Effects of Rootstock and Training System on Fruit Quality and Peel Nutrient Content in in ‘Bosc’ Pears

Abstract

Twenty-eight ‘Bosc’ rootstock training system combinations were studied over a 3-year period to determine if differences observed in post-storage problems were related to peel nutrient content. Few significant relationships between peel nutrient content and post-storage problems were found, and none of the relationships were significant over each of the three years of the study as well as the overall three-year period. Stepwise multiple regression analysis likewise found no equations that could effectively predict storage problems over each of the 3 years of the study. The lack of consistent and significant relationships or multiple regression equations strongly suggests that random fruit peel nutrient sampling can not be utilized to predict the occurrence of post-storage problems in ‘Bosc’ pears.

Key Words:

• Pyrus communis L.
• decay
• cork spot
• pithy brown core
• flesh browning
• and core browning