GROWTH REDUCTION AND FLOWER BUD QUALITY ON PEAR TREES

The removal of chlormequatchloride (CCC) in European pear production has resulted in an excessive vegetative growth pattern and in a strong reduction in the overall production level on pear trees.
This growth reaction was very strong on the main Belgian pear cultivars ‘Conference’ and ‘Doyenné du Comice’. In some orchards very strong measures such as root pruning or stem incision with a chain saw were taken, with the aim of reducing the vegetative shoot growth and of improving the processes of flower bud formation.
These measures were often combined with a total ban of nitrogen fertilisation which brought the trees even more out of balance, due to a lack of fertility.
Also, there is an intensive search for alternative molecules for chemical growth regulation.
Interesting results were obtained recently with Prohexadione Calcium (P-Ca) during the last few years.
The growth reduction response is different for each pear cultivar and late regrowth can be a problem on young pear trees of the cultivar ‘Conference’. The effects of the different growth controlling strategies on the vegetative behaviour, flower bud formation and on flower bud quality of the pear trees are discussed in this paper.

XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Key Processes in the Growth and Cropping of Deciduous Fruit and Nut Trees

T. Deckers, H. Schoofs

growth regulation, flower bud quality, pear, Prohexadione Calcium

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.636.30