BackgroundPyrus ussuriensis(Maxim.) is a unique pear tree that grows in northern China. The tree has strong cold resistance and can withstand low temperatures from −30 °C to −35 °C. Due to its unique growth environment, its fruit is rich in minerals and has much higher levels of minerals such as K, Ca and Mg than the fruit ofPyrus pyrifolia(Nakai.) andPyrus bretschneideri(Rehd.) on the market, and many say the ripe fruit tastes better than other varieties. A comprehensive analysis of the characteristics of mineral elements in the fruits of different varieties ofP. ussuriensiswill provide a valuable scientific basis for the selection, breeding and production of consumer varieties ofP. ussuriensis, and provide a more complete understanding of nutritional differences between fruit varieties.MethodsIn this study, 70 varieties of wild, domesticated and cultivated species ofP. ussuriensisfrom different geographical locations were compared. Targeting four main mineral elements and eight trace mineral elements contained in the fruit, the differences in mineral content in the peel and pulp of different varieties ofP. ussuriensiswere analyzed, compared and classified using modern microwave digestion ICP-MS.ResultsThe mineral elements in the fruit ofP. ussuriensisgenerally followed the following content pattern: K > P > Ca > Mg > Na > Al > Fe > Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd. The mineral element compositions in the peel and pulp of different fruits were also significantly different. The four main mineral elements in the peel were K > Ca > P > Mg, and K > P > Mg > Ca in the pulp. The mineral element content of wild fruit varieties was higher than that of cultivated and domesticated varieties. Correlation analysis results showed that there was a significant positive correlation between K, P and Cu in both the peel and pulp ofP. ussuriensisfruit (P< 0. 01). Cluster analysis results showed that the 70 varieties ofP. ussuriensiscould be divided into three slightly different categories according to the content of the peel or pulp. According to the contents of the fruit peel, these varieties were divided into: (1) varieties with high Na, Mg, P, K, Fe and Zn content, (2) varieties with high Ca content and (3) varieties with medium levels of mineral elements. According to the fruit pulp content, these varieties were divided into: (1) varieties with high Mg, P and K content, (2) varieties with low mineral element content, and (3) varieties with high Na and Ca content. The comprehensive analysis of relevant mineral element content factors showed that ‘SSHMSL,’ ‘QYL,’ ‘SWSL’ and ‘ZLTSL-3’ were the best varieties, and could be used as the focus varieties of future breeding programs for large-scale pear production.