Training system alternatives for 'Rocha' and 'Santa Maria' pear tree cultivars

Vegetative and reproductive development of different training systems for European pear cultivars were analyzed in a commercial orchard in São Joaquim City, southern region of Brazil in season years 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18 in order to develop the best combination for this region. Tall Spindle (TS) training systems with branches originating from the central leader arched at 45 and 90° (TS 45°; TS 90°) and Bi-axis with branches originating from the central leader arched at 90° were evaluated for the cultivars 'Rocha' and 'Santa Maria' grafted on BA 29 quince (Cydonia oblonga) rootstock. Design was randomized complete block with four replications. Main treatment consisted of two European pear cultivars and sub-treatment three training systems, constituting a 2×3 factorial. Annual total plant height, stem section diameter, fresh pruning mass, seasonal branch number and length were measured/counted and bud index (length of branches/number of buds) estimated. Analysis of variance was performed by the F test and significant means separated (Tukey's HSD, p≤.05). No differences were observed for fresh pruning mass and bud fertility index for either cultivar or training system. TS trees reached maximum recommended height of approximately 90% of row width in both cultivars for both bending angles used. Stem section diameter was greater in the TS 45° training systems for both cultivars, TS 90° and Bi-axis in 'Santa Maria'. In the fourth leaf the cultivars 'Rocha' and LSQUOSanta MariaRSQUO had greater vigour in the Tall Spindle training system under the edaphoclimatic conditions of São Joaquim, Santa Catarina state, Brazil, regardless of the bending angle used.