Pear (pyrus communis) ETJUD

Pear (Pyrus communis) - Variety 'Etjud' (Этюд), syn. 'Etjud Kijevskij' (Этюд киевский)

'Etjud' is an excellent early winter pear variety of Ukrainian breeding that combines high resistance with exceptional flavor properties. It is highly valued among growers and consumers for its top-tier dessert quality – its flesh is perfectly melting, without any grittiness, and features a unique, strong rose aroma.

Pear (Pyrus communis) 'Etjud'

It is a reliable variety for areas with unstable climates, ideal for direct consumption during winter as well as for high-end home processing.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Top-tier dessert quality (melting flesh) and a unique rose aroma.
• High frost and drought resistance (reliable even in poorer conditions).
• High resistance to scab and powdery mildew.
• Regular yield without overloading the tree (large fruits every year).
• Long storability (until March) and excellent transportability.
• Versatile use (great for compotes and drying).

Origin and Breeding

• Origin: Ukraine. The variety is the result of the purposeful work of prominent breeders V. P. Kopan and K. N. Kopan (L. P. Simirenko Institute of Horticulture / Lviv Research Station).
• Genetics (Crossing): Created in 1964 by crossing the old, proven varieties 'Béurre Hardy' and 'Joséphine de Malines'. It was accepted into state variety trials in 1988.

Detailed variety description: Plant

• Vigor and crown: The tree grows strongly to vigorously. It forms a compact, broadly pyramidal, and not overly dense crown.
• Training (Critical factor): Branches have a natural tendency to form sharp angles with the trunk. In the first 3 to 4 years, mechanical bending and tying of branches to a more horizontal position (60 – 70°) is recommended. If neglected, there is a risk of the crown breaking apart under the weight of the crop at maturity.
• Planting: Requires sufficient space due to strong growth.

Fruits and Flavor Profile (Key feature)

• Appearance and size: The fruits are large, uniform in shape, with an average weight of 200 – 250 g (max. 300 g). They have a regular, short-pyriform to rounded shape.
• Skin: It is medium thick, firm (excellent for transport). At harvest time it is green-gray, turning deep yellow at full maturity. It is often covered with fine russeting, and a gentle pink blush may appear on the sunny side.
• Flesh: It is intensely creamy. The texture is absolutely top-notch – it is extremely tender, very juicy, fully melting, dissolving in the mouth, and completely free of grittiness.
• Taste and aroma: The taste is excellent, harmoniously sweet-tart. The biggest specific of the variety is its strong and very characteristic aroma reminiscent of roses (with a subtly spicy floral undertone), which is a rarity in the pear world.

Cultivation properties and agrotechnics

• Ripening and storage:
  • Harvest time: Late September to the first decade of October (before the onset of frosts). Fruits must be harvested carefully, always with the stem.
  • Consumption maturity (Important): If you taste the pear directly after picking it from the tree, it will be hard and tart. For the flavor and melting texture to fully develop, the fruits must "condition" in cold storage for 2 to 3 weeks.
  • Storability: Under optimal conditions (0 to +2 °C, humidity 85-90%), they last until February or March (5-6 months). In drier storages, the skin tends to shrivel, which does not, however, deteriorate their taste.
  • Storage warning: Never store 'Etjud' in the same room with apples! The ethylene emitted by apples extremely accelerates ripening.
• Yield and pollination:
  • Onset of fruiting: The variety bears early, starting to fruit already in the 3rd to 4th year after planting.
  • Yield: It is rated as medium but very regular. The tree does not tend towards alternate bearing and does not overload itself, allowing the fruits to maintain their large size (200+ g) every year even without manual thinning.
  • Pollination: It is cross-pollinated. Suitable pollinators include: 'Conference', 'Clapp's Favorite', 'Kucherjanka', 'Stryiska'.
• Resistance and requirements:
  • Diseases: Characterized by high resistance to scab and powdery mildew. However, it only has relative tolerance to the dangerous fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) and requires preventive protection in unfavorable years.
  • Climate: Has excellent frost resistance and good drought tolerance. However, in August (during fruit swelling), it requires supplemental watering.
• Use (Versatility):
  • Besides direct consumption, 'Etjud' is highly valued for processing. Thanks to a firmer structure before full ripeness, it does not fall apart in compotes and retains its shape. It is absolutely ideal for drying – the dried fruits are elastic and retain their unique rose aroma.

Drawbacks of the variety:

• Sharp branch angles require bending and tying in the first years.
• Vigorous growth requires more space.
• Tendency for the skin to shrivel when stored in a drier environment.
• Does not tolerate joint storage with apples, which significantly shortens the storage period.
• Only relative tolerance to fire blight.