Relationships Among some Pears Genotypes (Pyrus Communis L.) Based on ISSR and RAPD Analysis

Thirty one pears genotypes from east blacksea region were evaluated for genetic relationships by using Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and ISSR (Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats) markers from total 70 RAPD and ISSR primer investigated, 22 could amplify clearly and consistently. Cluster analysis of the pears genotypes was performed based on data from polymorphic bands RAPD and ISSR by using Jaccard’s similarity coefficient and the Unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) clustering method. The 31 pear genotypes were classified into two major groups. Cluster A was divided into 2 subclusters: Gumushane pears and Trabzon pears. Cluster B consisted of Artvin pears. The similarity matrix values ranged between 0.105 and 0.968.     

Morphological,Biochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Local Loquat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eriobotrya Japonica</Emphasis> (Thunb.) Lindl.) Germplasm from Turkey

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica L.) grown well for commercial purposes in subtropical regions nearly 30 countries and originated from China. The most important loquat producers in the world are China, Spain, Turkey, Pakistan, India, Italy and Brazil. In this study, ten pre-selected promising loquat genotypes sampled from eastern Black region and analyzed for their important morphological, biochemical and antioxidant characteristics. The standard cultivar ‘Sayda’ is also included in the study. The results indicated differences for all of the morphological, biochemical and antioxidant characteristics among tested genotypes. Fruit mass and fruit flesh percentage of the genotypes ranged from 35.40?g (LOQ-8) to 46.90?g (LOQ-5) and from 79.40 (%) to 86.32 (%) indicating some local genotypes had higher fruit mass and fruit flesh percentage than standard cultivar ‘Sayda’. Total phenolic content was the highest as 263?μg GAE/g in LOQ-7 genotype while the lowest in LOQ-8 genotype (185?μg GAE/g). LOQ-7 genotype had the highest total antioxidant capacity. Local genotypes in general have higher total phenolic, total carotenoid, vitamin C and antioxidant activity than cv. ‘Sayda’.     

Analysis of Genetic Relationships Between Wild Roses (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rosa</Emphasis> L. Spp.) Growing in Turkey

Rosa L. taxa are dominantly used for horticulture, food, medicinal, ornamental and aesthetic purposes. Rosa is represented with approximately 200 wild species in the world. The number of natural Rosa species in Turkey is reported as about 31. Rosa species are widely distributed in all regions in Turkey. In this study, RAPD and ISSR markers were applied to assess genetic diversity and genetic relationships among 27 species of Rosa. The UPGMA cluster was constructed using a combination of data from RAPD and ISSR markers. The dendrogram revealed two main clusters. Each cluster was divided into subgroups. This investigation showed that genetic distance was relatively significant among the species. As the results of the study close genetic relationships were found between evolutionary relations, morphplogical properties, and phytogeographical distributions of the Rosa species, The results also propose that RAPD and ISSR markers are useful tools for indicating genetic relationships among Rosa genotypes.     

Biodiversity in Indigenous Germplasm of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrus </Emphasis>from Pakistan Based on Phenotypical and Morphological Traits

A comprehensive analysis of various horticulturally important morphological traits of sixty pear accessions located in five districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Pakistan) was carried out. Several qualitative and quantitative traits were investigated in situ and after the harvesting of leaf and fruit samples. The rich diversity was observed for qualitative traits (i.?e. growth habit, blooming time, intensity of flowering, fruit setting, ripening time, productivity, and fruit shape and color) among pear accessions. As for the quantitative traits, significant variation was observed for leaf area (8.96–27.17 cm²), flowering duration (11–24 days), fruit weight (68.1–322.3 g), average fruit length (2.68–9.87 cm) and average fruit width (1.82–8.12 cm) between pear accessions. Based on qualitative and quantitative data, two dendograms were constructed by using cluster analysis which separated pear accessions into three distinct groups. The cluster analysis showed considerable differences between the accessions for qualitative and quantitative traits. Furthermore, a close association between accessions was noted inside the clusters for qualitative and quantitative traits. The results showed rich diversity and similarity between the pear accessions and needs further assessment at molecular level to elucidate their phylogenetic relationship.     

