ISHS Acta Horticulturae 367: VI International Symposium on Pear Growing
PEAR PRODUCTION IN WASHINGTON STATE: A SYSTEM OVERVIEW. |
| Author: | M. J. Willett |
| Keywords: | IPM, rootstocks, varieties, economics |
| Abstract:
Washington State has over 2,000 farms with more than 10,000 hectares devoted to pear production. In some areas of the state, ‘Bartlett’ (Williams) orchards were planted almost 100 years ago. Certain of these have been in continuous production since that time. Pear production in Washington State is intended for both fresh and processing markets with the relative importance of each market varying by district. The Yakima district, with approximately 4400 hectares of pears, primarily grows the ‘Bartlett’ cultivar for processing markets. The districts to the west and north of Wenatchee grow about 4,000 hectares of pears, of which about 60% are ‘D'Anjou’ destined for fresh markets. As with many other fruit crops, Washington growers are planting pears at higher densities using appropriate training systems. A major barrier to early success in these more intensive orchards is the lack of a truly precocious dwarfing rootstock which is sufficiently cold hardy given the range of winter temperatures encountered in eastern Washington. Perennially, Washington pear growers face significant challenges in the management of pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyricola (Foerster)), plant-feeding spidermites (Tetranychus urticae (Koch)), codling moth (Cydia pomonella (L.)), San Jose scale (Quadraspidistus perniciosus (Comstock)) and mealybug (Pseudococcus maritimus (Ehrohom)). Managing pesticide use to avoid the development of resistance in these pests has been and is a key part of Washington's pest management program on pears. The bacterial disease fireblight (Euvinia amylovora (Burril) Winslow et al.) is present at low to moderate infection levels nearly every year and has been devastatingly severe in recent years. Research and extension efforts have increased in recent years to gain a better understanding of fireblight disease epidemiology and prevention. | |
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