The 'Maria' pear is a winter variety developed in Ukraine through the crossbreeding of the 'Bere Garde' and 'Lesnaya Krasavitsa' varieties. The tree is medium-sized, reaching a height of up to 4 meters, with a compact pyramidal crown of medium density that gradually becomes wide-pyramidal. The plant is distinguished by early fruiting—already by the 3rd–4th year after planting. The root system is well-developed, ensuring drought resistance, while late blooming in early May helps avoid damage to flowers from spring frosts. The rootstock is quince, which promotes high compatibility and disease resistance. The 'Maria' pear fruits are large, uniform, pear-shaped or slightly elongated, with smooth, glossy skin of medium thickness. At the stage of picking maturity, they have a light green or yellowish-green color, which turns golden-yellow with a carmine blush on the sunny side during storage. The average fruit weight ranges from 220 to 350 grams, sometimes reaching 400 grams. The flesh is creamy, juicy, and oily with a tender, fine-grained texture. The taste is harmonious, sweet-and-sour, with pronounced aroma and high sugar, organic acid, and vitamin content. The variety is distinguished by high yield, resistance to major diseases such as scab and powdery mildew, as well as leaf resistance to thermal burn and frost hardiness. The pear adapts well to various soil types, preferring fertile and well-drained areas. To maintain tree health, regular watering is required during the active growth and fruiting periods, while avoiding water stagnation. The fruits ripen at the end of September–early October and are intended for long-term storage at temperatures from 0 to +2°C and humidity around 90%, which allows them to be kept until February, and with refrigeration until May, maintaining taste quality and commercial appearance. The main pollinators for this variety include varieties such as Grand Champion, Dessertnaya, Jeanne d'Arc, and others.
