001). The role of home
gardens was also investigated in the maintenance of crop
genetic diversity (Holly & Szekely, 2001). The principal
purpose of this programme was to conserve the original
genetic composition and integrity of landraces, old cultivars
and local varieties (Holly et al., 2009). This programme was
based on the multiplication of locally adapted genotypes in
selected districts where the climatic and edaphic conditions
are similar to those of the places of origin. Research from
Hungary highlights the case of home gardens as a source of
crop genetic diversity in addition to their traditional role in
families’ food security (Eyzaguirre & Bailey, 2007).
The conservation of natural genetic material with special
or valuable horticultural characters for future plant breeding
can be carried out in suitable genebanks. Genebanks
normally contain obsolete varieties, local varieties, improved
and cultivated varieties, different breeders' lines and hybrids
as well as regional land races, natural varieties and
accessions of wild growing trees. From 1990 onwards,
efforts have been made to establish a national base collection
and a central database for native genetic resources in
Hungary (Holly & Szekely, 2001).
The Hungarian pear germplasm as source of genetic
variability for breeding programmes
Szabó, T.1, Labuschagne, I.F.2, Musacchi, S.3, Nyéki, J.4, Tornyai, J.4, Soltész, M.4& Szabó, Z.4
1Fruit Research and Extension Institute Újfehertó Hungary
2Colors Fruit, P.O. Box 499 Paarl South Africa
3Dipartimento Colture Arboree, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
4Institute for Research and Development, University of Debrecen Hungary
Summary: The Hungarian pear collection (Pyrus communis L.) consists of 423 genotypes distributed over seven genebanks in Hungary. This is one
of the most extensive collections of native and cultivated pears found in Eastern Europe and includes a wide range of genotypes with small size fruit
(referred to as “Miniature pears”). Based on the in situ and ex situ measures taken by governmental and other institutions for fruit tree conservation
in Hungary, an overview is given on some activities regarding areas of Pyrus collection and genebanks where pears are collected and grown.
Descriptions of traits of miniature pears found in Hungarian genebanks for the interest of genetic characterization and breeding are presented.
Key words: Gene conservation, natural genetic resources, landraces, genetic diversity
International Journal of Horticultural Science 2010, 16 (3): 7–13.
Agroinform Publishing House, Budapest, Printed in Hungary
ISSN 1585-0404
8
Pear collection in Hungary
Regions
The majority (60%) of the pear accessions originated in
the western part of Hungary (Transdanubia), because this
region is more coincident with traditional pear cultivation.
The largest collections of pear genotypes were found in
seven Hungarian growing regions:
1. North-Transdanubian region: Counties include
Fejér, Komárom, Veszprém, the northern part of the
Gyôr-Sopron county and the districts of Budapest. A
significant number of pear accessions were collected
at the Danube river bend and the island of Szigetköz
towards the plateau and in the vicinity of the Velence
lake. A considerable part of the collection (about
15%) was found in this region.
2. Western Transdanubian region: Vas, Zala counties
and the western and south-western part of Gyôr-
Sopron county. The majority of accessions have been
collected around the towns of Kôszeg, Szentgotthárd,
Nagykanizsa and Zalaszentgrót. Genotypes found
here represent 35% of all collected pear accessions.
3. Southern Transdanubian region: Baranya, Somogy,
Tolna counties including the towns Pécs, Szekszárd,
Dunaföldvár, whereabout 10% of theaccessionsoriginate.
4. Danube-Tisza-közi plane region: The area between
the two rivers, Bács-Kiskun, Csongrád and Pest
counties at the left bank of Danube river and the right
bank of the Tisza river. Cegléd, Nagykôrös, Kecske-
mét, Jánoshalma, Csongrád towns. These pears
represent 10% of the collection.
5. Tiszántúli region: Békés, Csongrád, Szolnok,
Hajdú-Bihar counties, and plane parts of Szabolcs-
Szatmár and Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén counties.
Especially around the towns Szolnok and Csongrád.
Szeged was the source of 10% of the genotypes
collected in the collection.
6. Nyírség region: Counties of Szabolcs-Szatmár,
Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén and
Hajdú-Bihar, which represent
the sandy soils of the N-E Great
Plane. The upper part of the
Tisza and Szamos rivers
represent the 5% of the
collection.
