Asian Pear Culture in Alabama
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Alabama A&M AND AUBURN UNIVERSITIES Asian Pear Culture in Alabama ANR-1131 Origin and History a number of “old” European-type Fruit Types and Varieties pears found on rural home sites sian pears originated in Asian pears can be divided AChina and Japan 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 (Pyrus communis) 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. Gener ally, 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 plant- ising variety because the fruit have fruit producers have also made ings over the past 5 to 10 years, so an ideal balance of sugar 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 Pyrus ussuriensis). 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.