Abstract: A field experiment was carried out to study the effects of balanced fertilization on growth and development, yield, fruit quality and mineral content in ‘Huang-guan’ pear to provide a theoretical basis for the reasonable level of fertilization in pear orchards. Four treatments were arranged with 12-year old ‘Huang-guan’ pear trees from the same orchard: conventional fertilization (CK), low levels of N, P₂O₅ and high level of S (T₁), medium levels of N, P₂O₅ and S (T₂), high levels of N, P₂O₅ and low level of S (T₃). The results showed that different treatments had little effect on the growth and development of current-year branch and leaves in the first year. However, in the se-cond year, T₁ treatment promoted the length and diameter of current-year branch by 16.2% and 11.4%, respectively. Continuous fertilization could increase the leaf mineral contents in different degrees. The contents of Cu, Fe, and Zn in leaves under T₁ treatment, Mg and B in leaves under T₂ treatment, and P and Mn in leaves under T₃ treatment were highest. Different fertilization levels had no significant effect on yield but on fruit quality. The contents of soluble sugars and vitamin C (Vc) were significantly increased by T₂ treatment, which was 4.2% and 7.1% higher than those in CK. However, T₁ significantly decreased contents of total soluble solid, soluble sugars and Vc, while highest organic acid content presented in T₃. Fruit Fe content was positively correlated with soluble sugar content and fruit shape index, but was negatively correlated with single fruit mass, organic acids and Vc. Fruit P content was positively correlated with fruit shape index and firmness, but was negatively correlated with contents of soluble sugars, organic acids and Vc. Accordingly, T₂ could improve fruit quality and maintain the productivity, and thus should be the suitable fertilization strategy for the ‘Huang-guan’ pear management in desert area.