In Europe, the largest area of pome fruit consists of apple cultivation. Pear is a minor crop, but economically important, and its production is more difficult compared to apple. Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy are the main producers of organic pear. Currently, a lot of pear varieties are not adapted for organic cultivation.
Solution
Knowledge exchange on the management of different pear varieties is important for the further development of organic pear production. In addition, specific varieties should be developed for organic cultivation. Research on pear varieties and their suitability for organic cultivation will offer more possibilities for organic pear growing.
Description
Pear varieties better suited for organic fruit growing lead to an improved yield and quality of organic pears.
Practical recommendation
• The most commonly grown pear varieties in organic orchards across Europe are Conference and Williams, followed by Xenia, Guyot, Kaiser Alexander, Beurre Alexander Lucas, and Forelle. See table 1.
• Some varieties are specific for a country like Guyot in France, and Abate Fetel in Italy.
• Some varieties are named differently across countries like Beurré Bosc (FR)/Bosc Flaschenbirne (DE)/Bosc Kaiser Alexander (IT) and Doyenné Du Comice (NL, BE)/Vereinsdechants (DE).
• The most important criteria to be considered when planting or breeding a new variety for organic production are pest and disease susceptibility, fruit quality, regular production, storability of the fruits, and tolerance of the tree to variable climate conditions.
• New varieties that could be interesting are: Celina - QTee® (club variety), Cepuna - Migo® (club variety), Talgar Beauty (Talgarskaya Krasavitsa), Gerburg, Thimo - Queens’s Forelle® - Saxonia® Thimo, Xenia® – Novembra – Oksana - Nojabrskaja, CH201 – Fred® (club variety).
• New varieties should be tested under organic conditions.
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