EVALUATION OF USEFUL BOTANICAL TRAITS FOR IRANIAN PYRUS SPECIES

Iran is one of the main origins of Pyrus species in the world. Pyrus species are scattered over a large area in that country, ranging from north to northwest, west and south central regions.
In an intensive research, diversity in habitat, climate, and altitude, and different leaf and fruit morphological of Iranian native Pyrus species were studied to find potentially desirable characteristics of these species.
Based on the earlier studies, 12 native Pyrus species were identified in Iran.
These species had different genetic characteristics, including high cold hardiness, low chilling requirement, strong tendency to parthenocarpy, and high drought tolerance.
Fruit and leaf samples of these species from different geographical regions were collected.
Significant differences among species were found for leaf width, fruit diameter, seed length, petiole length, and leaf surface area.
Further study on qualitative characters indicated that leaf tip, leaf base, and leaf margin were also helpful for characterization and differentiation of these Pyrus species.

XXVII International Horticultural Congress – IHC2006: International Symposium on Asian Plants with Unique Horticultural Potential

M. Sharifani, K. Hemmati, S. Hassani, E. Fallahi

morphology, pear, Pyrus

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.769.24