Articles
THE POSSIBILITY OF APPLICATION OF THE “PYRUS POLLINATION SYSTEM” IN COMMERCIAL ORCHARDS
For this reason a mixed planting of several varieties is necessary to obtain favourable pollination conditions.
In these orchards a differentiated, variety-specified agro- and phyto-technology is not practicable.
There are significant differences among the varieties according to their demands on the various technological operations, primarily on plant protection and harvest.
Some varieties, as Beurré Hardenpont, Calebasse Bosc, require an intensive protection against scab.
At the same time less protective measures are needed by other varieties, as Passe Crassane, Conference and Clapp’s Favourite.
The use of a variety-specified technology is justified by the fact, that the flowering and harvest /ripening/ time time of the different pear varieties vary markedly.
In the orchards with traditional pollination system the planting of at least 3 commercial varieties is necessary to obtain favourable conditions for the pollination.
The pear requires a pollinizer source within a distance of not more than 15 m.
It means, that single variety blocks not wider than 30 m can be planted.
In these blocks, depending on the row space used, about 3–4 rows of a variety can be placed.
The synchron flowering and mutual good pollinizer commercial varieties /Clapp’s Favourite, Bartlett, Calebasse Bosc, Beurré Hardenpont, Passe Crassane/ have rather different harvest time.
The separate harvest of different varieties planted in separate rows can be carried out, but the plant protection measures could not be differentiated among the varieties, even if each variety forms a block of 4–6 rows.
A solution for this problem is offered by planting of a single variety on the whole plot and creating of the needed pollination opportunities by use of wild pear /Pyrus/ forms.
In Hungary we have started the development of the "Pyrus pollination system" in 1979. As far as we know, there are no similar studies reported in the literature.