Genetic Identification and Conservation of Local Turkish Grapevine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis> L.) Genotypes on the Edge of Extinction

In the second half of the nineteenth century, intensive renovation of vineyards took place due to the losses caused by phylloxera and local varieties were mostly replaced by several worldwide cultivars. Shift in genotypic structure in favor of modern cultivars resulted in the decrease or even disappearance of regionally typical local varieties. A total of sixty five Turkish grape genotypes, including 5 references (four cultivars and one rootstock), were genotyped with 16 SSR and 15 SRAP markers. Sixteen SSR primers generated a total of 60 SSR amplicons in which 43 were polymorphic with 73.4% average polymorphism percentage. A total of 111 well-resolved clear DNA bands were obtained from 15 SRAP primers. Of these bands, 53 were highly polymorphic with an average of 47.74%. Cluster analysis based on pooled marker data generated a well resolved grouping pattern. The analyzed genotypes grouped basing on their geographical belongings. There were many cultivar pairs on the dendrogram most of which occurred between 0.75 and 0.90 levels. SSR and SRAP data revealed a wide genetic variability as well as certain synonyms among the historical grape varieties cultivated for decades in local vineyards lengthwise the mountainous regions of Konya, Karaman and Mersin provinces. All the genotypes have been maintained in a grapevine germplasm glasshouse. Preservation and use of these endangered genotypes will be helpful to avoid genetic erosion and diversity loss in this part of Turkey. Also, the molecular data generated in this study could be of great use in determining the optimal breeding strategies to allow continued progress in grapevine breeding.     

Genetic Diversity Among <Emphasis Type="Italic">Juglans Regia</Emphasis> Genotypes Based on Morphological Characters of Nut

Walnut germplasm from three different sites in Oltenia region, located in the southwestern part of Romania, was evaluated to determine the variability and to identify promising types. A total of 64 genotypes were evaluated using morphological characteristics of nuts. Considerable genetic variation in the measured traits was found in native trees which were of seedling origin. Variability found was between 7.62–20.90?g in nut weight, between 31.17 and 53.60?mm in nut length, between 24.81 and 37.48?mm in nut diameter I, and between 23.64 and 36.18?mm in nut diameter II. Separation of the three areas in multivariate space was assessed by calculating the Mahalanobis distance. The highest inter-populations value was observed between Bechet and Ostroveni population (1.83), followed by Sadova and Ostroveni population (1.08), which indicates a wide genetic distance between these populations. Cluster analyses showed a considerable diversity within the same germplasm population. The results indicated that most of genotypes were suitable in terms of morphological traits of nut. These data demonstrated large phenotypic diversity of nut among the selected genotypes that can be considered as a valuable gene stock for breeding programs.     

High-throughput phenotyping of lateral expansion and regrowth of spaced <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lolium perenne</Emphasis> plants using on-field image analysis

Background

Genetic studies and breeding of agricultural crops frequently involve phenotypic characterization of large collections of genotypes grown in field conditions. These evaluations are typically based on visual observations and manual (destructive) measurements. Robust image capture and analysis procedures that allow phenotyping large collections of genotypes in time series during developmental phases represent a clear advantage as they allow non-destructive monitoring of plant growth and performance. A L. perenne germplasm panel including wild accessions, breeding material and commercial varieties has been used to develop a low-cost, high-throughput phenotyping tool for determining plant growth based on images of individual plants during two consecutive growing seasons. Further we have determined the correlation between image analysis-based estimates of the plant’s base area and the capacity to regrow after cutting, with manual counts of tiller number and measurements of leaf growth 2 weeks after cutting, respectively. When working with field-grown plants, image acquisition and image segmentation are particularly challenging as outdoor light conditions vary throughout the day and the season, and variable soil colours hamper the delineation of the object of interest in the image. Therefore we have used several segmentation methods including colour-, texture- and edge-based approaches, and factors derived after a fast Fourier transformation. The performance of the procedure developed has been analysed in terms of effectiveness across different environmental conditions and time points in the season.

