Characteristics of an F1 generation arising from Butirra Precoce Morettini x Bella di Giugno

Results are presented in which fruit characteristics of two pear cultivars are compared with those of their progeny (101 seedlings of F, generation) produced following crossing. The two cultivars used as parents were ' Butirra Precoce Morettini ', as the maternal parent and ' Bella di Giugno ' as the male parent. The following characteristics were evaluated: fruit weight, fruit length and width, fruit stalk length, fruit soluble solid content and ripening time. Seedlings of the F, generation showed large external variability for all of the tested characters. The largest number of seedlings matured at approximately the same time as the parental partner with the later maturity time. Considering individual fruit weight, all seedlings had lower fruit weight than the parental partner (Butirra Precoce Morettini) with the higher fruit weight. Large numbers of seedlings had higher contents of soluble solids in the fruit, in comparison with the parent with the higher content of soluble solids. Over 70% of the seedlings in this F, generation had higher contents of soluble solids in comparison with the average of both parental partners. Two seedlings were selected (N degrees VIII/75 and VIII/66) as promising new genotypes.