7. Upland region: Hilly northern
part of the counties Borsod-
Abaúj-Zemplén, Heves and the
central and NE Hungarian
mountains, north-eastern parts
of the counties Nógrád and Pest
counties, around towns: Gönc,
Gyöngyös and Nagymaros.
They contributed 15% of the
assortment. Table 1 summarises
the distribution of pear
accessions in Hungary.
Újfehértó Genebank
In Hungary, the Plant Genebank Council and the Ministry
of Agriculture commissioned the Research Station of
Újfehértó to establish and maintain vegetative field
collections of apple (Malus domestica), pear (Pyrus
communis), quince (Cydonia oblonga) and medlar (Mespilus
germanica) for long-term germplasm conservation (Szabó &
Csiszár, 2002). Collecting of genetic resources for this
genebanks started in 1978. The large-scale collecting work
was finished in 1982, and by 1983 a five hectare genebank
was established in Ujfeherto, with two trees per accession, on
M4, wild pear and quince rootstock (Szabó & Csiszár, 2002).
The number of accessions maintained in the genebank of
Újfehértó, comprises of 706 apples, 423 pears and 55 quince
genotypes.
Data recording for each accession starts in the first year
of fruit bearing. Knowledge of the date of flowering and
ripening, fruit characteristics and growing habit of the tree
allows the identification of varieties and possible duplicates
and are important reference for breeders and collectors. Table
2lists the characters recorded on small sized pears referred to
as “miniature pears” (Szabó & Csiszár, 2002).
In Hungary, one of the major pests of pears is pear psylla
(Psylla pyri) for which chemical control is very difficult and
expensive. After six years of observation (1996–2001) seven
pear accessions in the genebank showed no pear psylla
Szabó, T., Labuschagne, I.F., Musacchi, S., Nyéki, J., Tornyai, J., Soltész, M. & Szabó, Z.
Table 1. Distribution of Pyrus accessions in the Hungarian genebanks
according to their distribution categories (2009).
Distribution categor No. of accessions Per cent (%)
Cultivated varieties 12 3
Accessions from older collections 191 45
Land races 179 42
Wild grown genotypes 16 4
Hybrids 25 6
Total 423 100
Figure 1. Fruit shapes of miniature pear collection in Hungary including 1. regular fruit shape; 2a-c.
broadened shape; 3. elongated; 4. very long; 5. bottle shaped; 6a-b. conic; 7. oval; 8. cylindrical; 9. globular;
10. flattened globe; 11 flat (Adapted from Göndör, 2000).
9The Hungarian pear germplasm as source of genetic variability for breeding programmes
Table 2. Tree and fruit characteristics of Hungarian miniature pear collection found in genebanks.
Variety
Bloom date Fr. measures mm* Extent
begin- full Flower Fruit Ripening Yield Fruit Shape Shape Cover of the
Flesh Seed Empt
ning bloom end density load date (kg/ size* index* width 1 width 2 length type* colour* cover
colour *
Taste* No* seed
tree) (g) (%) * No*
Július végén-
augusztus elején IV.22. IV.25. IV.29. 3,0 2,2 VIII.6. 8,8 55,0 46,3 44,9 62,3 1,35 2 b brown-red 20,0 lightyellow sweet 9 2
érô körte
Június végén-
július elején IV.20. IV.24. IV.28. 2,6 1,9 VII.10. 4,7 37,0 42,0 40,4 40,8 0,97 9 brown-red light yellow sweet 10 3