Results

The procedure developed was able to analyse correctly 77.2 % of the 24,048 top view images processed. High correlations were found between plant’s base area (image analysis-based) and tiller number (manual measurement) and between regrowth after cutting (image analysis-based) and leaf growth 2 weeks after cutting (manual measurement), with r values up to 0.792 and 0.824, respectively. Nevertheless, these relations depend on the origin of the plant material (forage breeding lines, current forage varieties, current turf varieties, and wild accessions) and the period in the season.

Conclusions

The image-derived parameters presented here deliver reliable, objective data, complementary to the breeders’ scores, and are useful for genetic studies. Furthermore, large variation was shown among genotypes for the parameters investigated.

     

The Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fragaria </Emphasis>in Croatia

Only three native species of genus Fragaria (F. moschata, F. vesca and F. viridis) are recorded in three regions of Croatia. These species as well as many of their hybrids, are, or once were, cultivated for their edible fruits. The majority of cultivated strawberries in Europe belong to garden strawberries F. x ananassa (hybrids of F. chiloensis and F. virginiana). The most expanded wild strawberry species in Croatia is a woodland strawberry (F. vesca) whose berries are gathered seasonally as wild edible fruits. They often contain higher amount of nutrients and bioactive compounds in comparison to cultivated varieties. The research on the genus Fragaria species distribution in Croatia has not been carried out, and so is the case with many others wild growing fruit species in Croatia. By summing up a number of individual citations and observations, it is possible to get a perspective regarding the current state of their distribution.     

Optimization of Factors Affecting <Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> Establishment, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ex vitro</Emphasis> Rooting and Hardening for Commercial Scale Multiplication of Silk Banana (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Musa</Emphasis> AAB)

Factors concerning aseptic culture establishment and hardening were studied in detail in choicest Silk Banana. Effect of size of sucker (small, medium and large), carbon concentration (10, 20 and 30 g/l), season of initiation (wet and dry) and pre-treatments such as segmentation and incision to the explants were studied during initiation. Further, hardening related factors such as substrates used for primary and secondary hardening, nursery nutrition (source and frequency of application) and pre-treatments for ex vitro rooting were also studied. Results revealed that small suckers were most suited for initiations with the least contamination, maximum establishment and higher percentage of greening. Lower concentration of sucrose, though delayed greening, resulted in 100?% establishment of explants. Initiations performed during the drier period were completely free from the fungal contamination and showed less bacterial contamination than those performed during the rainy season. Segmentation of explant into four parts during first subculture supported maximum shoot proliferation by overcoming apical dominance. Coir pith was observed to be the most congenial substrate during primary hardening, whereas coir pith alone or sand: red earth: coir pith (1:1:1) supported superior performance of plantlets during secondary hardening. Single application of mono ammonium phosphate improved growth of plantlets during secondary hardening. Pre-treatment with mono ammonium phosphate gave the best response in terms of rooting and hardening of un-rooted micro-shoots. Thus, the discussed methodology could help the industries to take up commercial scale propagation of Silk Banana.     

An assessment of genetic variability and relationships within Asian pears based on AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) markers

A total of 100 Pyrus L. accessions native mainly to East Asia were subjected to amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis to evaluate genetic variability and relationships among the accessions. Six AFLP primer combinations produced a total of 459 fragments, of which 410 were polymorphic with a polymorphism percentage of 89%. The Dice's similarity coefficient among pear accessions ranged from 0.671 (P. betulaefolia Bge and P. elaeagrifolia Pall.) to 0.947 (‘Umajirou’ and ‘Immuraaki’). Occidental pears generally had low similarities to Asian pears. The dendrogram generated from all the accessions by unweighted pair-group method of arithmetic analysis (UPGMA) cluster analysis clearly distinguished Occidental pears from accessions of East Asia. P. ussuriensis Maxim., P. betulaefolia and P. communis L. clustered separately into independent groups in accordance with their morphological classification. Japanese pear cultivars formed two groups with some Chinese white pears and Chinese sand pears. Chinese white pears and Chinese sand pears independently formed their own groups and also mingled into mixed groups in the dendrogram. Therefore, Chinese white pears were treated as a cultivated group or an ecotype of P. pyrifolia: P. pyrifolia White Pear Group. The information obtained from this study will be of great help for understanding the origin and evolution of Asian pear cultivars.     

