I’ve seen many posts recently inquiring about Harbin pears which are commonly sold for orchardists in the North. Many people want very large pears but in warmer zones I’d suggest BET rootstocks for larger pears Pear Decline | USU
" HOSTS
- Pear
DESCRIPTION
Pear decline is caused by Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri transmitted by pear psylla. Grafting and budding can also transmit this phytoplasma. Decline is much more prevalent on trees with rootstocks of Pyrus ussuriensis or P. pyrifolia than on trees propagated on domestic P. communis roots.
Pear decline is characterized by two phases: quick decline and slow decline. Trees may wilt, scorch, and die in a few weeks, or lose vigor over several seasons, when foliage gets sparse with little or no terminal growth. Quick decline symptoms result from additional stress acting directly on roots (usually Phytophthora or Pythium root rot). Leaves turn red early due to starch accumulation in the upper tree.
Frequently, fall leaf color occurs early on affected trees. On suspect trees, use a knife to expose the cambium (just under the bark) at the graft union to look for a brown line.
BIOLOGY
The phytoplasma is spread from tree to tree by feeding pear psylla. It kills phloem cells at the graft union of specific root-scion combinations, preventing the tree from transporting sugar from its top to its roots. Sugar accumulates above the graft union as stored starch while the roots die from starvation. The reduced root system results in the slow decline of the tree.
SYMPTOMS
- Leaves turn red early
- Trees wilt, scorch, and die in a few weeks
- Trees lose vigor over several seasons
- Sparse foliage with little or no terminal growth
- Reduced leaf size
- Brown line on the cambium at the graft union
GENERAL MANAGEMENT
- Use resistant or tolerant rootstocks.
- Use the best orchard management practices, including the best possible insect and disease control, irrigation, drainage, fertilization, and pruning.
- Control pear psylla.
- When grafting Asian pear trees over to European (P. com-munis) cultivars, graft below the union of the Asian pear with its rootstock to avoid creating a highly decline-susceptible tree
- Remove diseased trees" !
See this older thread Euro pears on Ussurian rootstock
