Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities Asian Culture in Alabama ANR-1131 Origin and History a number of “old” European-type Fruit Types and Varieties found on rural home sites sian pears originated in Asian pears can be divided AChina and and have that seemingly have withstood into the Japanese varieties, which been grown in these countries fire blight problems and fruited have round fruits and are some- and certain other Asian nations quite well. what similar to an apple in size for at least 3,000 years. Records Hard pears, also called sand and shape, and Chinese varieties, indicate that Chinese immigrants pears, are grown extensively which produce fruit that is more introduced Asian pears to the across the state and are much pear-shaped (pyriform) like the west coast of the United States more tolerant of fire blight than European varieties. Most of the during the 1800s. The greatest European pears are. Most varieties varieties showing promise in concentration of current commer- of hard pears, such as Orient, Alabama are of Japanese origin. cial production is in California Kieffer, and Garber, are generally Japanese varieties can be catego- and Oregon. Asian pears are considered crosses of European rized on the basis of their skin often referred to as apple-pears and Pyrus serotina, a Japanese texture, which is either smooth or because of their crisp and juicy pear. Flesh of these selections russeted. Skins of smooth-skinned varieties range in color from texture and applelike flavor. varies from extremely hard to green to greenish yellow, and However, Asian pears are not very firm, with varying levels of russet-skinned varieties range crosses between apples and grittiness. They are mainly used as processing fruits, although with from brownish green to brown pears. They are primarily selec- or copper (Figure 1). tions derived from Pyrus proper storage, some may be ussuriensis (Ussuri pear) and consumed fresh. Pyrus serotina (Japanese sand pear, formerly Pyrus pyrifolia) or complex hybrids of the two species. Asian pears differ geneti- cally from European pears () and the southern hard pears. In Alabama, European pears are grown to a very limited degree because of their high susceptibility to fire blight, which is a bacterial disease caused by Erwinia amylovora. Some producers in northern counties haveARCHIVE had limited success growing more recent European-type pears including Harvest Queen, Harrow Delight, Warren, and Moonglow. Gener­ally, the most successful of these plantings are located on high elevation sites and receive Figure 1. The two types of fruit skin texture and color of Japanese origin (apple- little to no fertilizer. Studies are shaped fruits) are shown above. Left, 20th Century has yellow, smooth skin; right, under way in the state to evaluate Housi has golden-brown, russet skin. www.aces.edu Another difference between Kumoi, Megeitsu, Niitaka, have the best flavor of all varieties Asian and European pears is that Okusankichi, Seigyoku, Seuri, tested thus far. However, Housi fruit of European selections are Shinko, Shin Li (12-43UC), requires special treatment to mini- harvested and ripened off the tree Shinseiki, 20th Century mize fire blight problems; during storage, while Asian pears (Nijiseiki), and Ya Li. Table 1 lists otherwise, growers will be sorely are allowed to ripen on the tree the characteristics of a number of disappointed because of potential before they are harvested. A ripe these varieties. branch or tree loss. This variety is European pear has a soft, melting Shin Li and Daisu Li are selec- naturally vigorous, so nitrogen texture and creamy flesh, while tions from California. Ya Li is the application may need to range Asian pear fruits are very firm, only Chinese-type Asian pear in from little to none (depending on crisp, juicy, and sweet (low acid). these studies. To date, evaluations soil fertility), and excessive Alabama A&M University and are fairly clear on several matters pruning should be avoided to Auburn University have involving varieties but still have minimize fire blight damage. Thus conducted variety evaluations of not provided all the answers far, Shinko has been less subject Asian pears. Applied research as needed for making solid recom- to severe fire blight damage, well as grower variety demon- mendations for commercial perhaps due in part to its less- stration studies have been production. Seuri and Ya Li flower vigorous, spur-type growth habit. conducted by Auburn University too early for consistent production Other varieties that may prove fruit specialists, county Extension in northern and central Alabama suitable for commercial and/or agents, and commercial counties because of damage from home plantings include Shinseiki, producers. Most of these evalua- freezes. Ya Li also has poor fruit Doitsu, Megeitsu, and Chojuro. tions have been made during the quality (flavor). Among the vari- Some evaluations indicate that last 5 to 10 years. During this eties that have been evaluated in Doitsu could prove to be a prom- period, a number of commercial research trials and grower - ising variety because the fruit have fruit producers have also made ings over the past 5 to 10 years, so an ideal balance of and acid personal evaluations of a number far only a few have proved valu- and are not too sweet. Grower of varieties established in able for commercial use. Housi evaluations of two other varieties, orchards. The varieties that have and Shinko are recommended for Ichiban Nashi and Korean Giant been under evaluation for the commercial and home use. Both (A-Ri-Rang), have been promising. past several years at one or more varieties produce large, attractive, Ichiban Nashi (referred to as Early locations include Chojuro, Daisu and flavorful fruit with 12 to 14 Asian by some producers) is the Li (12-44UC), Doitsu, Erishinge, percent soluble solids (sugar). earliest-ripening Asian pear avail- Housi, Ishiwase, Kikusui, Kosui, Housi is considered by many to able and has good flavor. Its origin is unknown. During