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Abstract This study investigates the determining factors that drive sustainable performance through the application of lean methods in the primary production segment of the horticultural supply chain for apples and pears. The determining factors, identified through a systematic review of the available literature, are thematically synthesized, conceptually framed and utilized for the development of a case study. The single case study approach is utilized to develop a detailed and nuanced understanding of the context, evaluating the practices of 4 cooperative primary producers operating within a forward integrated supply chain. The study posits that the combination of climatic and biophysical dynamism inherent in the primary producer environment, in combination with the inflexibility of seasonal batch production, imposes itself as a key barrier to the imposition of pull and flow in the chain, the fundamental tenets of a lean system. A case is outlined where cold infrastructure is employed to break the inflexibility of supply whilst a process of forward contracting establishes fruit orders up to 1-year in advance, beyond the forthcoming annual cultivation cycle, functionally transforming the system of cultivation from a "push" to a "pull" system of production. It is further highlighted that functional partitioning of the organizational-chain structure is necessary to isolate and mitigate the effects of contextual dynamism, whereby downstream chain structures purposed for agility and responsiveness serve as a protective buffer to lean focused grower operations. The findings reaffirm the positive relationship between the size of the grower operation, the capacitation of the workforce and the ability of the operation to attain superior performance outcomes. However, it is severally highlighted that horizontal cooperation between primary producers may help overcome the resource limitations of smaller growers. Data based decision controls are marked as being a centrally important sustainable performance determinant, both at the level of the grower, in terms of orchard management and harvest process control, as well as at the level of the cooperative serving the needs of crop programming and practice benchmarking processes. This exposition of determining factors driving lean sustainable performance in horticultural primary production represents a new contribution to the body of literature linking lean and sustainable organizational performance. The study should support further development of lean management research and operationalized lean methods within the fruit horticulture subsector as well as the broader agri-food context. Highlights • Forward integration of the chain is fundamental to establishing lean pull and flow. • Dynamic and biophysically complex environment drives incremental lean adoption. • Data based decision controls necessary for ensuring desired process outcomes. • Technology cannot substitute for good processes and procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superoxide dismutases (SODs), a key antioxidant enzyme family, are supposed to play an important role in the ripening of climactic fruit. However, information on SODs in pear, as well as their role in pear ripening process, is rudimentary. In this study, a comprehensive analysis was conducted on the characteristics of the SOD gene family in pear. In total, 11 PbrSOD genes were identified in pear ( Pyrus bretschneideri ) genome and were phylogenetically classified into five subgroups. Whole genome duplication (WGD)/segmental duplication was the main driving force for the expansion of the PbrSOD family genes, which harboured distinct types and numbers of conserved motifs and cis -acting elements in their promoters. During postharvest pear ( Pyrus pyrifolia cv. ‘Fengshui’) ripening, the accumulation of oxidative stress was associated with a decrease in SOD activity. The expression patterns of 11 PbrSODs were distinct as postharvest pear fruit ripened, and the changes of some specific mRNAs were correlated with SOD activity. In combination with the results of the impact of postharvest treatments (ethrel and 1-MCP) on postharvest pear ripening process, PbrSODs gene expression and physio-chemical attributes, PbrCDS5 and PbrFSD1 were selected as the candidates involved in postharvest pear ripening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low fruit set is one of the main factors leading to poor yield of pear orchards in Brazil. Early spring exogenous application of aminoethoxyvinilglycine (AVG) has shown promising results to increase fruit set and yield in some pear cultivars. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate fruit set, yield and fruit quality of ‘Rocha’ pear trees in response to different rates of AVG (0, 60, 80 and 100 mg L −1 ) sprayed seven days after full bloom (DAFB). The study was performed during the 2016/2017 growing season, in an eight-year-old ‘Rocha’ pear orchard grafted onto quince rootstock ‘BA29′. Flowers were collected in the field two days after AVG application and assessed for ethylene production rate. Fruit set, number of fruits per tree, average fruit weight, yield, projected yield, number of thinned fruits, fruit quality, seed number and return bloom were also assessed. AVG significantly reduced ethylene production rate while fruit set and yield were increased in a rate-dependent manner. Fruit weight was reduced but as a direct effect of higher crop load induced by AVG. Return bloom was negatively affected only in response to AVG 100 mg L −1 . These results implicate AVG as a potential tool to increase fruit set and yield of ‘Rocha’ pear trees in the climatic conditions of Southern Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ISSR molecular marker was used to investigate genetic diversity of 'Dare Gazi' genotypes of Mashhad Esteghlal orchard and its relationship with other commercial and native cultivars of pear. Among 'Dare Gazi' genotypes of Mashhad Esteghlal orchard 23 genotypes were selected base on difference in tree vigor, leaf color, shape and color of fruit and also 33 other commercial and native pear cultivars from Esteghlal orchard and other Mashhad commercial orchards were studied. A total number of 230 DNA fragments were obtained using 11 primers of which 225 were polymorphic. On average, each primer produced 20.9 bands. Dice similarity coefficient ranged from 0.27 (between 'Dom Kaj' and Asian pear) to 1 (between 'Dare Gazi' 1 and 2 genotypes). Sample cluster dendrogram indicated that 56 genotypes were divided into 12 distinct clusters. The dendogram generated on the principle of Unweight Pair Wise Method using Arithmetic Average (UPGMA) was constructed by Dice coefficient and the genotypes were grouped into 12 clusters. 