Determination of certain fruit characteristics and performance of Asian pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) under the ecological conditions of southeastern Turkey (Sii̇rt)

This study was conducted in 2022–2023 to determine the phenological, pomological, and some chemical characteristics of the Asian pear cultivar grown under the conditions of Yunuslar Town in the Kurtalan District of Siirt, Turkey. The study involved 10 Asian pear trees, and the analyses and observations were carried out based on the fruit. In the trial, phenological characteristics (bud swelling, bud break, beginning of flowering, full bloom, end of flowering, tree habitus, fruit set stage, fruit harvest), pomological characteristics (fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, flesh firmness, fruit stalk length, fruit stalk thickness, seed weight, fruit aroma, number of seeds, fruit skin texture, and fruit juiciness), and chemical properties (soluble solid content [SSC], pH, titratable acidity, total phenolic content and amount) were examined. Based on the observations, bud swelling occurred between March 1–16, bud break between March 18–22, beginning of flowering between March 30 – April 1, full bloom between April 6–10, end of flowering between April 15–25, and the harvest period occurred between August 25 – September 8. According to the pomological analysis, the average fruit weight was 92,89 g, average fruit length 51,17 mm, average fruit diameter 56,87 mm, flesh firmness 6,12 kg/cm², fruit stalk length 30,94 mm, fruit stalk thickness 3,56 mm, seed weight 0,43 g, fruit aroma was moderate, average number of seeds was 9,5, fruit skin texture was rough, and juiciness was moderate. The SSC was 14,64%, acidity was 0,89%, and pH was 4,52. The fruit flesh color and skin color were also examined.