Pear (pyrus communis) LUKNA

Pear (Pyrus communis) 'Lukna'

A Lithuanian variety with large fruits and a unique juniper flavour.

'Lukna' is a Lithuanian early autumn pear variety, valued for its large fruits, excellent sweet taste with a unique, subtly noticeable juniper flavour, and good annual yield. It is also characterized by good disease resistance.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Excellent taste with a unique juniper flavour.
• Large fruits (around 180 g).
• Good and annual yield.
• Good resistance to scab and fruit rot.
• Early entry into bearing (on quince rootstock).

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Lithuania
• Breeders: I. Štaras, A. Lukoševičius
• Institution: LSDI (Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture)
• Crossing: Information not available.
• Registration: Included in the list of recommended varieties in Lithuania in 2002.

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Growth: Medium-vigorous.
• Crown: Broadly pyramidal to almost globular, with drooping branches.
• Flowering: Mid-early.
• Pollination: It is cross-pollinated.

Fruit

• Size and weight: Large, with a weight of around 180 g.
• Shape and colour: Globular-pyriform. Yellow, with distinct red stripes on the sunny side.
• Flesh: Yellowish-white, melting (buttery), juicy, with a small number of stone cells.
• Flavour: Excellent, sweet-tart to very sweet, aromatic, with a unique, subtly noticeable juniper flavour.
• Use: Versatile (fresh consumption, processing).

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: Medium to good.
• Disease resistance: Good resistance to scab and fruit rot.

Cultivation Recommendations

• To ensure a harvest, it is essential to plant another pear variety nearby as a pollinator.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Second decade of September.
• Storability: Approximately 40 days.
• Yield: Good and annual.
• Entry into bearing: 5th year after planting (on quince rootstock also in the 3rd year).
• Transportability: Good.