'Dare Gazi' genotypes did not show 100% similarity due to seed propagation or mutation, as 'Dare Gazi' 3 and 18 genotypes had the lowest similarity coefficient (0.64). Asian pears were placed in a separate group from European pears. And 'Dare Gazi' genotypes from different orchards were grouped separately, but all of them are called as 'Dare Gazi' pear for convenience. ISSR molecular marker can well identify the genetic variability among genotypes and cultivars and found suitable for grouping them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is aimed to present the some old and regional varieties of pear in the territory of Czech part of Silesia; it means the north-eastern part of the Czech Republic. It is a border area (larger part of Silesia region stretches in the territory of Poland) which is characterized by slightly wavy and lowland part of the territory which belongs to areas with mild climate and then also by the mountains of "Nízký Jeseník" and "Hrubý Jeseník" which belongs to cold areas. The average annual temperature in Silesia is about 7.6°C of the long-term usual level. The following pages will be aimed to emphasize the some aspects of specific pomological information based on research carried out in various parts of the region during recent years, to preservation of biodiversity of natural associations occurring on its area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pears (Pyrus spp. L.) are an important genus of trees that produce one of the world's oldest fruit crops. Salinity stress is a common limiting factor for plant productivity that significantly affects the flavor and nutritional quality of pear fruits. Much research has shown that calcium signaling pathways, mediated by Calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs) and their interacting kinases (CIPKs), are closely associated with responses to stresses, including salt. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that govern the relationship between salt stress and calcium signaling pathways in pear plants. The available genomic information for pears has promoted much functional genomic analysis and molecular breeding of the genus. This provided an ample foundation for characterizing the transcriptome of pear under salt stress. Results: A high-throughput Illumina RNA-seq technology was used to identify a total of 78,695 unigenes that were successfully annotated by BLASTX analysis, using the publicly available protein database. Additionally, 2,855 novel transcripts, 218,167 SNPs, 23,248 indels and 18,322 alternative splicing events occurred. Assembled unique sequences were annotated and classified with Gene Ontology (GO), Clusters of Orthologous Group (COG) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, which revealed that the main activated genes in pear are predominately involved in functions such as basic physiological processes, metabolic pathways, operation of cellular components, signal transduction mechanisms, and other molecular activities. Through targeted searches of the annotations, the majority of the genes involved in calcium signaling pathways were identified, among which, four genes were validated by molecular cloning, while 11 were validated by RT-qPCR expression profiles under salt stress treatment. Conclusions: These results facilitate a better understanding of the molecular genetics and functional genomic mechanisms of salt stress in pear plants. Furthermore, they provide a valuable foundation for additional research on the molecular biology and functional genomics of pear and related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] The aim of this study was to explore the differences in photosynthetic characteristics of Korla fragrant pear among different planting densities, providing a basis for the improvement of fruit yield and quality of Korla fragrant pear in production. [Method] The net photosynthetic rates, photoresponse curves and CO2 response curves of Korla fragrant pear under six different planting densities were determined using Li-6400XT portable photosynthesis system. [Result] There were significant differences in photosynthetic parameters of Korla fragrant pear among six different planting densities. The net photosynthetic rate of Korla fragrant pear was highest under the planting density of 4.0 m × 6.0 m. At the planting density of 4.0 m×6.0 m, when the light intensity reached 1 800 μmol/(m2.s), the net photosynthetic rate of Korla fragrant pear reached the peak [19.326 μmol/(m2.s)], and the apparent quantum yield, carboxylation efficiency and dark respiration rate all reached the maximum values; at the planting density of 6.0 m×7.0 m, Korla fragrant pear showed lower light compensation point and CO2 compensation point, but higher light saturation point. At the planting density of 3.0 m×5.0 m, Korla fragrant pear had higher light saturation point. [Conclusion] Among the six different planting densities, Korla fragrant pear with planting density of 4.0 m×6.0 m showed the highest net photosynthetic rate. It suggested that Korla fragrant pear, at the planting density of 4.0 m×6.0 m, had stronger utilization capacity for low light and low-concentration CO2. Therefore, the Korla fragrant pear