Performance of `Williams pear on five rootstocks

The vegetative and productive performance of `Williamsʹ pear growing on OHF-333, BA-29, BA-29 with interstock B.Hardy, Kirschensaller and the own-rooted `Williamsʹ rootstocks were compared during a seven-year period. The cultivation was carried out in the Lleida Experimental Station, on a well-drained loamy, calcareous soil of pH 8.5. Greater vigour was obtained with the own-rooted `Williamsʹ, with no differences in tree spread at the beginning of the seventh year. A lower uniformity and higher level of chlorosis were found for the quince rootstocks. The greatest accumulated yield was obtained with OHF-333, with no apparent differences among the other rootstocks. There were no significant differences in fruit quality parameters among the rootstocks.