Contribution of molecular evidence and historic miniatures confirms the role of Silk Road in evolution of pear cultivars

Recent molecular data based on the SSR markers and S-allele genotyping showed that inter-specific hybridization between European pears, Pyrus communis, and East Asian species played an important role in developing some pear cultivars such as ‘Dargazi’, ‘Natanzi’, ‘Ghosi’, and ‘Gonjuni’. The origin of these cultivars is the northeast and central regions of Iran. Historic miniatures demonstrated that both of these regions have been governed by Mongol and Safavid empires during ancient Persia between the 13^th and 18^th centuries. Persian-style miniatures from mentioned era pictured the importance of fruits in the imperial courts. Also the dominant dynasties to the transfer and exchange of fruit species, especially pomegranates, pears, quinces, and apples are illustrated. According to these historic pieces of evidence and recent genetic studies, East Asian Pyrus species have eventual roles in the evolution of some Iranian endemic pear genotypes and cultivars. Interestingly, these cultivars demonstrate morphological and pomological similarities to the eastern species of pear, such as round or oval fruit shapes, and juicy and crispy fruit texture. All these showed the eventual role of the route of the Silk Road in the transfer of pear genetic resources from eastern regions to the western countries of Asia.