érô körte
12,5
Augusztusi crimson dark
piros lapos IV.19. IV.23. IV.27. 3,7 2,6 VIII.13. 8,9 66,0 51,8 48,8 46,7 0,90 10 red 97,0 pink sweet 10 5
Nyári piros
körte Gerjén IV.20. IV. 24. IV.27. 3,1 2,2 VIII.22. 5,3 46,7 44,9 43,1 46,2 0,99 9 brown-red 5,0 light yellow sweet 10 1
Júliusi esperes IV.22. IV.26. V.1. 2,5 1,6 VIII.12. 3,1 40,7 43,6 41,9 43,2 0,99 9 brown-red 45,0 white sweet 8 2
Augusztus elején greenish
érô vadkörte IV.22. IV.26. IV.30. 3,3 2,6 VIII.10. 4,8 19,7 33,3 32,3 32,8 0,98 9 brown-red 5,0 yellow sweet 10 2
Juhászné körtéje IV.22. IV.26. IV.30. 2,0 1,6 VIII.12. 2,9 50,0 46,5 44,0 43,2 0,93 9 red brown- 20,0 yellow light sweet 10 3
Piros búzás körte IV.18. IV.23. IV.28. 1,0 0,3 VIII.13. 0,3 20,9 35,3 34,0 34,0 0,96 9 brown-red 15,0 light yellow sweet 10 3
Kisszegfû körte IV.18. IV.22. IV.27. 2,3 0,8 VII.16. 1,2 9,7 26,6 25,4 25,3 0,95 9 brown-red 15,0 light yellow sweet 10 4
Bakó János
árpával érô körte IV.21. IV.25. IV.29. 2,7 1,9 VII.26. 3,3 33,3 38,7 37,0 45,1 1,17 7 orange 5,0 light yellow sweet 10 3
Mézes körte IV.23. IV.27. V.1. 3,3 2,8 VII.20. 4,0 25,0 35,7 34,3 35,8 1,00 9 brown-red 25,0 light yellow sweet 9 3
Solani körte IV.21. IV.25. IV.29. 2,3 1,6 VIII.12. 2,2 23,3 36,2 35,0 32,5 0,90 10 orange 13,5 light yellow acidulous 10 4
Korai szagos körte IV.20. IV.25. IV.29. 3,4 2,6 VII.5. 2,3 13,0 29,6 28,7 29,4 0,99 9 - - light yellow sweet 10 2
Gatya körte IV.23. IV.27. IV.30. 2,4 1,4 VII.24. 2,7 34,7 37,6 35,5 53,7 1,43 6a - - light yellow sweet 10 2
Nácika körte IV.19. IV.23. IV.28. 3,2 2,3 VII.15. 7,0 31,0 39,7 38,3 40,8 1,03 7 brown-red 10,0 light yellow sweet- 10 6
acidulous
Csokros muskotály IV.20. IV.24. IV.27. 2,0 1,4 VIII.12. 1,7 26,3 37,1 36,2 36,8 0,99 7 crimson red 5,0 light yellow sweet 10 4
Füge körte IV.22. IV.26. IV.29. 3,2 2,4 VII.19. 4,2 46,8 42,4 40,3 60,0 1,42 3 orange 35,0 light yellow sweet 9 4
Dorogmai körte IV.23. IV.27. V.1. 3,1 2,3 VIII.1. 5,6 36,0 40,5 38,6 41,8 1,03 9 - - light yellow sweet 9 5
Szekszárdi
Bergamott IV.21. IV.25. IV.29. 2,3 1,4 VIII.1. 3,2 28,0 38,5 37,4 35,3 0,92 9 brown red 10,0 light yellow sweet 10
Fehérvári körte 4. IV.23. IV.27. V.1. 2,7 1,9 VII.21. 3,3 30,0 38,9 37,4 38,7 0,99 7 light red 40,0 light red sweet 9 3
Csákvári ny. körte 30 IV.22. IV.26. IV.29. 2,2 1,5 VII.28. 3,1 47,3 42,9 42,1 49,0 1,14 2b brown red 15,0 light yellow sweet 10 9
Fehérvári körte IV.21. IV.25. IV.29. 1,4 0,5 VIII.5. 0,4 32,0 40,2 38,2 39,6 0,99 7 crimson red 45,0 light yellow sweet 10 3
Arabitka IV.19. IV.24. IV.28. 2,0 1,3 VIII.10. 2,9 36,7 41,8 40,4 38,8 0,93 9 crimson red 25,0 light yellow sweet 10 5
Nagy szegfûkörte IV.22. IV.26. IV.30. 3,0 1,8 VIII.9. 3,1 37,0 40,1 38,6 47,9 1,19 6a crimson red 27,0 light yellow sweet 9 3
Anna körte IV.22. IV.25. IV.28. 2,5 1,4 VIII.12. 3,5 44,0 43,1 41,2 46,7 1,08 7 light brown 12,5 light yellow sweet 10 4
Sárga Bácsa körte IV.21. IV.25. IV.29. 2,3 1,6 X.3. 2,4 42,7 43,3 41,0 48,5 1,12 2b brown red 35,0 light yellow sweet 10 3
Búzás körte IV.21. IV.24. IV.28. 2,0 1,4 VII.20. 3,3 52,0 44,8 43,6 52,4 1,17 2b brown red 20,0 light yellow sweet 10 8