with the planting density of 4.0 m×6.0 m has the highest photosynthesis efficiency, and the planting density of 4.0 m×6.0 m is the most ideal planting density for Korla fragrant pear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erwinia amylovora was detected on pome fruits in the Aragón region (North-Eastern Spain), in a ca. 5 km radius area located in the mid Jalón river (mid Ebro Valley) in the province of Zaragoza, during 2000-2003. Eight years have now passed since this pathogen was last detected, without new infections being reported in the same area. The bases for surveys and rapid eradication performed have been analyzed in detail to understand the reasons for the success in removing fireblight. The results demonstrate that intensive surveillance, risk assessment, plant analyses using accurate identification methods, and, especially, rapid total or selective eradication of infected trees in the plots have been very effective in preventing the generalized spread of fireblight and in delaying economic losses associated with this disease. Eradication and compensation to growers, estimated to cost approx. € 467,000, were clearly counterbalanced by the economic value of apple and pear production in the 2000-2003 period (approx. € 368 million). Fire blight risk-assessment, using the MARYBLYT system, showed that climatic conditions in the studied area were favourable to infections during the analyzed period (1997-2006). Molecular characterization of E. amylovora strains had revealed their homogeneity, suggesting that these fire blight episodes could have been caused by just one inoculum source, supporting the hypothesis that there was a unique introduction of E. amylovora in the studied area. Spatial spread of E. amylovora to trees was analyzed within six orchards, indicating an aggregated distribution model. This Spanish experience demonstrates the success of scientificallybased prevention methods that lead to the deployment of a fast and strict containment strategy, useful for other Mediterranean areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) on the growth, yield and quality of 'Yali' pears, field experiments for C (fully watered control), EW [early withholding of irrigation, water stress from pullulation to 25 days after flower bloom (DAFB)], MW (mid-growth withholding of irrigation, water stress from 25 DAFB to 80 DAFB), and LW (late withholding of irrigation, water stress from 120 DAFB to 150 DAFB) were conducted in Handan county, North China, during the 2007 and 2008 seasons. The results showed that leaf relative water content (LRWC) was dramatically reduced during water stress. Water stress reduced shoot growth by 9.6%- 18.8%, and the need for summer pruning was marginally decreased. No significant difference was seen in mean fresh fruit weight or yield at harvest for the EW, LW and C treatments. Water consumption during RDI was significantly less than the C treatment. Withholding of irrigation at LW not only led to increases in fruit TSS (total soluble solids), soluble sugars and dry matter content but also resulted in an increase in water use efficiency (WUE). Withholding of irrigation at LW and EW can be used in pear production to save irrigation water without adverse effects on the quality of fruits. RDI is a beneficial agricultural practice for the production of pear fruits if it is adopted one month before harvest, and from pullulation to 25 DAFB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cherryslug, Caliroa cerasi, is an important pest of organic pear production in New Zealand. It is reported to have two generations per year and cause severe leaf damage, particularly through the feeding of second generation larvae in mid to late-summer. This insect has been little studied in Central Otago. Adult cherryslugs were monitored with sticky traps in a block of ‘Taylor's Gold’ pears in the summers of 1999–2001 and the catches were used to assist in timing the single application each season of a range of organically-acceptable insecticides in randomized block experiments which included untreated control trees. The insecticides were: 1999–2000, ryanodine, lime sulphur, kaolin in January, kaolin in February; 2000–01, pyrethrum +mineral oil, lime sulphur, neem extract, kaolin in January. Efficacy was assessed using pre- and post-treatment larval counts and leaf damage. The impact of pre-treatment larval density on post-treatment efficacy was investigated to determine a preliminary spray threshold, specifically for pyrethrum+mineral oil. The adult monitoring indicated that cherryslug is univoltine in Central Otago, with the first adults appearing at the end of December. All the insecticides tested significantly reduced damage from cherryslug larvae and, if registered, could be used by organic growers. In both seasons, kaolin application in January, which targeted the adult cherryslugs, was more effective than all the other products, which were applied in February against the larvae. On the other hand, kaolin applied in February 2000 resulted in greater cherryslug damage than occurred with the other insecticides applied at that time. Larval density had a significant effect on the efficacy of pyrethrum+mineral oil, particularly when >10 larvae could be counted per minute on the trees before treatment. The implications of this result and the comparative efficacy of the different treatments are discussed in relation to organic pear production in Otago. