Compact pears obtained through in vitro mutagenesis

Six pear cultivars 'Butirra Precoce Morettini', 'Conference', 'Doyenne d'Hiver','Passe Crassane','Abbe Fetel' and 'Bartlett', were irradiated in vitro with gamma rays (3.5 Gy). After three subcultures microcuttings were rooted and from the irradiated shoots about 1000 trees per cultivar were obtained. Field surveys were executed to identify mutants for vegetative traits; trees with compact habit were selected and propagated. On selected clones observations were made on maintenance of superior vegetative traits and on productivity. Genotypes that exhibited a diminutive productivity or defective fruit traits were removed from the group of potential compact scions; their evaluation will be completed with a test as potential dwarfing rootstocks. A number of selected genotypes, originated from different cultivars, combine compact growth habit and a production comparable for quality and quantity to standard cultivars. After vegetative propagation the traits that motivated the selection were confirmed, these clones are actually under evaluation for their use as scion in high-density orchards.