Evaluation of pear rootstocks in an orchard

This study was conducted in the Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology in Holovousy in order to test some new pear rootstocks under the conditions of the Czech Republic. In a rootstock trial planted in spring 1996 five clonal rootstocks (OH × F 69, OH × F 87, OH × F 230, OH × F 333 and standard Quince BA-29) were compared with Red Barttlet, Conference and Lucas as test cultivars. In comparison with Red Barttlet, the cumulative yield per tree from 1996 to 2002 was the highest on OH × F 69 and the lowest on OH × F 333. The yield efficiency (kg/cm2) was best on BA-29. The cultivar Conference had the highest total yield and yield efficiency on OH × F 87. The lowest yield was on OH × F 333. The cultivar Lucas was the most productive on OH × F 87. In the sixth year after planting no difference was observed in growth vigour (indicated by trunk crosssectional area) between OH × F clones with the cultivar Red Barttlet. The trees on BA-29 grew less. The tree size of Conference was largest for OH × F 230 and smallest for OH × F 333. The cultivar Lucas grew vigorously on OH × F 69. Small trees were observed on the rootstock OH × F 87. Fruit weight was higher on BA-29 than on OH × F rootstocks with all cultivars. The production of suckers proved to be small with all cultivars on all rootstocks. The anchorage of all trees was adequate. No graft incompatibility has been detected yet. The results were processed statistically.