Taiwan Nashi-C (Pyrus calleryana Decaisne), an oriental rootstock pear, was investigated for 30 months in respect to seed cold storage, longevity, germination and seedling development. The seeds removed from mature fruits, were washed, dried, treated with Thiran and placed in closed botles under controlled environment (5-10oC) for thirty months. The seeds were stratified trimestrially over moist cotton substrate at 5oC for 40-60 days. One hundred percent germination ocurred until the 9th month, decreasing to 97, 94, 83 and 76% in the 12th, 18th, 24th, and 30th month of seed cold storage, with seedling emergency of 88, 89, 81, 76 and 70% respectivelly. The seedlings presented a rapid and vigorous growth, with average height of 141.5cm and diameter of 11.9mm, after twelve months from emergency. About 20% of the population showed abnormalities, with undesirable segregation.
Pyrus calleryana Decne.; pear tree; Pyrus calleryana Decne.; seed longevity; cold storage; seedling; oriental rootstocks