10 Szabó, T., Labuschagne, I.F., Musacchi, S., Nyéki, J., Tornyai, J., Soltész, M. & Szabó, Z.
Table 2. Tree and fruit characteristics of Hungarian miniature pear collection found in genebanks.
Variety
Bloom date Fr. measures mm* Extent
begin- full Flower Fruit Ripening Yield Fruit Shape Shape Cover of the
Flesh Seed Empt
ning bloom end density load date (kg/ size* index* width 1 width 2 length type* colour* cover
colour *
Taste* No* seed
Árpás körte IV.19. IV.24. IV.28. 1,8 1,5 VII.4. 2,9 47,3 43,6 42,3 51,7 1,19 7 brown red 15,0 light yellow sweet 10 8
Árpás körte nagy IV.21. IV.25. IV.28. 2,0 1,7 VII.10. 3,7 39,7 43,5 41,6 41,7 0,96 9 - - light yellow sweet 10 4
Veres körte IV.21. IV.25. IV.29. 3,5 2,4 VIII.16. 7,1 60,0 47,5 45,0 63,2 1,33 2b brown red 20,0 light yellow sweet 9 2
Pomázi júliusi IV.24 IV.27. IV.30. 2,6 1,0 VIII.4. 1,1 32,2 38,5 37,0 44,9 1,17 6a brown red 46,5 light yellow sweet 10 4
Vörös búzakörte IV.22. IV.26. IV.30. 2,8 1,4 VII.29. 3,2 41,7 42,6 40,4 47,2 1,11 1 light brown 25,0 light yellow sweet 9 6
Györkönyi körte IV.22. IV.26. IV.29. 3,6 2,4 VIII.12. 8,1 63,7 48,6 46,6 63,2 1,30 2b crimson red 45,0 light yellow sweet 9 2
Vérteskozmai körte IV.20. IV.25. IV.29. 2,5 1,2 VIII.31. 1,5 46,2 42,9 41,4 38,3 0,89 7 corky brown 65,0 white sweet 10 2
Révész Bálint IV.23. IV.27. V.1. 2,6 1,5 VIII.11. 1,5 39,4 41,4 38,7 50,8 1,23 6b - - light yellow sweet 10 4
Jiplinsi esperes IV.23. IV.27. IV.30. 2,8 2,0 VII.18. 2,7 32,0 40,1 38,6 41,4 1,03 9 brown red 45,0 white sweet 9 4
Vérbélû Sukoró IV.17. IV.21. IV.25. 3,5 2,3 VIII.8 11,9 68,7 52,6 49,9 50,1 0,95 7 crimson red 100,0 dark pink sweet 10 6
Zöld Magdolna IV.20. IV.24. IV.27. 2,8 1,2 VII.19. 1,3 60,0 48,6 46,9 49,8 1,02 7 brown red 10,0 light yellow sweet 10 2
Hertich Bergamottja IV.20. IV.24. IV.28. 2,3 1,0 VII.16. 2,0 41,7 43,1 41,5 47,9 1,11 2b light brown 20,0 white sweet 10 7
Alma alakú korai piros IV.20. IV.23. IV.27. 1,5 0,4 VIII.9. 0,6 41,8 43,3 41,5 41,9 0,97 9 brown red 35,0 light yellow sweet 10 3
Júliusi lapos cukor IV.23. IV.27. IV.30. 3,3 2,4 VII.10. 5,3 37,3 42,8 40,6 41,5 0,97 9 light brown 30,0 light yellow sweet 10 3
Boisbunel kobakja IV.17. IV.21. IV.25. 3,8 2,5 VII.9. 3,8 21,4 34,3 32,7 32,6 0,95 9 - - light yellow sweet-
acidulous 10 3
Lipcsei retek IV.23. IV.27. V.2. 3,8 2,2 VIII.15. 3,5 46,7 43,1 40,7 39,2 0,91 9 - - light yellow sweet 9 2