the most Table 1. Characteristics of Asian Pear Varieties1 recent grower evaluations, it now appears that Ichiban Nashi may be Harvest 2 3 too susceptible to fire blight for Variety Skin Type Season Fruit Size long-term commercial success. Ichiban Nashi smooth, greenish yellow very early medium Korean Giant (also known as Kosui russet, brown early small to medium Olympic Giant or Starking Hardy Shinseiki smooth, greenish yellow early/mid medium to large Giant) appears outstanding, with Housi russet, brown early/mid large Doitsu smooth, green mid medium to large extremely large fruit and 14.5 Seuri mostly smooth, green mid small to medium percent soluble solids. It ripens Shinko some russet, brownish green mid large very late (mid- to late September), Chojuro russet, brown mid large after other selections are well past Erishinge smooth, green mid small to medium harvest, has an excellent flavor, Ya Li smooth, green mid small to medium and stores well for at least 3 to 4 20th Century smooth, green mid small months. Although not tested in Megeitsu some russet,ARCHIVE brownish green mid/late medium this area, Tsu-Li has been shown Kikusui smooth, green mid/late small to medium to be very fire blight resistant in Korean Giant some russet, greenish yellow late very large other regions. 1These varieties have been evaluated in research studies or grower trials in Alabama. All are the Japanese type (apple-shaped) except Ya Li, which is the typical pear-shaped In summary, it appears that Chinese type. Shinko and Korean Giant may be 2Observations in extreme south Alabama indicate that some of the smooth-skinned vari- the two most promising varieties eties may develop a partial russetlike finish in some years. for commercial or home plantings 3Harvest season usually begins in mid-July in extreme south Alabama and ends in mid- because of their higher level of September in northern counties. fire blight resistance, good tree

2 characteristics, yielding ability, and 850-hour range, with some having Mature trees will yield at least 5 to quality fruit. Housi should lower. For example, Housi can 10 bushels per tree. certainly be included in commer- grow and fruit reasonably well cial and home orchards, but with 550 to 650 chilling hours, Training/Pruning special attention must be given to while Shinko tolerates lower The training/pruning program managing fire blight. Because the chilling, although it actually for Asian pears is similar to that variety picture is dynamic and requires at least 800 or more hours for European pears. Although they continually being evaluated, for best performance. Close obser- can be trellised, Asian pears do growers can expect additional vations in research studies and best as free-standing trees because changes in the future as Asian commercial grower plantings indi- of their vigor and ultimate size on pears become part of the Alabama cate that locations within 5 to 10 P. calleryana rootstock. Because fruit scene. miles of the shores of Mobile Bay of fire blight, using a modified- do not receive adequate chilling in leader, multiple-scaffold (4- to Rootstocks some years for optimum fruiting 6-branch) tree form is probably and overall tree performance. Four different rootstocks for more sensible than using single- trunk, central-leader training, Asian pear have been evaluated at Fire Blight Susceptibility Alabama A&M University. They although both will work. Some include European pear (Pyrus Asian pear varieties vary in training of scaffold branches, communis) and three Asian pears their susceptibility to fire blight, much like that practiced with (Pyrus betulaefolia, Pyrus call- but observations to date indicate apples, is desirable in attaining eryana, and ). that most are as susceptible as ideal tree form. Branch spreaders, Because it imparts greater fire apples, such as Golden Delicious, weights, or other training aids can blight resistance to varieties but are somewhat less susceptible be used to spread branches to budded onto it, in addition to than European pears are. Fire wider angles and a desirable other desirable characteristics, blight sprays (such as streptomycin growth habit (Figure 2). Growers is the preferred or copper) must be used annually are encouraged to also try open- rootstock for Asian pears grown in during bloom on both commercial center training as is used for the Southeast. This is the same and home plantings. Most growers peaches (Figure 3). This form of rootstock used for hard pears and have used minimal additional training may prove to be one of European selections grown in the sprays for insect, mite, and disease the best for Asian pears. Because Southeast. Many nurseries typically control, and only time will tell the trunk area of Asian pears is so graft Asian pears onto other pear how much more intensive cover easily infected by fire blight, rootstocks such as OH x F selec- sprays will have to become to growers should make every effort tions, Quince, Pyrus communis, handle problems as they develop. to keep all growth, and Pyrus betulaefolia. These In commercial plantings, a spray including spurs, removed from the rootstocks are not recommended program similar to that used on trunk. More mature Asian pear for Alabama. European-type pear or apple trees are shown at dormancy in orchards will most likely be Figure 4 and at harvest season in needed, but hopefully not as many Figure 5. General Culture sprays will be required. Chilling Requirements/ Fertility Program Hardiness Fruiting/Tree Spacing Fertilization is suggested In general, Asian pears can be Asian pear trees easily begin during the first 2 or 3 years to grown using the same type of bearing in the third or fourth develop the desired tree structure. cultural program as that used for growing season, although some Applying 1⁄2 pound per tree of a European pears. Trees are quite may require another year or so, fertilizer such as 13-13-13 in winter hardy and have somewhat and are producing several bushels March of the year following estab- lower chilling requirementsARCHIVE than per tree by the sixth growing lishment, plus 3⁄4 to 1 pound of most European varieties do. season. Most varieties need to be the same fertilizer in early However, additional work is spaced a minimum of 10 to 15 summer, should be adequate for needed to determine more feet in the row, with rows spaced the first season. The same type precisely the chilling requirements 16 to 20 feet apart. The closer fertilization can be used during of varieties at temperatures of 45 spacings (such as 9 by 16) as the second season, using no more degrees F and lower. It appears practiced in some western states than 1 pound per tree at each of that many varieties have chilling appear to be somewhat too close the two applications. However, requirements in the 750- to for southeastern conditions. once trees begin fruiting, only

