Pear (pyrus communis) MONICA

Pear (Pyrus communis) 'Monica'

Autumn Romanian variety with large fruits and tolerance to diseases and pests.

'Monica' is a modern autumn pear variety bred at the Piteşti – Mărăcineni institute. It was created by crossing ‘Santa Maria’ and ‘Principe di Gonzaga’. It is valued for its large fruits, suitability for intensive orchards (good affinity with quince), and valuable tolerance to major diseases and pests, including the Pear Psylla.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Large fruits (average 160 – 180 g, up to 250 g).
• Tolerance to Scab, Fire blight, and Pear Psylla.
• High yield for juice production (approx. 67%).
• Suitable for intensive planting (good affinity with quince).
• Gradual ripening.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Romania
• Institution: Fruit Research and Development Institute Piteşti – Mărăcineni
• Parentage: ‘Santa Maria’ × ‘Principe di Gonzaga’
• Registration: 1994

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Vigor: Medium, with a semi-upright crown.
• Cultivation: Suitable for intensive and semi-intensive orchards. Has good affinity with quince rootstocks.
• Specifics: Has a slight tendency towards bare wood at the base of one-year shoots.

Fruit

• Size and Weight: Above average to large (160 – 180 g, can reach up to 250 g).
• Shape and Color: Elongated pyriform, symmetrical. The skin is yellow-green, covered with a bright red blush or stripes on 10 – 30% of the surface.
• Flesh: White, juicy, with fine stone cells. Texture changes from crisp to semi-melting to melting.
• Taste: Pleasant, moderately aromatic.
• Usage: Excellent for fresh consumption, but also for juice and nectar production (high yield).

Resistance and Requirements

• Resistance: The variety is tolerant to Scab, Fire blight, and Pear Psylla.

Cultivation Recommendations

• Pollination: Self-sterile. Suitable pollinators: ‘Williams’, ‘Napoca’, ‘Argessis’.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Autumn variety, third decade of September. Ripening is gradual.