Solymári cukor IV.21. IV.25. IV.29. 3,0 2,1 VIII.18 4,8 23,0 36,0 34,2 32,6 0,91 9 orange 5,0 light yellow sweet 10 4
Alma körte IV.19. IV.23. IV.26. 2,0 1,3 VIII.5. 2,1 45,8 44,1 42,4 39,8 0,90 9 brown red 35,0 light yellow sweet 10 2
Szôke körte IV.23. IV.27. IV.30. 2,3 1,3 VIII.7. 3,2 43,4 43,0 40,7 52,7 1,23 8 - - light yellow sweet 10 2
Péter bátya IV.23. IV.27. V.1. 2,2 1,5 VIII.13. 3,1 31,3 38,2 36,6 46,8 1,23 2a - - light yellow sweet 10 4
Jászteleki nyári körte IV.24. IV.27. V.1. 2,3 1,8 VIII.1. 4,4 28,0 36,2 34,8 43,7 1,21 7 brown red 5,0 light yellow sweet 10 3
Montreál vajkörte IV.20. IV.24. IV.28. 2,3 2,0 IX.12. 4,0 40,0 44,3 42,4 34,8 0,79 11 - - light yellow Savas 10 3
Ananász IV.20. IV.25. IV.29. 2,2 1,4 VII.20. 7,0 36,3 39,9 38,4 45,0 1,13 7 brown red 30,0 light yellow sweet-
acidulous - -
Bicskei vérbélû IV.19. IV.24. IV.26. 4,2 3,0 VIII.09. 9,6 100,4 59,9 57,2 54,1 0,90 9 crimson red 99,0 dark pink sweet 10 5
Cigány körte IV.17. IV.22. IV.26. 4,1 3,0 VIII.09. 10,5 99,0 59,8 57,0 56,2 0,94 9 crimson red 98,0 light pink sweet 10 6
Bíbor körte IV.17. IV.21. IV.25. 4,1 2,8 VIII.09. 8,7 83,2 56,5 53,4 49,3 0,87 9 crimson red 100,0 light pink sweet 10 4
Kelenvölgyi pirosbélû IV.19. IV.24. IV.28. 3,8 1,6 VIII.16. 4,0 87,3 56,4 53,9 57,2 1,01 9 crimson red 30,0 light pink sweet 10 3
Dolinai nyári körte IV.20. IV.24. Iv.28. 3,1 2,5 VIII.4. 13,6 105,2 57,2 53,6 61,4 1,1 7 crimson red 52,0 light pink sweet 9 1
Kakas körte IV.21. IV.25. IV.29. 3,4 2,7 VIII.17. 11,7 60,4 47,0 44,7 67,6 1,4 2b brown red 35,0 light yellow sweet 9 1
Vilmos körte IV.20. IV.24. IV.28. 3,7 2,7 IX.02. 6,6 125,7 60,6 57,1 76,3 1,26 2b dark pink 12,5 white sweet 10 3
spicy
* Average for three years
Months indicated in Roman numerals
Shape index = fruit length / fruit width
Shape type is coded according to Göndörné (2000) (see Figure 1.)
Visual inspection for Flower density (0-5), where: 0 = no flowers, 5 = abundant flowering; Fruit load (0-5), were: 0 = no fruits and 5 = heavy load
11
damage (Bókoló körte (Dunaföldvár), Füge alakú körte
(Velence), Nagyasszony körte Nyári Kálmán (Érd), Nyári
körte (Dunaföldvár), Rozsnyári körte, Viki körte). Most of
these varieties belong to the 'Sommer Christen Birne' type
pears, except 'Füge alakú körte' and 'Viki körte' (Szabó &
Csiszár, 2002).
