Pears have a long history of cultivation in China, with over a thousand cultivated varieties. Although pears are native to Europe, the only native species is the common pear. A notable characteristic of pear trees is that most varieties require cross-pollination to achieve high yields. Therefore, orchards must be planted with several different pear varieties to ensure effective pollination. From July to October, pears are in their peak harvesting season.
Common Diseases of Pear Trees
1. Pear Rot Disease: This disease mainly affects the bark of main and lateral branches, causing rot. There are two types of symptoms—ulcer type and branch dry type. In severe cases, many dead branches appear, eventually leading to tree death. Prevention and control measures include strengthening orchard management, controlling fruit set, improving tree resistance, and cultivating resistant varieties. Diseased branches should be pruned and burned immediately. Apply a 30–60-fold solution of General Hushu or Formamide wettable powder. Before sprouting, spray 40% methyldemeton WP at 100 times or 5° Baume lime sulfur.
2. Pear Black Spot Disease: This is a common disease that affects fruits, leaves, and shoots. Symptoms typically appear when the average temperature reaches 13–15°C, with the most serious damage occurring between May and June. Fruit development begins in early May, with cracks and drop occurring in mid-June, peaking in late July. Prevention involves proper cultivation, increasing organic fertilizer, avoiding excessive nitrogen, and clearing diseased materials during winter pruning. Before bud break, spray a mixture of 800 times new high-fat film plus 5° lime sulfur, followed by 200 times Bordeaux mixture or 800 times new high-fat film combined with TB600 wettable powder. Alternating these agents with Bordeaux mixture improves efficiency and reduces costs.
3. Pear Caterpillar: The main leaf-eating pest of pear trees, it damages flower buds and leaves. It occurs twice a year, usually controlled once each month from March to April and August to September. Control should occur when overwintering larvae emerge, typically during the white bud to inflorescence separation stage. Common pesticides include 50% parathion emulsion (1500 times), 50% phoxim emulsion (1000 times), 50% astragalus emulsion (1000 times), 50% malathion emulsion (1000 times), 50% dichlorvos (1000 times), and 20% fentamid emulsion (3000 times).
4. Pear Real Peak (also known as flower drill or white diamond insects): This pest only harms pear trees. Adults lay eggs inside the calyx, and larvae initially feed on the base of the calyx. After the fruit turns dark, they move into the core, causing young fruit to dry out. Larvae then move to other fruits. One generation per year, mature larvae overwinter in the soil. Adults emerge from late April to early May. Larvae die in mid-May, after which they pupate.
Prevention and control involve using adult traps, placing cloths under the canopy to collect and kill adults, and manually removing fruits and larvae during egg-laying periods. Spray the ground with 25% parathion (300 times) or 25% phoxim (300 times) 10–15 days before flowering, focusing on the trunk area within 1 meter.
Monthly Management Techniques for Pear Trees
November to March
1. Clean up fallen leaves, diseased material, and dry branches, burning them.
2. Irrigate with frozen water in mid-November before freezing.
3. Winter pruning from December to February. Shape saplings into a full tree, maintaining strong growth and early fruiting.
4. Scrape bark after pruning, applying General 1000x fluid or arsenic 40x fluid if necessary.
5. Soil management in mid-March, repairing irrigation facilities.
6. Top-dressing irrigation based on annual output, with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ratio at 1:0.4:1.
7. Spray lime sulfur to prevent pests during insect emergence.
April
1. Irrigate to delay flowering and avoid frost damage.
2. Spray to control pests like pear bifurcated buds, star caterpillars, and wood lice.
3. Prune stem tips.
4. Plant saplings during Qingming, remove buds.
5. Cover dryland orchards with straw.
6. Perform artificial pollination when needed, ensuring a high fruit set rate.
7. Spray boron to increase fruit setting.
May
1. Spray to prevent pests like pear lice and wood lice.
2. Combine spraying with 0.3% urea to promote growth.
3. Continue pest control and remove damaged fruits.
4. Thin fruits to maintain balance and improve quality.
5. Top-dress with nitrogen and apply foliar sprays of urea and potassium dihydrogen phosphate.
June to August
1. Spray to prevent diseases and mites, adjusting based on pest conditions.
2. Weeding and grass cover during rainy season.
3. Spray to prevent disease and pests, focusing on fruit.
4. Tie grasses on trunks to trap pests, burning them later.
September to October
1. Harvest starting in late August.
2. Apply post-harvest fertilizers, such as organic fertilizer and superphosphate.
3. Continue treating rot disease with General 1000x fluid.
Simple Storage Methods for Pears
When pears are ripe, they should be harvested promptly to avoid dropping, rotting, or cracking. However, immediate sale is not always possible, so simple storage methods can help extend shelf life while preserving freshness.
1. Crypt Storage: Choose a well-drained area, dig a pit about 1m deep, 2.4m wide, and 4-6m long. Place fruits on both sides with a central walkway. Cover with reeds or grass.
2. Packing Storage: Use ventilated plastic crates or wooden boxes in a sunny room. Stack layers with wooden strips to prevent crushing. Keep temperature at 4–8°C and humidity at 60–80%. Add moisture if needed.
3. Sand Storage: Lay wet sand on the ground, place a layer of fruit, then cover with sand. Repeat up to 40cm, then cover with plastic.
4. Plastic Bag Storage: Use high-quality bags, place pears inside, and store in a cool, ventilated room. Keep upright, avoid horizontal placement.
5. Brick Pool Storage: Build a brick pool, fill with fruit layer by layer. Control temperature at 4–8°C, check regularly, and avoid adverse conditions.
Regardless of the method used, proper pre-harvest quality and disinfection are essential for successful storage. (China Plant Protection Network: Li Ruifeng)
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