Growth, Yield and Fruit Biological Value of Several Less Known Pear Cultivars on the Lower Silesia (Poland)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological value of several less known pear cultivars growing in the climatic conditions of Lower Silesia. The experiment was carried out at the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences. In the spring of 2006, annual trees of 9 cultivars were planted. All the cultivars were grafted onto strongly growing Caucasian pear seedlings (Pyrus caucasica Fed.). The highest total yield in the years 2007–2016 was recorded for the ‘Fertilia Delbard’ and ‘Noiabrska’ (169.7 and 152.0 kg per tree, respectively). The ‘Blanka’ produced the largest fruit (467 g), while fruit of the ‘Isolda’ were the smallest (163 g). In terms of biological value, the fruit of the tested cultivars showed great diversity. Based on the averages from 2011–2012, the maximum vitamin C was found in the fruit of ‘Morava’ and ‘Wyżnica’ (12.08 and 11.13 mg 100 g−1, respectively), and in ‘Uta’ dry matter and extract. The highest content of total polyphenols was recorded in the fruit of the ‘Isolda’ (54.23 mg 100 g−1), and of carotenoids in the fruit of the ‘Noiabrska’, ‘Morava’ and ‘Fertilia Delbard’. The highest antioxidant activity, using the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods, was demonstrated by ‘Isolda’ and ‘Noiabrska’.