Most of the pear and quince varieties in this genebank are
very susceptible to fire blight (Erwinia amylovora). In
Hungary the infection risk is very high in the north eastern
region because of the customary warm weather during
blossom time (Szabó & Csiszár 2002). This is the main
reason why the Ministry of Agriculture decided to establish a
second pear genebank at the Research Station of Fertôd in
the northwestern part of Hungary (close to the Austrian
border). All pear accessions from Újfehértó have already
been propagated (2 trees/accession) in 2001, and they were
re-planted in spring 2002. There are further plans to safety-
duplicate the material and most of the pear varieties can
already be found at the station of Keszthely, in western
Hungary (Szabó & Csiszár 2002). The two commercial pear
cultivars that are the most important in Hungary is Bosc
(32%) and Williams (20%). The other less important
cultivars that are grown are Conference, Packham’sTriumph,
Clapp’s Favourite and Hardenpont.
Characterisation of miniature pear varieties
from Hungarian genebanks
In order to provide information to breeders and to identify
specific donors to breeding programmes from the genebanks,
evaluation and description of genotypes were performed and
data collected for 57 miniature pears over a number of years
(Table 2). In Hungary, flowering time for all miniature pears
is around 17–24 April, full bloom between 21–27 April and
end of bloom between 28 April and 1 May. Ripening date
ranges between 4 July and 31 August, with some later
genotypes of which two ripen in September and one in
October. Fruit size for the miniature
pears is normal distributed, ranging
from 9 g to 125 g, with about half of
the collection between 30 g and 50 g,
averaging 45.5 g. The average length
of the pears is 46 mm and ranges from
25 to 67 mm. Accessions differ largely
in flower density and fruit load, i.e.,
some genotypes show very low fruit
load (0.3 kg / tree) and others up to
13.6 kg / tree on average for three
years. Twelve accessions show 50% or
more seed in fruit to be flat, empty and
undeveloped.
From this collection, three pears
have dark red internal colouring, four
show light red flesh and five have
white flesh. Other accessions all show
light yellow flesh colour. Taste is sweet
for most accessions, three have a more balanced sweet acid
taste and one is acidic. External colour includes browns and
reds that varies from brown red, crimson red to light red,
orange red and pink. Colour coverage ranges from no
coverage (17.5% of genotypes) to near full or full coverage
(8.8%) and about half of the collection show between
10–40% of the fruit coloured. Fruit shape varies from regular
to elongated, globular and flat, but most are globular (42%),
oval (22%) or oblong ovate pyriform (14%). Nine accessions
are slightly elongated and only Szôke körte (”Fair pear”) has
flattened fruits.
Short Descriptions of specific genotypes
1. Alma körte (Apple pear): The variety has been
collected on the southern slopes of the Mecsek
mountain, around the commune of Boda in home
gardens by the associates of the Horticultural
Research Institute. The ripening time is the first week
of August cc. three weeks earlier than Williams. The
fruit are suitable for fresh consumption, but have short
shelf life, lasting a few days before getting soft. Fruits
are small (40–50 g), 41 mm long, 45 mm wide, like a
fattened globe (shape ratio: 0.9). The peduncle is long
and thick, reddish, thickening near the fruit base. Fruit
skin is smooth, medium thick, greenish yellow with
crimson area covering 30-50% of the fruit. Clear,
brown lenticels are abundant. The flesh is white-
yellow, semi-hard, juicy, but mealy at full maturity.
Around the follicle stony granules occur. It tastes
sweet without a particular flavour. Inside, in the
closed cavity many full seeds are set. Trees are
vigorous, initially upwards growing, slender,
developing towards a globular canopy. The branching
system is favourable, many short fruiting shoots are
developed. Shoots are light brown, thin, scarcely
spotted with lenticels. Buds are closely fitted to the
The Hungarian pear germplasm as source of genetic variability for breeding programmes
Figure 2. Miniature pear genotypes from Hungarian genebanks. A.Alma körte (”Apple pear”), B. Arabitka,
C. Augusztusi piros lapos (”Flat, redAugust pear”), D. Bakó János árpával érô körte (”Ripening in the time
of János Bakó barley”), E. Bíbor körte (”Purple pear”), F. Bicskei vérbélû (”Bloody core pear of Bicske”).
