Effect of distance from Williams' Bon Chretien pollinator on production of Packham's Triumph pears in the Goulburn Valley

Abstract

The effects of distance from pollen source, and of seasonal and orchard conditions, on performance of Packham's Triumph pears were studied in five orchards in the Goulburn Valley for three years-1965 to 1967. In nearly all situations and years the fruit set, fruit numbers, and fruit seed content, were higher on trees 6 metres from the pollen source (Williams' Bon Chretien) than of trees farther away. Performance varied between seasons and from orchard to orchard. The date and duration of flowering in pears varies considerably between seasons. An overlap of full bloom was found between Josephine de Malines, Packham's Triumph, and Winter Nelis on the one hand and between Williams' Bon Chretien and Beurre Bosc on the other. Although there was not an exact overlap in full bloom between Williams' Bon Chretien and Packham's Triumph, the spread in the duration of blooming of these two cultivars was quite sufficient for a mutual cross-pollination effect.