Genetic Relationship of Iranian Pear Genotypes with European and Asian Pears as Revealed by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Markers

Genetic variation within specific fruit tree germplasms is an important tool in fruit tree breeding programs. In the present work, the genetic relationship of 31 European and Iranian (Pyrus communis L.) and Asian (Pyrus serotina Rehd) genotypes of pear were studied using 19 randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers. Fifteen out of the 19 primers used in this study amplified 3373 clear and reproducible bands associated with 150 loci and many of them were polymorphic. The dendrogram resulting from the unweighted pair-group method of arithmetic cluster analysis separated the cultivars into eight groups. The correlation coefficient between the cophenetic matrix and the similarity matrix was 0.82 (r = 0.82). There was a significant difference between populations and most studied genotypes clustered closely together based on their geographic origin and Iranian pears placed between two groups of pears. Results showed the suitability of RAPD analysis in genetic diversity study of pear.     

Robust genetic transformation of sorghum (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorghum bicolor</Emphasis> L.) using differentiating embryogenic callus induced from immature embryos

Background

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is one of the world’s most important cereal crops grown for multiple applications and has been identified as a potential biofuel crop. Despite several decades of study, sorghum has been widely considered as a recalcitrant major crop for transformation due to accumulation of phenolic compounds, lack of model genotypes, low regeneration frequency and loss of regeneration potential through sub-cultures. Among different explants used for genetic transformation of sorghum, immature embryos are ideal over other explants. However, the continuous supply of quality immature embryos for transformation is labour intensive and expensive. In addition, transformation efficiencies are also influenced by environmental conditions (light and temperature). Despite these challenges, immature embryos remain the predominant choice because of their success rate and also due to non-availability of other dependable explants without compromising the transformation efficiency.

Results

We report here a robust genetic transformation method for sorghum (Tx430) using differentiating embryogenic calli (DEC) with nodular structures induced from immature embryos and maintained for more than a year without losing regeneration potential on modified MS media. The addition of lipoic acid (LA) to callus induction media along with optimized growth regulators increased callus induction frequency from 61.3 ± 3.2 to 79 ± 6.5% from immature embryos (1.5–2.0 mm in length) isolated 12–15 days after pollination. Similarly, the regeneration efficiency and the number of shoots from DEC tissue was enhanced by LA. The optimized regeneration system in combination with particle bombardment resulted in an average transformation efficiency (TE) of 27.2 or 46.6% based on the selection strategy, 25% to twofold higher TE than published reports in Tx430. Up to 100% putative transgenic shoots were positive for npt-II by PCR and 48% of events had < 3 copies of transgenes as determined by digital droplet PCR. Reproducibility of this method was demonstrated by generating ~ 800 transgenic plants using 10 different gene constructs.

Conclusions

This protocol demonstrates significant improvements in both efficiency and ease of use over existing sorghum transformation methods using PDS, also enables quick hypothesis testing in the production of various high value products in sorghum.

     

Spatial prediction of caterpillar (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ormiscodes</Emphasis>) defoliation in Patagonian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nothofagus</Emphasis> forests

In the temperate forests of the southern Andes, southern beech species (Nothofagus), the dominant tree species of the region, experience severe defoliation caused by caterpillars of the Ormiscodes genus (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). Despite the recent increase in defoliation frequency in some areas, there is no quantitative information on the spatial extent and dynamics of these outbreaks. This study examines the spatial patterns of O. amphimone outbreaks in relation to landscape heterogeneity. We mapped defoliation events caused by O. amphimone in northern (ca. 40–41°S) and southern Patagonian (ca. 49°S) Nothofagus forests from Landsat imagery and analyzed their spatial associations with vegetation cover type, topography (elevation, slope angle, aspect) and mean annual precipitation using overlay analyses. We used these data and relationships to develop a logistic regression model in order to generate maps of predicted susceptibility to defoliation by O. amphimone for each study area. Forests of N. pumilio are typically more susceptible to O. amphimone outbreaks than lower elevation forests of other Nothofagus species (N. dombeyi and N. antarctica). Stands located at intermediate elevations and on gentle slopes (<15°) are also more susceptible to defoliation than higher and lower elevation stands located on high angle slopes. Stands in areas with intermediate to high precipitation, relative to the distribution of Nothofagus along the precipitation gradient, are more susceptible to O. amphimone attack than are drier areas. Our study represents the first mapping and spatial analysis of insect defoliator outbreaks in Nothofagus forests in South America.     

