Introduction to the Conference Pear Variety and Its Main Characteristics

Originating in the United Kingdom, it is the main cultivar grown in the UK. It is also listed as one of the main cultivars in Germany, France and Bulgaria. In China, it has been introduced and trial-planted in Beijing, Hebei, Henan, Liaoning, Shanxi, Sichuan, Gansu and Yunnan provinces (municipalities).

The fruit is medium to large, with an average single fruit weight of 163 g. The fruit is slender-necked gourd-shaped, more attractive in appearance than Beurre Bosc, and the fruit shoulder is often lopsided to one side. The skin is green, turning greenish-yellow when ripe; some fruits have a pale red blush on the sunny side, and the surface is smooth with a waxy gloss. The lenticels are small and moderately numerous; the stalk is 3.4 cm long and 3.2 mm thick, swollen where it joins the flesh; there is no stalk cavity, but a lip-like protrusion is present. The calyx lobes are persistent and medium in size. The calyx basin is medium in depth and width, with wrinkles. The core is medium in size, with 5 locules. The flesh is white, fine and firm in texture, becoming soft after ripening and easily melting in the mouth, with abundant juice, a sweet flavour and aroma, and superior or excellent quality. The soluble solids content is 13%-15.8%. In Xingcheng, Liaoning, the fruit is harvested in early September, making it a medium-maturing soft-fleshed variety. The fruit does not keep well and can be stored at room temperature for about 15 days. It is mainly used for fresh eating.

The plant has moderate vigour. A 10-year-old tree is 3.67 m tall, with a trunk circumference of 34.7 cm and a canopy spread of 2.07 m x 1.83 m. The bud-break ability is strong, with a bud-break rate of 78.28%, and the branching ability is moderate; generally 2-3 long shoots are produced below the pruning cut.

It begins bearing late, generally starting to fruit about 5 years after planting, mainly on spurs. According to a survey of newly bearing trees, spurs accounted for 51.94%, medium fruit branches for 11.17%, and long fruit branches for 36.89%. With proper management, it can bear heavy crops in successive years. The self-pollination fruit set rate is high, and pre-harvest fruit drop is slight. In Xingcheng, Liaoning, flower buds begin to swell in mid-to-late April, first flowers open in early May, full bloom occurs in mid-May, flowering ends in late May, the fruit ripens in early September, and leaves fall in mid-November. The fruit development period is 112 days; the vegetative growth period is 211 days.

It is not demanding regarding soil, but grows better on fertile sandy loam. Its cold resistance is moderate; in Xingcheng, Liaoning, short branches sometimes suffer frost damage. Its resistance to decay disease is poor, but stronger than that of the Bartlett pear, and it has relatively few insect pests. This variety has relatively large fruit, a rich sweet flavour, excellent quality and fairly high yields; its only drawback is that the fruit does not keep well, but its commercial value is high and it is well received by consumers. As a medium-maturing, fresh-eating variety, it can be developed in appropriate amounts in coastal suburban areas and industrial and mining districts.