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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Kearneysville, West Virginia » Appalachian Fruit Research Laboratory » Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement, and Protection » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #160532
Title: FIELD PERFORMANCE OF FIRE BLIGHT TOLERANT PYRUS COMMUNIS SELECTINS IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Author
item REIGHARD, GREGORY - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
item OUELLETTE, DAVID - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
item BROCK, KATHY - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
item Bell, Richard

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/22/2004
Publication Date: 2/1/2004
Citation: Reighard, G., Ouellette, D., Brock, K., Bell, R.L. 2004. Field performance of fire blight tolerant pyrus communis selectins in south carolina. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Six pear cultivars and nine advanced P. communis selections having fireblight tolerance plus 'Bartlett' were planted in 1996 and 1997 near Clemson, South Carolina. Disease resistance, tree growth, phenology, precocity, fruit maturity and fruit weight and yield were evaluated through year 2003. Among cultivars and selections, almost all exhibited some leaf bronzing, necrosis and partial defoliation by mid-summer in 2001 and 2002. However, selection 78304-057, 'Harrow Sweet', and 'Honeysweet' had few or no leaf symptoms. 'Stark's Delicious' was the most vigorous cultivar followed by 'Potomac', 76128-009 and 'Harrow Delight'. Mean full bloom dates among P. communis cultivars and selections varied by 10 days with only 78304-057 blooming later (3 days) than Bartlett. Secondary or rattail flower production was common in most years for selections 76128-009, 66125-035, and 'Harrow Delight'. Cumulative fruit yields per tree were highest in 'Potomoc' (138 kg), 76128-009 (131 kg), 'Starking Delicious' (120 kg), and 78304-057 (111 kg). The lowest yielding cultivars or selections were 'Honeysweet', 'Harrow Sweet', and 66131-021 ('Blake's Pride'). Largest mean fruit weights were from NY10346 (285 g), 76115-010 (253 g), 'Bartlett' (242 g), and 67218-083 (233 g). Average fruit maturity date based on pressure readings among cultivars and selections varied by 38 days. 'Harrow Sweet' and NY10346 were the only 2 pears to ripen (~10 days) after 'Bartlett'. 'Harrow Delight', 66170-047, 71655-014, and 76115-010 ripened the earliest, ~ 4 weeks before 'Bartlett'. No cultivars or selections were significantly affected by fireblight through 2003.