PE2UNIBO* Early Giulia™ is a new pear variety with early harvest date (15 days before Williams)
| Variety denomination | PE2UNIBO |
|---|---|
| Thematic area | Plant varieties |
| Ownership | ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA' DI BOLOGNA |
| Breeders | Vincenzo Ancarani, Stefano Musacchi, Silviero Sansavini |
| Protection | European Community, United States |
| Licensing status | Rights of multiplication, production and marketing not yet licensed. |
| Species | Pyrus communis L. |
The new pear variety PE2UNIBO* Early GiuliaTM comes from a genetic improvement programme which began in the 1990s. Today over 23,000 seedlings have been obtained from 276 cross-breeding combinations (of which 69 for resistance to disease and insects). From the work carried out in recent years on the seedlings from the first cross-breeding session in 1990-93, 389 genotypes were identified, taken to phase S2 (multiplied and assessed on small plots of 3-5 trees); of these, 49 were taken to a subsequent evaluation phase (on larger plots and in different growing conditions). Finally, for four selections it was possible to envisage further developments which led to the application for protection with applications for plant variety rights on 8 April 2014 (PE1UNIBO, PE2UNIBO. PE3UNIBO, PE4UNIBO). Since 2007, the genetic improvement activities on pears at the University of Bologna have also been supported by cooperation with CIV (Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti) from S. Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara) with whom the commercial strategies will be decided.
- Tree: medium-high vigour, slightly expanded growth, good compatibility with quince; rapid entry into production and medium-high, constant cropping.
- Flowering: Intermediate flowering (at the same time as Abate Fétel).
- Time of maturity: The fruit ripens early, in the third decade of July and on average 15 days before Williams.
- Fruit: these attractive fruits are medium-large in size (over 200 g); truncated pyriform shape with medium length stem, partially fleshy. Pale green skin that turns yellow when ripe, with pinkish over-colour on 20-30% of the surface on exposed fruits. Fine, white tender and juicy flesh, acidic-sweet (good sugar-acid balance) and good flavour. Shelf-life has been shown to be good for up to 6 months after harvesting in “dynamic controlled atmosphere” (-0.5 C°, CO2 <0.8 %, O2 0.7-1.3 %) as well as in normal atmosphere at -1°C.
- Agronomic evaluation: The bearing habit is on shoots on 2-3 year old branches and on sprigs. This variety also reacts positively to short pruning with periodic renewal of the fruit-bearing growth. Intermediate flowering (at the same time as Abate Fétel).
Patents and Trade Marks:
- Community plant variety right application (EU plant variety rights, c/o CPVO) no. 2014/0970 held by Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna. EU trade mark Early Giulia™ no. 013234802/2014 filed by the University of Bologna.
- Sansavini S., Musacchi S., Ancarani V., 2002. Four new varieties by the University of Bologna. Frutticoltura. n. 10-2013: 20-24.