Protocol: Optimised methodology for isolation of nuclei from leaves of species in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanaceae</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rosaceae</Emphasis> families

In this study, a protocol is described for rapid preparation of an enriched, reasonably pure fraction of nuclear proteins from the leaves of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), potato (Solanum tuberosum) and apple (Malus domestica). The protocol gives reproducible results and can be carried out quickly in 2 hours. Tissue extracts clarified with filtration were treated with non-ionic detergent (Triton X-100) to lyse membranes of contaminating organelles. Nuclei were collected from a 60% Percoll layer of density gradient following low-speed centrifugation. Western blot analysis using antibodies to marker proteins of organelles indicated that the nuclear protein fractions were highly enriched and free or nearly free of proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum and chloroplasts.     

Study of the Solar Drying of Pears

ABSTRACT

Four pear cultivars originating from Portugal (‘Amêndoa’, ‘Amorim’, ‘Carapinheira Branca’ and ‘S. Bartolomeu’) were dried in a solar drier, following a traditional sun drying method normally used in Portugal for the production of dried pears. The temperature and relative humidity inside the drier were recorded hourly throughout the whole process, while the moisture loss in the pears was evaluated with a variable frequency along the drying process, according to the drying rate. From the results obtained, it was possible to conclude that the conditions inside the drier are very favorable to drying, with periods in which the atmosphere is characterized by very high temperatures and very low relative humidities. Furthermore, the drying rates of the four cultivars of pears used in this study were investigated and it was observed that all of them present a similar kinetic behavior, thus enabling the use of alternative cultivars for the production of dried pears.     

Temporal variability in potential connectivity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vallisneria americana</Emphasis> in the Chesapeake Bay

Context

Submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) performs water quality enhancing functions that are critical to the overall health of estuaries such as the Chesapeake Bay. However, eutrophication and sedimentation have decimated the Bay’s SAV population to a fraction of its historical coverage. Understanding the spatial distribution of and connectedness among patches is important for assessing the dynamics and health of the remaining SAV population.

Objectives

We seek to explore the distribution of SAV patches and patterns of potential connectivity in the Chesapeake Bay through time.

Methods

We assess critical distances, from complete patch isolation to connection of all patches, in a merged composite coverage map that represents the sum of all probable Vallisneria americana containing patches between 1984 and 2010 and in coverage maps for individual years within that timeframe for which complete survey data are available.

Results

We have three key findings: First, the amount of SAV coverage in any given year is much smaller than the total recently occupied acreage. Second, the vast majority of patches of SAV that are within the tolerances of V. americana are ephemeral, being observed in only 1 or 2 years out of 26 years. Third, this high patch turnover results in highly variable connectivity from year to year, dependent on dispersal distance and patch arrangement.

Conclusions

Most of the connectivity thresholds are beyond reasonable dispersal distances for V. americana. If the high turnover in habitat occupancy is due to marginal water quality, relatively small improvements could greatly increase V. americana growth and persistence.

     

黑穗醋栗品种亲缘关系的ISSR分析

 采用ISSR标记技术对39个黑穗醋栗品种的亲缘关系进行分析。结果表明：13条ISSR引物扩增的总带数（A）从3到11条不等,平均扩增出6.77条带,平均多态性带百分比（P）为64.37%。聚类分析显示,在相似性系数为0.8496处将39个黑穗醋栗品种分为5组。第Ⅰ组包含8个起源国家的品种,说明世界各国之间基因交流较为频繁。‘Ben Lomond’和‘Kantata’同其他品种的遗传距离较远,两者又有诸多优良农艺性状,可作为黑穗醋栗的优良育种材料。     

Beschreibung des Feuerbrandbefalls am Institut für Obstzüchtung in Dresden-Pillnitz im Jahr 2003

