There are numerous problems in the cultivation of pears in Italy, especially in relation to the Abate Fetel variety, which is considered the queen crop in Emilia Romagna. Spring frosts have destroyed the harvest for two consecutive years, but there are other problems besides the frost. However, there is still light at the end of the tunnel with the selection of new pear varieties.
"Problems that are currently difficult to solve, such as the fungal disease Valsa, phytoplasmas, graft incompatibility and soil fatigue, do not seem to occur, or to a lesser extent, in those who have used the Fox9 rootstock. This is a selection resulting from the free pollination of the Volpina pear, which is very rustic, but at the same time maintains an early production and transfers the same fruit shape as plants grafted on the quince BA29," said Enrico Zanzi of Vivai Fratelli Zanzi.
Fox9 is exclusive to Vivai Fratelli Zanzi, owned by the University of Milan, the Alma Mater University of Bologna and Veneto Agricoltura, and has been tested for several years at the the Sasse Rami company of Veneto Agricoltura. The data collected showed a 15% increase in plant vigor compared to BA29, while maintaining unchanged productivity and average fruit weight.
Enrico Zanzi
Furthermore, Italian varietal research has obtained varieties with improved characteristics compared to those that have existed for years. One example is Crea194, a variety propagated under license by Geoplant Nurseries, notable for its early ripening time (coinciding with Santa Maria), "for its appealing shape like that of the Carmen pear, but more productive, juicy and aromatic. One of its strengths, moreover, is its preservation in a controlled atmosphere, which is longer-lasting than Carmen".
(Download the pomological sheet here)
"In recent years, pear tree cultivation has expanded to areas outside Emilia Romagna, such as Calabria, Sicily and Campania, where the climatic and sanitary problems are not as great as in the areas previously considered suitable for cultivation."
"It should also be highlighted that the organic sector is of great importance and the demand for certified organic plants through our company Zanzivai BIO remains strong. Differentiation with an organic periculture is always a profitable choice, despite the phytosanitary problems, which are especially prevalent in the Emilia Romagna, Veneto and Piedmont areas," added Giovanni Zanzi.
Enrico, Riccardo, Francesca and Giovanni Zanzi at Futurpera 2019
"In our opinion, the pear sector in Emilia Romagna, and in the whole of Italy, has all the assets to recover, because we are well on the way to providing growers with concrete solutions and making them once again the top producers in Europe," concluded Enrico and Giovanni.
Vivai Zanzi Fratelli Zanzi will be present at Futurpera.
Vivai F.lli Zanzi
44124 Ferrara - Italy
+39 0532 719072
[email protected]
www.vivaizanzi.it