Performance of Indigenous and Exotic Semi-Soft Pear Strains and Varieties under Sub-Tropics

Abstract

Pear is the most commonly grown fruit in the temperate region of India. Oriental pear is mainly grown in subtropics and lower hills of north-west India. The varieties like Patharnakh and Gaia are commonly grown, which are high yielding, but are poor in quality, hence yet not accepted as table varieties. Although, soft pear varieties like Le Conte and Baggugosha are also grown, but on very limited areas, due to their shy and alternate bearing nature. Therefore, lot of efforts have been made for collected/introduced semi-soft pear strains and some Asian pear varieties from indigenous and exotic sources and evaluated· for their suitability under low chilling conditions of Punjab.