12
shoots, bud scales are clear and downy. Blooming
ensues somewhat earlier than Williams, with
mediocre intensity.
2. Arabitka: Late June and early July is the time of
maturity for fresh consumption of this summer pear.
Fruit is small (30–40 g), 39 mm long and 40 mm
wide. The flattened globe and at the peduncle, the
fruit is bulging (shape index 0.9). The peduncle is
long and fleshy, light brown to reddish brown on
greenish yellow background. Lenticels are light and
scattered. Fruits appear in bunches on the tree. The
skin is smooth with a lemon green ground colour,
occasionally with some reddish brown spots on the
sunny side. Brown lenticels are scattered on the
surface. The flesh is white or yellowish, juicy and
melting. The taste is sweet and the aroma is weak.
Picked before full maturity, the fruits are transported
and kept for some days on the shelf. The follicles are
closed and enclose many seeds. Trees are vigorous,
the initial pyramid shape turns into a more spreading
growth habit. The branching system and the
distribution of fruiting structures are good. The shoots
are thick and stout, brownish, scattered with light
lenticels. The buds are of mediocre size, closely
adherent to the shoot. Early blooming, 1–2 days
earlier than Williams. Flower density is very good and
fruit set is excellent.
3. Augusztusi piros lapos (Flat, red of August):
Ripening in early August, suitable for fresh
consumption and becomes mealy a few days after
picking, therefore it cannot be stored for long periods.
Fruit is medium size (around 70 g), 48 mm long, 53
mm wide, shape index: 0.9. The peduncle is long,
green, and thick, even more at the fruit base. The fruit
skin is slightly undulate, occasionally smooth,
medium thick, its colour is light green covered almost
entirely by a purple tinge with a slight waxy layer.
Lenticels are of medium density, greenish yellow or
purple. The fruit flesh is dark-pink or purple, in some
years light red, its consistency is semi-firm, juicy,
sweet, with weak aroma and less conspicuous stony
granules around the follicles. The inner cavity is
closed and contains many seeds. Trees are vigorous,
crown is medium dense, canopy is oblong. The shoots
are medium long, medium thick, light reddish brown.
Small clear lenticels are abundant. Buds are small,
closely fitting to the shoot or slightly detached. Early
blooming a few days before Williams with mediocre
flower density. This pear might be susceptible to pear
leaf hopper.
4. Bakó János árpával érô körte (Ripening with
barley of János Bakó): Ripening at end of July to
early August. For fresh consumption, however, the
fruit gets mealy soon at full maturity. Fruit size is
small (30–50 g), 47 mm long, 40 mm wide, shape
index: 1.2 (oval). Appearance is attractive with a
smooth finish. The rind is medium thick, lemon
yellow and red colour may cover the sunny side up to
one quarter of the surface. The skin is dry to the touch,
smooth with many clear lenticels. Peduncle is long, thin,
reddish or yellow, with no depression at the fruit base.
The flesh is medium firm, a little juicy, pale yellow,
sweet, medium scented. Some stony granules occur. The
follicles are partly closed, star-shaped with many seeds.
Trees are medium vigorous, the canopy is medium dense
with a globular crown. Shoots are medium long and
medium thick with dark reddish-brown colour and spare
lenticels. Buds are medium large, loosely fitting to the
shoot. Blooming date is one or two days after Williams.
Flower density is intermediate.
5. Bíbor körte (purple pear): For fresh consumption,
fruits are picked in early to mid August. Fruit size is
intermediate (70–100 g), 50 mm long, 57 mm wide,
flattened and in some years globular. The shape index
is 0.9. The surface is slightly undulating, the skin is
thick. The ground colour is lemon yellow, but the
purple cover colour may dominate. The surface is
densely scattered with brown lenticels especially on
the calyx end. The peduncle is long and thick, green
with lenticels and corky on the top. The semi-firm
fruit flesh is juicy, mealy at full maturity, with stony
granules around the seeds. A sweet taste is combined
with a weak flavour. The follicles are closed and
contain many seeds in the cavity inside. Trees are
medium vigorous, the crowns are globular. The
branching system is favourable, many short fruiting
bodies are grown. Shoots are medium long. Early
blooming, three days before Williams. Flower density
and fruit load tend to be good.
