Pear I Pear is one of the superior temperate fruits having good taste and flavour.. In India, pear is largely grown for consumption as a fresh fruit. The cultivation of Patharakh pear has received a boost as a commercial crop in Northem India and acreage under this fruit cop has been steadily increasing because of its high yield potential and good eco- omic returns. The pear needs relatively less care due to its hardy nature which enables it to flourish well even on water-logged soils, where most other fruit trees fail to grow Itis also well known for its keeping quality and stands transportation well, Besides local consumption the Pathamakh fruit is transported to distant consuming centres like Bom- bay, Culcutta and Madras In the wake of serious problems like *Citrus decline’ in citrus fruits, ‘malformation’ and ‘alleriate bearing in mango’, pear is the only fruit which offers good prospects, as, itis relatively free of any such serious problems. This is one of the main reasons that Punjab fruit growers are switching on to pear cultivation on a large scale. Origin, History and Distributio Most of the pyrus species are native to the Northern Hemisphere of the Old World. No species of pears is indigenous to either North or South America or to the continent of Australia. European and West Asian species (Occidental Group) are native to Easter Europe and South Western Asia, including South Afghanisthan, Transcaucasia and Asia Minor. East and Northem Asian species (The Oriental Group) are native to Eastern Asia, including China, Japan and Manchuria, Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm F) Nakai, is the most Widely distributed of the Oriental pears, extending over the entire Central and Southern region of China, as well as in Formosa and Japan. The pear ( Pyrus pyrifolia (Burm F) Nakai) originated in China, where its culture dates back to 2500-3000 years. It may have been introduced into India from China during the time of Lord Kanishka (120-170- AD), who settled some Chinese hostages around village Harsa China by them, Its caltivation appears to have spread to other parts of Norther India from this place, but this is only a possibili Area and Production : In India, pear occupies the third place among temperate fruits both in area and Production The pear with its annual world production of about 6 million tons ‘stands "ext o apple amongst the temperate fruits.. Because of the wide range of its adaptabiltty ee: 353 per in size. Spines long, stout and Pointed. Leaf ‘margin finely serrated. It has deciduous tye and fruit shape like that of apple 4, Pyrus pashia Hamulton : Kainth This species is commonly used for raising of roolstock. Tres having upright habit of growth, 9 metre in height. Branches are thicker than poar. Leaves elliptical, margin seated, base and apex acute, $-7 em long, Spines present, long and pointed. Fruits about ke lone, sio-globone nod own, I is Somee Wi fic. Hininigpac it Nonthewe Chena $, Pyrus communis X Pyrus pyrifolia : Hybrid pear Trees medium in vigour and spreading. Leaves medium in size, 8-10 cm Tong, heart shaped, broader at the base and narrow towards the apex. upper surface glabrous, attractive greenish yellow-colour. Flowering and Fruiting : onslender pedicels, appearing with the first foliage, The flowering starts in the last week of February and continues upto third week of March, In common pear, the flowers are 4-12 in umbel-like clusters on slender pedicels, white, appearing with the leaves, calyx Tepaucit OF Farely deciduous, stemens 15-20. The fruit is borne on spurs. It is pollinated though insects, The pollen is highly viable. The pear cultivars grown in the plains of Northern India are self-ruihul or partially ‘iffruitful. Pathamakh which occupies about 90 per cent of the area under pear in the Fusab, usually give commercial crop when planted in solid blocks. The cultivars like ‘LeConte’, “Baggugosha’, ‘Smith’ and ‘Kieffer’ will give commercial crops, only when alleast two of these are planted together. Honey-bees usually prefer lowers of other ‘mall quantity of nectar which is low in ‘Sugar content. In orchards where heavier fruit-sct 'sdesited, two oF three colonies of bees per acre should be provided Fruit-setting in pear stars by end of March. The fruit is bore on spurs, The fruit ‘aches harvest maturity after 155 days of fruit-set, The fruit growth in terms of length and diameter shows three distinct phases and follows a pattern of “‘Sigmoid Curve". Climate Pear can be grown successfully in