Pear varieties in organic production (BIOFRUITNET Practice Abstract)

Summary

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.