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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 #304246

Title: 'Gem': a new pear cultivar from the USDA pear breeding program

Author
item Bell, Richard
item CASTAGNOLI, STEVE - Oregon State University
item EINHORN, TODD - Oregon State University
item TURNER, JANET - Oregon State University
item SPOTTS, ROBERT - Oregon State University
item MOULTON, GARY - Washington State University
item REIGHARD, GREGORY - Clemson University
item SHANE, WILLIAM - Michigan State University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/24/2014
Publication Date: 7/14/2014
Citation: Bell, R.L., Castagnoli, S., Einhorn, T., Turner, J.D., Spotts, R., Moulton, G.A., Reighard, G.L., Shane, W.W. 2014. 'Gem': a new pear cultivar from the USDA pear breeding program [abstract]. International Pear Symposium, Program and Abstracts. p. 49.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: ‘Gem’ is a new cultivar which combines excellent appearance, fruit quality, and long storage potential with precocious and high yields. Fruit color is a light green when mature and frequently has a red blush on the sun-exposed side. It can be eaten immediately after harvest and after storage without softening, due to a crisp, juicy texture; in this condition, the flavor will be sweet. The fruit will also soften to a melting texture if stored for two months in common air refrigeration after which it will develop a lightly aromatic flavor. Harvest maturity begins eight days after ‘Bartlett’ but can be harvested over a three-week period without loss of storability up to five months. Trees on OHxF 97 rootstock at Hood River, Oregon, have flowered and fruited as early as two years after planting with early yield, five-year cumulative yields, and yield efficiency greater than ‘Beurré d’Anjou’. Fruit size on un-thinned trees averaged 150g, but thinning and delayed harvest increased fruit size to 259 g. At Kearneysville, West Virginia, resistance to epiphytotic fire blight resistance was moderate, but resistance to artificial shoot infection was high. ‘Gem’ was jointly released by the United States Department of Agriculture, Oregon State University, Michigan State University, and Clemson University.