FLOWER BUD QUALITY IN THE PEAR CULTIVAR DOYENNE DU COMICE : 1982–1983 TRIALS

Research on flower bud quality in the pear cultivar Doyenné du Comice indicated that this quality clearly depended on pruning intensity: heavy pruning resulted in higher fruit set arising from a longer receptivity of the nucellus, a weaker June drop and a better mean weight.

In 1982 on the heavy pruned A-object, all flower buds on 2 year old twigs were superior for all examined parameters as compared with those on the older fruiting wood.
In 1983, however, in all pruning objects, no significant differences could be found between the different kinds of fruiting wood.
It clearly appeared that fruit set can also be good on the terminal buds of short one-year twigs located at the end of non-pruned 2 year old twigs (feathers).

The 1982 results showed that in all pruning objects, the mean fruit weight was higher on the 2 year old twigs.
This has still to be confirmed in 1983. Downwards directed flower buds were distinctly inferior, probably as a result of poor nutrient status.
No difference could be found between horizontal and upwards directed clusters.

The hypothesis of a "flux" of nutrients and hormones, induced by sufficiently strong pruning, seems to be supported by these results.
It should exist a favorable balance between growth and fruit set resulting in an optimum quality of flower bud and fruit.

Flowering and Fruit Set in Fruit Trees

L. De Maeyer, J.C. Deckers

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1984.149.18