Pears are the most imported fruit in Brazil, thus its cultivation may represent an important opportunity to Brazilian growers. However, there are still some problems that restrict pear production, such as the lack of adapted rootstocks. The aims of this study were to assess growth, yield and fruit quality of two pear cultivars: Carrick grafted on quinces 'Portugal', 'MC', 'BA29', 'D'Vranja' and 'Inta 267' and Packham's Triumph grafted on 'Adam's', 'D'Angers', 'Alongado', 'Smyrna' and Pyrus calleryana. In a completely randomized block design, with 3 replicates per treatment, a 2-year (2009-10) experiment was carried out in a 7-year old pear orchard, trained on central leader, at 1.0x5.0 m spacing, at the Centro Agropecuário da Palma, FAEM/UFPel. The assessed parameters were trunk cross sectional area, yield efficiency, yield, cumulative yield, fruit number per tree, total soluble solids, flesh firmness, fruit weight and fruit diameter. The yield of 'Carrick' and 'Packham's Triumph' was increased when quince rootstocks 'Portugal' and 'MC'; 'Adams' and 'D'Angers' were adopted, respectively. Moreover, it was found that yield and yield efficiency of both cultivars generally was inversely proportional to the vigor induced by the rootstock. Fruits of 'Carrick' and 'Packham's Triumph' cultivars accumulated higher amounts of soluble solids when grafted on dwarfing rootstocks.
Pyrus sp.; Cydonia oblonga; cumulative yield; vigor control
