Effects of Trunk and Rootstock on Decline, Growth and Performance of Pear1

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Abstract
Pear plots established in 1923 and 1926 with trees composed of several rootstock and trunk combinations were assessed for tree size, susceptibility to pear decline and for fruit quality. In general, Pyrus ussuriensis Max. and P. pyrifolia Burm. & Nak. rootstocks resulted in small trees, P. communis L. and P. calleryana Decne. intermediate, and P. betulaefolia Bunge large. The latter was most resistant to decline, followed by P. calleryana and P. communis, with P. pyrifolia and P. ussuriensis susceptible. The use of the oriental hybrid cvs. Variolosa and Tolstoy as interstocks increased the severity of pear decline symptoms though all trees were not uniformly susceptible. The use of the P. communis cv. Old Home as a scion rooted trunkstock decreased the degree of decline. Fruit quality was good on most combinations but was generally better on P. calleryana than other rootstocks. Pyrus betulaefolia caused cork spot and poor quality of ‘Anjou’ but this same rootstock resulted in outstanding quality of ‘Seckel’.

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