Pear decline resistance in progenies of Pyrus taxa used as rootstocks

Progenies of 39 open-pollinated genotypes belonging to 26 Pyrus taxa were examined for pear decline resistance and pomological traits when used as rootstocks. Following graft inoculation and observation over 18 years, considerable differences in pear decline resistance between and within the progenies were observed. Not affected or little affected and moderately to severely affected trees were observed in all progenies. However, great quantitative differences among them were observed. In the progenies of about one third of the pollinated trees most of the individuals showed a high level of resistance to grafted trees. Significantly different from this group was another third of the progenies that mostly showed high susceptibility in grafted trees. Between these two groups there were progenies that statistically neither differed from the resistant nor from the susceptible group. These progenies were defined as moderately resistant. Significant differences in resistance were also observed between progenies of genotypes of the same species that originated from different locations. These data indicate segregation of the resistance trait and show that seedling progenies are unsuitable as rootstocks in commercial pear growing. Instead, careful selection of suitable genotypes for propagation is required. Great differences between and within the progenies examined were also observed in vigour and yield efficiency.