mid-hills at an elevation of 1,200 to 1,800 metres above sea level, where ‘mean maximum temperature of 15°C-25°C in winter and 20°-32°C mctmner and minimum temperature of 2-10°C in winter and 10-18°C during sum. "er prevail, An annual rainfall of 100-125 cm is considered adequate. The best fla- tan, tl Keeping quality in Bartlett pear develops in locations where summers are ‘ly hot and dry ‘i od34 : Parharakh pear is a very hardy wee and can be successfully grown in the sib tropical climate prevailing, in the Punjab State. The ‘submontane tract as well as the central part of the Saiz have been found to be quile suitable for its cultivation. It can sieo be guocessflly grown in the Bet area. Being deciduous 'n habit, it escapes damage ais ont However, cre must be taken to plant pear orchards in frost free locations. ree absence of rains during flowering period is one of the pre-requisites for the suc- Testu eulivation of pear. Rain at flowering not only washes 0) the pollen but also cessferes with the activity of pollinating insets, thus adversely affecting fruit-set. Arcas exposed to excessively hot winds during summer also have an adverse affect both on fruit and foliage. Site and Soil : site has a decisive influence on regular cropping. In plains the pear orchards should to save the fruit from bird damage be at a distance from Eucalyptus plantations so as ‘The site should be such from where excess of rain water should not stagnate for long, which may cause heavy mortalities. Pear should be grown on a land which is a8 slightly higher level than the surrounding area to reduce the chances of damage by frost. It can grow well on a wide variety of sols provided these are well drained The pear tre i hardy and can flourish even on rather inferior lands with relatively less care rea lerate water logged conditions to some extent, however, the areas frequented by floods and where the water stagnates for many days during the rainy season should never be selected for pear growing. The most desirable soil for pear is one which is of medium texture, deep, well drained and has a water table below 200 em around the year. It can row on soils aving pH upto 87, ifthe electrical conductivity ofthe sol is below 0-5 ‘mmbos/em Promising Varieties ‘A number of good varieties exist in pears. More important and promising ones are as follows : Patharmakh : It is a variety of Pyrus pyrifolia. This is the most popular variety because of heavy bearing and good keeping quality. The fruit is tough and firm and can stand transportation very well for long distances without any spoilage. The fruit is me~ i round and green in colour with prominent dots. The flesh is gritty, crisp and juicy tripens in the last week of July. It is a heavy yieldi with an ° Cee wvy yielding variety with an average yield of Baggugosha : It is a variety of Pyrus communis. - ee a upright and vigorous and has irregular bearing habit. It has small, greet a i ints with tapering stem-end, The flesh is sweet and somewhat gritty. Tt in August and has an average yield of 100 kg per tree. LeConte : ripen i is a hybrid between Pyrus communis X. Pyrus pyrifolia, LeConte eee ig low chilling requirement, Tree medium in growth, upright and become ly mature trees, Trees bear good crop, but are blight susceptible. Its Frasat full-bloom stage. To check spur breakage harve ppm of cael ee hooks should be avoided. The fruit mate ‘ ve a ile force towards the base of the spur by using the “ght hard and hog a spur with the left hand. Saving the spurs from breakage during fruit harvesting t regular fruiting throughout the life of the pear tree. . Harvesting and Handling of Fruits : Harvesting : Harvesting ofthe pear fruit at proper slage of maturity ig 5a portant. The entenia for maturity of pear fruits are change in extemal fut cow im. i Ur, decrease in firmness of the fruit flesh and increase in the total soluble solids (T'S) rd ‘The fruit of Patharakh pear reaches harvest maturity after 155 days of fruit The size and weight of the fruit continued to increase till harvest in AUBUSL. The colo Of the fruit changes to light yellow at the final stage of harvest-The optimum harvesting time of Pathamakh pear fruits in Punjab is from end of July to mid August : The fruit should be picked carefully without any bruises and injuries. Care shoulg bs exercised during picking so thatthe fruit bearing spurs do not Bet damaged. Once the spurs are broken or damaged, that will take long time to become fruit-bearing spurs bearing seasons. For distan,