TAURIDA BEAUTY

The 'Taurida Beauty' pear variety is a summer variety bred at the Nikitsky Botanical Garden by selecting seedlings from free pollination of the Williams Red variety. The authors of the variety are A. K. Khorolkova and V. L. Basakova. The tree is dwarf with a pyramidal, poorly branched canopy that does not become overcrowded with age. The variety is early-yielding, beginning to bear fruit in the third year after planting and is characterized by regular fruiting. The yield averages 14–18 tons per hectare, reaching a maximum of 24 tons. It fruits mainly on simple and compound ringed spurs and is well compatible with quince rootstock.


The fruits of the 'Taurida Beauty' variety have a short-pyriform shape and above-average size, with an average mass of about 180 grams and a maximum of up to 290 grams. At the stage of technological maturity, the fruits have a greenish-yellow color, while at the stage of consumer maturity they acquire a golden-yellow color with a bright pinkish-red blush, which diffuses over most of the surface. The skin is thin, medium density, smooth and glossy. The flesh is light cream, juicy, tender and melting, possessing a harmonious taste. The chemical composition of the fruits includes 23% dry matter, 12.1% sugars, 0.27% titratable acids and 5.6 mg of ascorbic acid per 100 grams. In terms of tasting evaluation, the variety received high scores for taste and appearance.


The variety is distinguished by high winter hardiness and resistance to scab, as well as a low level of infection with brown speckle and thermal leaf burns. It possesses high drought resistance and medium heat resistance. Technological maturity occurs in late August; it is recommended not to delay harvesting as the fruits ripen quickly on the tree. If harvested on time, pears can be stored under normal conditions for 7–10 days, and in a refrigerator for up to a month.