Biodiversity in a Globalized Era: The Nutritional and Chemical Value of Traditional Apple and Pear Cultivars

Abstract Conservation of genetic resources and assessment of economically valuable traits of traditional apple and pear varieties in the regions of their initial cultivation are priorities. This study examines the hidden chemistry of early introduced varieties and local autochthons.. The research was conducted in 2020–2022 following the chemical and technological variety-testing program approved by the Scientific Council of the Research Institute of Fruit and Tea Growing of the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan. The study spanned from fruit ripening in semi-intensive orchards near Zardabi village (Guba district) to the end of their post-harvest storage life. For biochemical analysis, a representative sample of 50 typical fruits per variety was collected from mature trees. For storage capacity trials, 100 kg of healthy fruits from each variety were used. The fruits were harvested at commercial maturity and stored under naturally ventilated conditions with a gradual temperature decline (from + 10...+12°C in October to + 2...+4°C in winter). The shelf life of late pear varieties was 1 month, while apples retained quality until spring. The ancient pear varieties and exhibited larger fruit size and higher acidity compared to the commercial and breeding reference varieties (, and , , , ), while the autochthonous variety showed high sucrose content. During five months of non-refrigerated post-harvest storage, the total dry matter content in local indigenous apple varieties and remained stable, indicating no dehydration and excellent juiciness retention. On the contrary, the dry matter content in apples of other ancient varieties increased by a maximum of 37.19% (in the variety). apples showed a minimal decrease in vitamin C by 56.68%, and Sary Tursch apples showed a minimal decrease in acidity by 24.24%. The data obtained scientifically substantiate the potential of ancient varieties for the production of authentic local products and modern breeding.