6. Bicskei vérbélû (Bloody core of Bicske): Ripe at the
end of July and early August for fresh consumption.
Fruit size is intermediate (90–110 g), 54 mm long, 60
mm wide, the shape index is 1.1. The appearance is
attractive, smooth and waxy. The peel is medium thick.
The ground colour is light green covered almost entirely
by the purple-red. Small, light lenticels are scattered on
the surface. The fruit flesh is medium firm, melting
juicy with some stone cells. Its colour is purple-red or
dark pink. The sweet taste is combined with almost no
aroma. The closed follicles contain many seeds. Trees
are medium or highly vigorous with medium dense
crowns of an elongated globular canopy. Shoots are
medium thick, light brown with few lenticels. Buds are
intermediate and are loosely attached to the shoot. The
flowering time is three days before Williams. Flower
density and fruit set are excellent.
Discussion
From the total area of Hungary (93,000 km2) cca., only
4,500 hectares is suitable for pear production, because most
of the cultivated pear cultivars originated from the cooler
Western-European countries, thus requiring higher air
Szabó, T., Labuschagne, I.F., Musacchi, S., Nyéki, J., Tornyai, J., Soltész, M. & Szabó, Z.
13
humidity. Successful pear growing is carried out only in two
regions of the country, i.e., in Zala county and in the
Bodrogköz region. Presently the total pear orchard area in
Hungary under production is 3,200 hectares and the average
yearly crop is 25–30,000 tons of which half of the total
production is exported. To have a wider selection of pear
cultivars that can be grown commercially in Hungary and to
expand pear production in Hungary, the use of locally
adapted genotypes in combination with “foreign” cultivars
will play a major role in a directed breeding and selection
process. It will also be important to introduce cultivars
resistant to Erwinia amylovora if commercial pear
production in Hungary.
World-wide, fruit depositories, genebanks and diverse
fruit collections of historic, cultivated and wild fruit species
in private, governmental and / or federal institutions, receive
attention from organizations that play a role in conservation
of genetic resources, but also from private collectors and
private breeders.
Characterization of collections and accessions in
genebanks help to choose important genotypes and set up a
core collection to integrate characters in the breeding
process. To secure the long term and efficient utilization of
fruit genetic resources in Hungary, to ensure the availability
of germplasm for research, and in order to secure a rich
genetic base for breeders to develop new innovative fruit
cultivars for the future, conservation of natural gene reserves
and the protection of old fruit genotypes in genebanks is
critical. To meet ever evolving consumer demands, unique
qualities of obsolete varieties, land races and natural varieties
will become more important in future breeding programmes.
Presently no pear breeding is performed in Hungary.
References
Eyzaguirre, P. & Bailey, A. (2007): International case studies and
tropical home gardens projects: Offering lessons for a new research
agenda in Europe. In: A. Bailey, P. Eyzaguirre and L. Maggioni
(eds.) The Proceedings of a ECP/GR Workshop: Crop genetic
resources in EU home gardens, 3–4 October, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Göndör Jné. (2000): A körte fajtahasználata és nemesítése.
102–150. In: Göndör Jné (ed.) Körte. Mezôgazda Kiadó, Budapest
Holly, L & Székely, B. (2001): Assessment of crop diversity in
Hungary: Possible indicators for genetic variation. Paper presented
to the: OECD Expert Meeting on Agri-Biodiversity Indicators, 5-8
November 2001 Zürich, Switzerland
Holly, L., A. Simon, I. Már, G.M. Csizmadia, Z. Kollár & Hock,
Z. (2009): Inventorying and on-farm Maintenance of Hungarian
Landraces. In: M. Veteläinen, V. Negri and N. Maxted (eds.).
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conservation management and use
Szabó, T. & Csiszár, L. (2002): Research and Extension Centre for
Fruit Growing, Újfehértó, Hungary. In: L. Maggioni, M. Fischer, M.
Lateur, E.-J. Lamont and E. Lipman (eds.) Report on a ECP/GR
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The Hungarian pear germplasm as source of genetic variability for breeding programmes
