Journal of Crop Production and Processing

Study and evaluation of genetic diversity in European pear (Pyrus communis L.) is an important task in the pear breeding programs. This research was carried out in order to evaluate morphological, physiological and pomological variations within the some of the pre-selected European pear seedling genotypes in comparison with `Shahmiveh’ as a reference cultivar. The obtained results showed significant differences within the studied pear seedling genotypes in terms of the mentioned traits. Principal coordinate analysis (PCA) indicated that the studied characters could be placed in four components, explained about 94.02% of the total variability. According to the cluster analysis, the studied genotypes were divided into three groups. A<sub>95</sub> was found to be in the same grouping with ‘Shahmiveh’ as one of the important commercial European pear cultivars in Iran. The same grouping of A<sub>95</sub> with `Shahmiveh’ suggests that this genotype (A₉₅) is superior in terms of suitable vegetative growth and higher fruit quality, among the studied genotypes and in comparison to the reference cultivar. Genotype A₉₅ indicated a better ranking, than `Shahmiveh’ as a reference cultivar, in terms of fruit taste, attractive fruit with red halo color on the skin and suitable vigor with higher productivity, leading to the conclusion that it is as a promising European pear genotype. Further research will continue in the framework of new cultivar release within the pear breeding program at TMU, Iran.