ISHS Acta Horticulturae 367: VI International Symposium on Pear Growing
PEAR TRAINING TO MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY |
| Authors: | Eugene A. Mielke, C. Seavert |
| Abstract:
In 1987 a system trial was established to determine the effect of the Tatura and Lincoln Canopy Trellis systems on the production and profitability of d'Anjou and Bartlett pears. A four leader training system was utilized as the control. Each system included three in (1.8, 2.4 and 3.0 m) (6, 8, and 10 ft), three between row spacings (4.3, 4.9 and 5.5 m) (14, 16, and 18 ft) (only the 4.3 m [14 ft] spacing was used for the Lincoln Canopy), and three rootstocks. In 1992 the Tatura training system continued to provide the greatest production of d'Anjou pears, with the four leader control close behind (Figure 1), after showing a dramatic yield increase from 1991 to 1992. The Lincoln Canopy training system produced approximately 25% less than did the four leader training system. With Bartlett, a different picture was seen. The Lincoln Canopy training system produced the largest crop (about 75% more than the four leader), with the Tatura trellis approximately half way between the other two systems. With respect to cumulative yields for the 6-year-old planting, the Tatura training system was the most productive for both cultivars (Figure 2). Tatura system cumulative yields were approximately 25% greater than the four leader system for d'Anjou and 40% greater for Bartlett. With d'Anjou the Lincoln Canopy system produced 45% less than the four leader system. With Bartlett, the Lincoln Canopy produced approximately 15% more than the four leader system and approximately 20% less than the Tatura system. There are a large number of interactions which exist between training system, in-row and between-row spacing, rootstock, and cultivar. It would take too much space to discuss all the interactions at this time. Generally the OHxF 97 and OHxF 282 rootstocks were the most productive for the four leader and the Tatura systems, while seedling Bartlett provided the greatest production for the Lincoln Canopy. It is not possible to make any generalized statements regarding spacings due to the many interactions with rootstock. The main effect of training system and rootstock on fruit size is shown in Figure 3 (d'Anjou) and Figure 4 (Bartlett). D'Anjou fruit size was largest with OHxF 97 rootstocks. The greater fruit size with the Lincoln Canopy training system was at least partly due to its lower crop load; however, no correlation existed between crop load and fruit size. These patterns are very similar to those found in previous years. The pattern for Bartlett was basically similar to that for d'Anjou. The similarity in fruit size between the training systems was different from 1991, when fruit size from the four leader training system was significantly smaller than from the other two systems. Fruit from all the different rootstocks and spacings within the four leader and Tatura training systems was combined and processed through a packing house in an attempt to determine the effect on fruit size and grade. Training system had no effect on | |
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