Grafting Success and Early Performance of Asian Pears on Pyrus CalleryanaRootstock

Abstract

Grafting success of 14 Asian pear cultivars on Pyrus calleryanaand early performance of these cultivars after 2 growing seasons are reported. Percentage survival was 100% for ‘Chojuro,’ ‘Japanese Golden Russet,’ ‘Kikusui,’ ‘Seuri,’ ‘Shinseiho,’ ‘20th Century,’ ‘Yakumo’ and ‘Tsu-Li.’ ‘Erishinge,’ ‘Hosui,’ ‘Seigyoku’ and ‘Pai-Li’ had 75% survivals on P. calleryanarootstock ‘Shinseiki’ and ‘Ya-Li’ had poor survival attributed to poor grafts, since no incompatibility symptoms were observed. Very early budbreak was observed in ‘Korean Giant,’ ‘Seuri,’ ‘Pai-Li’ and ‘Tsu-Li’ followed by ‘Hosui,’ ‘Japanese Golden Russet’ and ‘Kikusui.’ ‘Erishinge,’ ‘Seigyku,’ ‘Shinseiho’ and ‘20th Centuiy’ were late blooming. ‘Chojuro’ was identified as a vigorous cultivar. Scion and rootstock caliper did not differ at the end of the second growing season. All trees of ‘Chojuro’ and ‘Seigyoku’ were infected with fire blight. ‘Erishinge,’ ‘Kikusui’ and ‘Seuri’ did not exhibit fire blight symptoms.