PAU EXPERTS EDUCATE FARMERS ABOUT THE NEWLY RELEASED ‘NIJISSEIKI’ VARIETY OF PEAR

LUDHIANA, JANUARY 28:

Pear, being an important fruit of Punjab, occupies a prominent place in Punjab horticulture and the area under this fruit is increasing mainly because of its hardy nature and remunerative returns," divulged PAU horticulturists while honing the knowledge of the fruit growers about pear cultivation. They added that among the recommended cultivars of pear in Punjab, hard pear cultivation ranks first, both in terms of area and production, followed by semi-soft cultivars. Though, the production potential, keeping quality and ability to withstand distant transportation are good in 'Patharnakh,' yet its consumption as table fruit in north India, particularly in Punjab, is low due to gritty fruit flesh, hardy fruit and average quality. So there exists a demand for pear variety, which possesses soft and juicy fruit. Keeping this in view, PAU has recently released a new variety of pear 'Nijisseiki', which belongs to soft Asian pear group (Pyrus pyrifolia), for commercial cultivation in the state, said the experts.

Referring to the characteristics of the variety 'Nijisseiki,' Dr WS Dhillion told that the trees of this variety are semi-spreading, medium in vigour, its fruit is medium, round and golden brown while the flesh is white, sweet with total soluble solids(TSS) of 12.9%. The fruit is soft with high juice content (74.6%) and juice acid content (0.2%), revealed Dr Dhillon. He added that the variety matures early i.e. by end of June to first week of July. The fruit yield is 80 kg per tree and is suitable for processing for ready to serve (RTS) nectar and squash. Fruit has good commercial potential and can be stored for four weeks at 0-1˚C and 90-95% RH without any deterioration, said he.

Dr PPS Gill shed light on the cultivation technology of 'Nijisseiki' elaborating that this variety can be grown successfully on varied soils ranging from deep sandy loam to clay-loam where water table is below three meters and the sub-soil strata free from hard pan up to two meter depth. The pits of 1m x 1m x 1m in size are dug 6m x 6m apart and filled with well rotten farm yard manure (FYM) and top soil in the ratio of 1:1, added he. To prevent attack of white ants, chloropyriphos @ 5ml or Lindane 30g per pit is applied at the time of filling. The new plants are planted bare-rooted from December to mid-February when they are under dormancy.

Dr Nav Prem Singh further educating the farmers, said that full dose of FYM, phosphorus and potash is given while nitrogen is added in two equal splits (i.e. first in early February, before flowering and second in April, after fruit set). For obtaining good fruit size, plants need to be irrigated at weekly interval in summer months. Additional dose of fertilizer should be given for the intercrops, informed Dr Singh. The Department of Horticulture, PAU may be contacted for knowing the availability of plant material and the technical know-how about its cultivation.
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