Fruit Quality Analysis of N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N’-phenylurea and Gibberellic Acid-Induced Parthenocarpic Fruit in Asian and European Pears

N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N’-phenylurea (CPPU) and gibberellic acids (GAs) have been effectively applied to induce parthenocarpy in pears, but the fruit quality of the resulting parthenocarpic fruits has not been determined. In this study, exogenous CPPU, GA4+7, and GA3 were used to induce seedless fruit in four pear varieties: ‘Dangshansu’, ‘Zaosu’, ‘Starkrimson’, and ‘Abate Fetel’. We recorded the appearance, fruit set rate, weight, and firmness of mature fruits. Hormone-induced parthenocarpy achieved a fruit set rate comparable to that of hand pollination (HP). GA-induced parthenocarpy had a lower fruit weight than HP. CPPU significantly increased fruit firmness in ‘Starkrimson’ parthenocarpy, whereas GA-induced fruits of ‘Abate Fetel’ and ‘Starkrimson’ exhibited reduced firmness. Soluble sugar analysis showed that fructose content was significantly enhanced in CPPU-induced ‘Dangshansu’ and ‘Starkrimson’ pears, as well as in GA-induced ‘Starkrimson’ and ‘Abate Fetel’. Organic acid assessment revealed that quinic acid content was remarkably increased in CPPU- and GA4+7-induced parthenocarpy compared with HP fruit in ‘Dangshansu’ pear. The main component of organic acids did not change in hormone-induced parthenocarpy. Our results support the targeted use of CPPU and GAs for parthenocarpic fruit production in pears, with consideration of cultivar-specific responses.