Researchers at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, in collaboration with others, have successfully completed a chromosome-scale genome assembly of the d'Anjou pear, a prominent cultivar of the European pear (Pyrus communis) within the Rosaceae family.
This genus encompasses both cultivated and wild species, divided into European and Asian categories, which diverged approximately 3-6 million years ago. The genus includes at least 26 species and 10 natural interspecific hybrids, distributed across Western and Eastern Asia, Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
In 2021, the pear's production value in the United States was estimated at $353 million, highlighting its significance as a cultivated pome fruit globally. The Anjou pear, originating from Belgium and named after France's Anjou region, is one of North America's key varieties.
Source: sci.news