CONTAINER CULTURE OF HIGH-CHILLING PEAR AT TAIWAN'S LOWLAND

Abstract

High-chilling pear cv. Shinseiki (Pyrus serotina Rehd.) were used to evaluate the cultivation potentiality at warm area via the decrement of supraoptimum temperature damage and the escape from dormancy. Several experimental results were obtained as follows: the media prepared by combination of peat and bark compost (1:1 in volume) inside nonwoven bag was lower in temperature than other media; both of the temperature of leaf surface and media decreased more than 2′C at noon by 25% shading favoring the CO2 exchange in the daytime; the foliage application of Aminofol increased leaf thickness and chlorophyll content; and BA or PP-333 treatment enhanced lateral buds development during the supraoptimum temperature period of summer, etc. An integrated management based on these results helped the 1-year old container-grown Shinseiki pear trees over-summer. The experimental trees were then forced to budbreak and flower by application of cyanamide in October. Eventually, the fruits were harvested in March. These results suggested that the production of high-chilling pears in warm area was technically feasible.