ISHS Acta Horticulturae 367: VI International Symposium on Pear Growing
PERFORMANCE OF MICROPROPAGATED PEAR TREES |
| Author: | S. Sansavini |
| Abstract:
The present paper reports the results of pear trials begun at Bologna in 1979 and observations and notes from the past five years in Italy. At equal plant age, micropropagated trees are generally so much more vigorous than quince-budded ones (>20–40%) that it is impossible to employ the same orchard architecture. The former need a more expansive, taller canopy and lower planting densities. There is too a marked diversity of growth habit among genotypes. Initial cropping in self-rooted trees is lower than in quince-budded trees but can be earlier than in seedling-grafted ones. At equal growth habit, we have not detected appreciable differences in fruit quality (e.g. weight, ripening date). Several orchards of micropropagated pear have exhibited morphological branch rejuvenation (e.g. erect habit, thorniness) that is semmingly linked to epigenetic variations, including hormonal inertia and excessive number of subcultures in vitro. Micropropagated pears can help to resolve problems in sub-lime or temporary water-logged soil or for varietal incompatibility with quince. | |
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