Pear (pyrus communis) LATGALE

Pear (Pyrus communis) 'Latgale'

A Latvian winter pear with excellent frost hardiness and very long storability.

'Latgale' is a Latvian winter pear variety, valued for its excellent frost hardiness, very long storability (until May-June), and high, regular yield. The tree has a medium, naturally dwarfing growth habit. The fruits are medium to large, with a good sweet flavour and excellent resistance to rot.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Very long storability (until May-June).
• High to excellent frost hardiness.
• High and regular yield.
• Excellent resistance to fruit rot.
• Early entry into bearing.
• Good sweet flavour.

Origin and Registration

• Country of origin: Latvia (Pūrē)
• Institution: Pūre Horticultural Research Centre
• Selection number: AMD-55-78-2
• Registration: Registered and protected in Latvia since 2009.

Variety Characteristics

Tree

• Growth: Medium, naturally dwarfing.

Fruit

• Size: Medium to large.
• Shape and colour: Pyriform. Yellow-green to greyish-green, may have a slight orange or pinkish blush on the sunny side.
• Flesh: White, relatively firm, very fine-grained, juicy, without stone cells.
• Flavour: Good, sweet with a mild acidity.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost resistance: High to excellent.
• Disease resistance: Medium-high resistance to scab, excellent resistance to fruit rot (in the orchard and during storage).

Cultivation Recommendations

• Requires fruit thinning, otherwise the fruits are smaller.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Late September to early October.
• Storability: Very long, until May-June.
• Yield: High and regular.
• Entry into bearing: Early.
• Transportability: Good.