A New Program at the Harrow Research Station to Develop Dwarfing Pear Rootstocks

Abstract

New and improved rootstocks are needed for Canadian pear orchards. 'Bartlett' seedlings are mainly used for rootstock purposes now because of their availability and ease of propagation. In general, they produce trees which are adapted to a wide range of soils, are resistant to low soil temperatures and are resistant to pear decline. The major disadvantage of Bartlett seedling rootstocks is that they produce vigorous trees which are late to come into fruiting. Quince rootstocks which control tree size and induce early fruiting are not commonly grown in Canadian orchards because they are susceptible to winter injury and they are incompatible with many scion varieties.