Response of Yield, Growth and Iron Deficiency Chlorosis of ‘Santa Maria’ Pear Trees on Four Rootstocks

Abstract

This study was conducted on the 'Santa Maria' pear (Pyrus communis L.) budded on various rootstocks [pear seedling (Pyrus communis L.) and quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) (BA 29, QA and QC) rootstocks] under calcareous soil and semi-arid conditions during 2004-2012. The results showed that the highest cumulative yield per ha (53.1 t ha-1), fruit weight (304.1 g), fruit volume (337.2 cm³), fruit flesh firmness (22.3 lb.) and titratable acidity (0.21 %) was obtained from trees on BA 29 rootstock. The highest SSC (15.8 %), cumulative yield per tree (78.08 kg tree-1), TCSA (79.03 cm²) and the lowest titratable acidity (0.18 %) were obtained from pear seedling. The most vigorous trees were grown on pear seedling, followed by BA 29, QA and QC rootstocks. The Santa Maria pear variety’s leaf chlorophyll content on all rootstocks fell during the study period up to 60 DAFB compared with 30 DAFB. It was found that leaf chlorophyll and Fe contents were higher in trees on pear seedling and BA 29 rootstocks and lower in those on QA.