Fire Blight Resistant Pears in the South

Abstract

New blight resistant pears could become the leading tree fruits of the South. These new varieties, producing quality fruit, were developed in over 30 years of breeding by a number of Experiment Stations. Fire blight, a bacterial disease found on native crabapple, has prevented quality pears from being grown in much of eastern and southern United States. Yet pears are adapted to the climate of this region. Millions of boys and girls rarely taste pears because fruit imported from the Pacific Coast is so expensive. Two or three trees in your yard will produce a lot of pears for you, your family and friends.