AGRONOMICAL PERFORMANCE AND FRUIT QUALITY OF 'CONFERENCE' ON SOME CYDONIA AND PYRUS ROOTSTOCKS

Six pear rootstocks were evaluated during the period 2002-2009 using ‘Conference’ as a cultivar. Trees were planted at IRTA Lleida Experimental Station (NE-Spain). Most of the rootstocks were quince selections: EMC, EMH, EMA, Adams, Sydo, and one was a clonal Pyrus, Pyriam. Trees were planted in 2002 at a spacing of 4×1.2 m. Blooming times of ‘Conference’ were similar for all the rootstocks. Harvesting dates were not affected by the rootstocks and no differences were observed on fruit firmness, soluble solid content and titratable acidity, either among the rootstocks or when quince types were compared to Pyriam. Quince types always provided larger fruit size and heavier fruit weight compared to Pyriam. Significant differences were recorded on tree vigour even between quince types. The most vigorous rootstock was Pyriam and the weakest was EMC. Highest cumulative yields per tree were obtained on quince types. Yield efficiency was inversely correlated to tree vigour and thus, the most efficient rootstocks were quince selections, especially Sydo and EMH, and the least efficient was Pyriam. All quince types were highly susceptible to iron chlorosis, induced by soil alkalinity. Both Pyriam and EMC were the most susceptible.