3 Figure 2. These three year Asian pear trees show the Figure 3. This third year peach tree shows the open center central-leader form of training, a method also used for or vase structural training form (as used for stone fruits). This apple trees. Notice the limb spreaders being used. method also works well with Asian pear trees. Because of fire blight, the open center form of training is generally best for Asian pears, although the central leader form may be okay for blight-resistant varieties. very moderate amounts of fertil- allow for optimum fruit size and Pollination/Fruitfulness izer should be used. This may quality, for consistent annual crop- Many Asian pear varieties are involve from none up to 30 ping, and to prevent limb considered partially self-fruitful, pounds of nitrogen per acre per breakage. Because ideal chemical meaning that they can produce up year, depending on tree vigor, thinning has not been developed, to a 15 percent crop from self- cropping, and previous history. it is usually best to hand-thin fruits pollination, but it is always best to Trees in home plantings should to one per cluster or one every 4 3 plant at least two varieties to be fertilized to a minimum also. to 6 inches when they are ⁄4 to 1 ensure cross-pollination and full Depending on the tree vigor, crop inch in diameter and after the cropping potential. Ya Li is the load, and soil fertility, large freeze period has passed. earliest variety to bloom, followed bearing trees may only need from Observations to date indicate that closely by Seuri and Niitaka. To none to 2 pounds per tree of most Asian pear varieties tend to date, Seuri has been able to polli- 13-13-13 applied in late winter bear crops on an annual basis nate Ya Li, resulting in at least each year. rather than biennially, as is true for moderate crops. The latest-flow- ARCHIVEsome apple and pear varieties. ering variety is Okusankichi, with Fruit Thinning However, good fruit thinning, as Kumori next to latest. Housi, 20th Asian pears are similar to needed, is essential to good Century, and apparently a number other pome fruits such as apples annual cropping. Observations of the other varieties, are self- and pears in that excessive crops also indicate that Shinko, Kikusui, incompatible and will always need are often set (unless late freezes and 20th Century require fruit pollinizers. Niitaka and Seigyoku thin the flowers or fruits). thinning (unless thinned by have sterile pollen and cannot be Therefore, it may be necessary to freezes) to prevent trees from used as pollinizers. Shinseiki is a thin small fruits some years to runting out (becoming dwarfish good pollinizer for a number of with poor growth).

4 Figure 4. Fourth year ‘Shinko’ Asian pear showing central Figure 5. Fifth year Asian pear at harvest showing tree leader development. structure (central leader). varieties (except Seigyoku) and has been susceptible to bruising and discol- Marketing the limited supplies reasonably self-fruitful. It blooms oration. Over­ripe fruits are of Asian pears now being midseason. Some varieties are not cross- especially sensitive to damage, so produced in the state through fruitful with other varieties, such as the do not delay harvest. roadside retail farm markets has Shinseiki/Seigyoku combination just Fruits can easily be stored in been only partially successful and noted. Housi and Shinko are good conventional refrigeration at 32 to reflects the somewhat slow accep- pollinizers and work well together. 35 degrees F (optimum tempera- tance of this fruit by consumers in Korean Giant appears to be a good ture is about 32 degrees F) and 90 the Southeast. One of the prob- pollinizer for most varieties. Flowering to 95 percent relative humidity for lems confronting this fruit is that it time for most Asian pears is slightly after 1 to 3 months (longer for some ripens when some of the finest- peaches and before apples, but it varies varieties). However, most fruits are flavored peaches are available, and from year to year. sold fresh and stored for only the peach is usually favored by short periods. As a general rule, most of the public. However, Harvesting and Marketing the later a variety ripens, the Asian Americans in general are longer it will store. Fruits usually strong purchasers of Asian pears. The ripening period for Asian pears keep for 1 to 3 weeks at room Hopefully, consumers will eventu- begins in mid-July in southernARCHIVE counties ally find the Asian pears to be as temperature before turning soft or and can last through early to mid- spongy. One of the harvest season desirable as peaches and early September in northern counties. Fruits problems growers have experi- apples being marketed during the are harvested as they become ripe on the enced is that winds and rain easily same time frame. Asian pears tree (ready for immediate consumption). dislodge fruits from trees when certainly afford the consumer Asian pears should be harvested gently they are ripe, creating possible greater variety. In spite of the because they have a tender skin that is crop loss. Depredation by birds commercial problems, the Asian can also be a problem. pear clearly gives the home producer a fine alternative crop.