The orchard of the Institute of Fruit Breeding of the German Federal Centre of Breeding Research on Cultivated Plants in Dresden-Pillnitz was highly affected by fire blight in 2003. Infected pomefruit trees were observed over a period of nearly 3 months. The first symptoms on pear trees were found on May 19th. The pathogen Erwinia amylovora was confirmed officially on May 26, and the last infected apple trees were detected the 11th of August. The infected trees had to be grubbed at the decision of the Phytopathological Authority. In total, 1164 apple and 478 pear trees were grubbed, including the entire pear collection of the gene bank. Of 35 wild species of pear, 49 accessions, eight accessions of six species each, showed infections. The apple collection of the gene bank included 33 wild species, with 365 accessions, and 845 cultivars and clones. Ten accessions of nine wild apple species and 81 cultivars/clones of these collections showed fire blight infection. The source of infection was the pear collection, and the distance from that source was important for the occurrence of infection. Field plots close to the pear collection had tree losses of 10–34%, while more distant plots had losses of 0–6%. Around 80% of the lost apple trees were detected and grubbed from 27th May to 11th June. Some of the cultivars bred in Dresden-Pillnitz, e.g. ‘Pilot’ and ‘Rekarda’, were affected by fire blight in most field plots, whereas most others were affected mainly only in plots adjacent to the infection source. A correlation of r=?0.72 could be calculated for rating in artificial shoot inoculations and percentage of trees of resistant cultivars lost. The cultivars ‘Pirol’, ‘Reanda’, ‘Remo’, ‘Rene’, ‘Renora’, ‘Resi’, and ‘Retina’ showed only a very low numbers of infected trees. No tree of ‘Rewena’ showed symptoms of fire blight. Despite a tendency to postblooming, only 8.9% of ‘Pinova’ trees had to be grubbed.     

Vergleich von Anbausystemen bei der Birne in Abhängigkeit von Sorte und Unterlage: Schlanke Spindel und Güttinger-V-System

To the tenth leaf the influence of two planting systems on yield and fruit size of pear cultivars ‘Conference, 202’ and ‘Alexander Lucas’ grafted on the rootstocks Quince A (MA) and Quince C (MC) was investigated. The planting systems “Slender Spindle” (3.25?×?1.25 m) and “Güttinger-V-System” (3.50?×?0.60 m) were compared. The “Güttinger-V-System” led to higher yields than the planting system “Slender Spindle”. In average of both cultivars and rootstocks the difference between the planting systems amounted to 75.9 t/ha from the third to the tenth leaf. To the additional yield of the “Güttinger-V-System” face additional costs for the installation of the orchard and for the formation of crown. Thus the decision for this planting system will be influenced in a high measure from the producer price.     

Antimicrobial,Antioxidant, and Antimutagenic Activities of Five Turkish Pear Cultivars

The pear (Pyrus spp.) is one of the most important fruits consumed in daily life. The aim of this study was to determine the total phenolic and ascorbic acid contents, as well as the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antimutagenic activities, of various pear cultivars. The fruits of five pear (Pyrus communis L.) cultivars (‘Deveci’, ‘Kizil’, ‘Egirsah’, ‘Gugum’, and ‘Banda’) were used in this study. It was determined that the peel and pulp of the ‘Kizil’ pear had the highest total phenolic content (402.5?mg/100?g and 215.2?mg/100?g, respectively), while those of the ‘Banda’ pear had the lowest total phenolic content (326?mg/100?g and 126.1?mg/100?g, respectively). Additionally, the ‘Kizil’ pear showed the highest antioxidant capacity in the 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and ferric-reducing ability assay (FRAP) (1.72 μmol TE/g FW and 161.25?μmol Fe II/g FW, respectively) and the highest ascorbic acid content (16.02?mg/100?g). The ‘Banda’ pear showed the highest antibacterial activity against the test bacteria. However, none of the pear extracts displayed antifungal activity. While all doses of the ‘Kizil’, ‘Gugum’, and ‘Banda’ pear extracts used in this study, except 80?μL/plate, exhibited antimutagenic activities, only the lowest dose (10?μL/plate) of the ‘Deveci’ pear extract showed the antimutagenic activity against induced mutagenesis in the Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 strain. Consequently, the five Turkish pear cultivars used in this study exhibited different levels of antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antimutagenic activities.