The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of location, cultivar and time on the physical, morphological and physiological characteristics of pear flower bud, and possible envolvement with flower bud abortion, in the Southern of Brazil. Two experiments were conducted in the year 2000, in three locations and three cultivars. Volume, weight, length and bud diameter, dry weight of scales, inflorescence length, number of flower primordia per bud, inflorescence dry weight and internal necrosis degree of buds were evaluated. The occurrence of duplication of inflorescence and formation of a large number of flower primordia per buds in samples from locations with higher indexes of abortion were observed. Asian pear cultivars had larger number of flower primordia per bud than the cv. Kieffer (hybrid). In São Joaquim's area, the pear has a better adaptation, characterized by a better formation of the floral structure. The Asian pears, especially in Pelotas, also showed alterations in flower primordia, such as: deformations, abscission, pistil necrosis, darkening of anthers and vascular tissues. The length of the inflorescence allowed the differentiation of cultivars according to time of resumption of their final flower development, being the 'Kieffer' earlier than Nijisseiki and Housui cultivars.
Pyrus pyrifolia; Nijisseiki; Kieffer; morphology; inflorescence; flower primordia
