ISHS Acta Horticulturae 367: VI International Symposium on Pear Growing
TRELLIS AND TRAINING SYSTEMS FOR BOSC AND COMICE PEARS IN SOUTHERN OREGON |
| Authors: | D. Sugar, P. Buskirk |
| Abstract:
'Golden Russett Bosc' pear trees on OHxF 333 rootstock and 'Comice' pears on Quince BA29C were planted at 2 x 5 m (1002 trees per ha) at the Southern Oregon Experiment Station in 1986 and 1987, respectively. The trees were trained to either the Tatura trellis, Lincoln canopy, as freestanding trees with laterals tied down or as freestanding trees trained by pruning only. Freestanding trees were trained with either a central leader or multiple leaders. Over the first eight years (seven for 'Comice'), the greatest yield and average number of fruit per tree were produced on trees trained in the Tatura trellis. Trees on the Tatura trellis also had the greatest average number of flower clusters per tree. Average fruit size was generally inversely related to yield. Fruit quality grade was highest on trellised trees. An experimental plot of Bosc pear trees trained and managed according to six different systems was planted in 1986, and an additional section of Comice pear trees was added in 1987. The plot is located at the Southern Oregon Experiment Station near Medford, on Central Point sandy loam soil. The Bosc trees are the 'Golden Russet Bosc' clone, on Old Home x Farmingdale 333 rootstock. The Comice trees are on Provence Quince BA-29 rootstock. All trees were planted at 5 x 2 meters (16.5 x 6.5 feet). Two rows of 35 trees of each cultivar were established using each of the following training systems: the Tatura trellis, the Lincoln canopy, freestanding trees trained by pruning only (central and multiple leader), and freestanding trees with leaders (if multiple) or laterals (if central) tied down to approximately 45 degrees. Through the eighth leaf for Bosc (1993), the heaviest bearing was on trees trained to the Tatura trellis, which cumulatively yielded more than 120 t/ha (Fig. 1). The heaviest bearing to date was in the seventh leaf, at approximately 45 t/ha. Lincoln canopy trees were second-heaviest in yield. In cumulative yield over the first seven years, trees on Lincoln canopy yielded approximately 100 t/ha. Tied-down trees yielded higher than freestanding trees over the eight years, and within each of these systems central leader trees yielded slightly more than multiple leader trees. | |
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