Cydonia

Abstract

The genus Cydonia is commonly known as quince, and the fruits are pomes, as the species is closely related to apples, pears, and Japanese quince. Quince (Cydonia oblonga L.) is cultivated for fruit production and is also used as a rootstock for European pear (Pyrus communis L.). The genus Cydonia is monospecific, comprised of a single species, Cydonia oblonga, and thus, almost all genomic and breeding resources are to be found in existing wild populations and cultivar forms. The exceptions are artificial intergeneric hybrids with apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) and Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia [Burm. F.] Nakai). Inflorescences of apple × quince F2 progeny tend to have one blossom like Cydonia, but some have 2-3 blossoms. The hybrids tend to combine the traits of the two parental genera. Diploid, triploid, and tetraploid F2 progenies have been produced. They are thought to be valuable in breeding for increasing cold hardiness, presumably in a crop with more quince-like fruit. Pear × quince hybrids may have use as rootstocks for pear.