THE HUNGARIAN PEAR GERMPLASM (PYRUS COMMUNIS) AS SOURCE OF GENETIC VARIABILITY FOR BREEDING PROGRAMS

The Hungarian pear (Pyrus communis) collection consists of 423 genotypes distributed over seven gene banks 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 gene banks where pears are collected and grown. Descriptions of traits of miniature pears found in Hungarian gene banks for the interest of genetic characterization and breeding are also presented.