Rezime:
This study presents the results of in situ evaluation of the main biological properties in 15
traditional pear cultivars and landraces grown in the regions of central and southwest Serbia. The
assessed properties of these genotypes include: phenological properties (flowering phenophase and
harvest maturity), pomological properties (physical, chemical – including bioactive compounds, and
organoleptic) and field resistance to causal agents of diseases (pear scab and fire blight). The earliest
onset of flowering was recorded in ‘Vodenjaja’ (April 02nd) and the latest in ‘Kantaruša’ (April 21st),
with a 19-day interval between them. In terms of harvest maturity, the genotypes were classified into
groups ranging from extremely early (‘Beli Mednjak’ – July 23rd) to late (‘Kantaruša’ and ‘Takiša’,
both October 05th). The highest fruit weight was recorded in ‘Kantaruša’ (364.86 g), while the lowest
was in ‘Takiša’ (20.49 g). The cultivar ‘Takiša’ exhibited the best fruit quality among the assessed
genotypes, as determined by its chemical composition (soluble solids – 14.85%; total sugars –
10.33%). Regarding bioactive compounds, ‘Kantaruša’ was characterized by the highest values for
total phenols (174.50 mg GAE 100 g-1 FW), antioxidant activity (70.97%) and Trolox equivalent
antioxidant capacity (358.10 mmol TE 100 g-1 FW). The highest total anthocyanin content was found
in ‘Lubeničarka’ (2.71 mg C3G 100 g-1 FW). All studied genotypes showed field resistance to fire
blight, and most of them exhibited resistance to pear scab. Thus, Serbian pear genotypes appear to
possess valuable traits that offer significant potential for use in future breeding programmes and production with reduced chemical inputs.