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Fire blight, caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora (Burrill) is a very serious and most perplexing disease of pome fruit. It is most destructive to dessert pear and less to quince and apples. Fire blight is apparently indigenous to North America and it was first noticed in the late of 18th century in New York state. In our country it was discovered for first time in 1989 on quince and pear trees in the region of Plovdiv. Several years later, this bacterial disease has spread in different regions of the country and causes significant damage with blighted terminal shoots mostly on pome fruit and some ornamental species. The investigation were carried out at the Fruit Growing Institute in Plovdiv during 2015-2016. Pear cultivars were grafted on BA29 quince rootstock and on OHF 333 (Old Home x Fermingdale) pear rootstock. The best results after artificial inoculation with the bacteria were received for cultivars Williams and Red Williams on OHF 333 rootstock, where 75% of the shoots were reported with grade 0 of infection on the 10th day after inoculation. The most sensitive to the bacteria were proved the plants of Red Williams on BA29 rootstock-84.62% of the shoots were with class 3 level of inoculation. On the OHF 333 rootstock the cultivars Beurre Bosc and Abate Fetel reacted with third degree of infection, i. e. respectively with 14.29 and 11.11 %. These first results indicate that the plants grafted on OHF 333 rootstock have a higher resistance to the bacteria Erwinia amylovora. Selection of resistant or tolerant cultivars and rootstocks is the main aim of our breeding programs . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was performed to analyze environmental consequences of different pear production chains in terms of fossil energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission in China. The assessment identified hotspots that contributed significantly to the environmental impacts of pear production from the cradle to the point of sale. The results showed that GHG emissions and fossil energy use varied in the different production chains because the environmental performance does not associate with the farming systems (i.e. organic vs. conventional), but is co-determined by farm topography and thus machinery use, by market demands to seasonality of products and thus the need for storage, and by local farming practices including manure management. The LCA could be used as a tool to guide selections of agricultural inputs with the aim of reducing environmental impacts. The results of the LCA analysis indicate that a list of choices are available to reduce energy use and GHG emission in the pear production chain, namely substitution of the traditional storage systems by an efficiently controlled atmosphere storage system, using manure for biogas production, conversion from the conventional farming to organic farming, and reduction of mechanical cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Application of processed kaolin particle film (Surround® WP; Engelhard Corporation, Iselin, NJ, USA) repels insects without lethal effects; hence side effects on beneficial arthropods are low. Processed kaolin may be an alternative to broad-spectrum insecticides used against European pear sucker, Cacopsylla pyri (L.), in organic and conventional pear production. A small-plot field trial was conducted in spring 2003 to assess this hypothesis. Multiple applications of processed kaolin during the first flying period of C. pyri significantly reduced the number of nymphs compared to the untreated control. Processed kaolin protected pear trees at least as good as the standard organic insecticide rotenone. Since the effects on the summer population could not be assessed in this small-plot trial due to the high mobility of the adult C. pyri, a large-plot trial was conducted in 2004. Thereby, the processed kaolin showed a very high efficacy and the population of C. pyri was kept under a damaging level over the whole season. At the end of June the population density of C. pyri in the processed kaolin treated area was lower than in the IPM treated plot. In conclusion, kaolin shows promise as an alternative control for C. pyri in organic and IPM orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symptoms of pear decline (PD) were observed in several pear growing regions of Iran. Pear trees with typical symptoms of PD from Estahban (Fars Province) were examined for phytoplasma infection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Graft inoculation of healthy pear trees with scions from diseased trees resulted in production of PD symptoms and transmission of phytoplasma as verified by PCR. Target DNA was amplified from symptomatic pear trees with fO1/rO1, an apple proliferation (AP) group-specific primer pair. Physical and putative restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses of fO1/rO1 primed PCR products showed profiles corresponding to AP group, 16SrX-C subgroup ( Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri). Percent similarity values and phylogenetic analysis of fO1/rO1 primed sequences confirmed that, as a member of AP subclade, Estahban PD phytoplasma has a closer relationship to PD and peach yellow leaf roll phytoplasmas than to AP ( Ca. Phytoplasma mali) and European stone fruit yellows ( Ca. Phytoplasma prunorum) phytoplasmas. This is the first report of PD phytoplasma in the eastern Mediterranean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out in the period 2015 - 2016, in laboratory for in vitro propagation of the Fruit-Growing Institute - Plovdiv. It has been reported the micropropagation of two pear cultivars - Giffard Beurre and William pear on solid and liquid nutrient media with different chemical compositions. These cultivars are not Incompatibility with quince rootstock. Quince sometimes used as a dwarfing rootstock for pear, but only certain pear cultivars are directly compatible with quince. For example the pear cultivars Old Home, Anjou, Comice, Hardy, Gorham, Flemish Beauty and others are all compatible with quince, but the cultivars Bartlett, Bosc, Seckel, Winter Nelis, and others are not (Westwood, 1993). We used Tissue Culture Methods for pear micropropagation. The results show that the micropropagated plants of both cultures are highly dependent from the composition of the tissue culture nutrient media. The methods can be used for getting a lot of plants on own roots and will not need grafting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]