5 Summary Adwinckle, H.S. and S.V. Beer. 1979. Larsen, F.E. and S.S. Higgins. 1989. Fire Blight and its Control. In: Scion/Rootstock Influence on Bloom Date Asian pear now appears to be Horticultural Reviews Volume 1, Ed. Jules and Early Fruit Production of Asian Pears an alternative fruit that can be Janick, AVI Publishing, Westport CT, pp in Washington State. Fruit Varieties Journal grown successfully across most of 423-474. 43:114-119. Alabama except the extreme southern counties. Some problems Beutel, J.A. 1984. Asian pears. Larsen, F.E. and S.S. Higgins, M.E. remain to be solved before a Proceedings of the 1984 Oregon Patterson, V.K. Jandhyala and W. Nichols. completely satisfactory cultural Horticultural Society 75:5-13. 1993. Quality, maturity and storage of program can be developed, but Beyl, C.A. 1988. Fire blight update for Asian pears grown in central Washington. the potential for the crop is prom- 1988 in a young Asian pear planting. Ala. J. Prod. Agric. 6(2):247-252. ising. Among the major obstacles Fruit and Vegetable Growers Assn. 9:45- Larsen, F.E. and S.S. Higgins, M.E. to successful production of Asian 47. Patterson, V.K. Jandhyala and W. Nichols. pears are: developing cultural Beyl, C.A. 1990. Time of bloom— 1993. Quality, maturity and storage of programs to minimize fire blight another threat to successful Asian pear Asian pears grown in central Washington. and crop loss from late freezes; production in the Southeast. Ala. Fruit and J. Prod. Agric. 6(2):161-162. developing ideal variety combina- Vegetable Growers Assn. 11:94-100. Reid, B.O. 1991. Discover the appeal tions for each area of the state Beyl, C.A. 1992. Challenges to of these Oriental fruits. Horticulture. (cropping can be poor in extreme successful Asian pear production in the August/September 69-78. Reich, L. 1991. south Alabama in low chilling Southeast. Ala. Fruit and Vegetable Asian pear: the crunch pear; In: years); developing a strategy to Growers Assn. 13:31-35. Uncommon fruits worthy of attention, a lessen problems of premature fruit Beyl, C.A. 1993. Optimizing chance gardener’s guide. p 197-207. Addison- droppage; and enhancing the for success with Asian pears. Ala. Fruit Wesley Publishing Company, Inc. market acceptance of this fruit. and Vegetable Growers Assn. 14:57-65. Sikora, E. and J.R. McVay. 1997. Caylor, A.W., W.A. Dozier, Jr., C.A. Home Fruit Spray Guide. Alabama References Beyl, M.H. Hollingsworth, J.A. Pitts, K.C. Cooperative Extension System, Alabama Short and N.R. McDaniel. 1991. A&M and Auburn Universities. Publication The authors gratefully ANR-50. acknowledge the use of infor- Performance of Asian pears in north, mation from the following central and south Alabama. Alabama Fruit Wilton, J. 1983. Asian Pear Series No. references in the preparation of and Vegetable Growers Assn. 12:98-105. 2. New Zealand Apple and Pear Marketing this publication. Griggs, W.H. and B.T. Iwakiri. 1977. Board Technical Bulletin. Asian pear varieties in California. Division of Agricultural Sciences, University of California Sale Publication 4068.

ARCHIVEArlie A. Powell, Extension State Program Leader, Associate Dean, College of Agriculture, and Robert C. Ebel, Associate Professor, Horticulture, both at Auburn University; and David G. Himelrick, former Extension Horticulturist For more information, call your county Extension office. Look in your telephone direc- tory under your county’s name to find the number. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, reli- ANR-1131 gion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. UPS, 3M37, Reprinted March 2002, ANR-1131