Evaluation of Genetic Diversity of Some Pear (Pyrus spp.) Genotypes and Species based on Morphological Characteristics

Document Type : Full Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Prorfessor, University of Ilam, Ilam, Iran

2 Professor, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran

4 Associate Professor, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

Abstract

Pears (Pyrus spp.) belongs to the Rosaceae family, which have been cultivated for
more than 3000 years. Pears are among the most important fruits in all the temperate
regions in about 50 countries of the world. The objectives of this study were to classify
pear genotypes based on qualitative and quantitative characteristic and determination of
their genetic distance. Evaluation of genetic diversity of 47 pear accessions including
European, Asian and wild species, was started since 2008 in University of Tehran and
seed & plant certification & registration institute. Result showed that some traits such as
fruit size, maximum fruit diameter, fruit shape, shape of base and apex in leaf had high
variability. In this study genotypes were classified according to their characteristics and
Ward's method. Results derived from cluster analysis divided the genotypes into three
main groups including European, Asian and wild species. Results of simple correlation
analysis showed that leaf blade length and width have positive correlation with fruit
weight and size. Results of factor analysis indicated that nine main factors indicated
80% of total variance. First and second factors that were related to leaf and fruit
characteristics, described nearly up to 32% of variance.

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