Nanguo Pear is a unique and highly prized fruit native to the Anshan region. Known for its exceptional flavor, rich aroma, and tender texture, it has earned the title of "King of Pears." However, due to its low self-pollination rate and vulnerability to environmental factors, the yield of Nanguo Pears has often been unstable, posing challenges for local farmers. To address this issue and ensure sustainable production, research on improving the fruit-setting rate of Nanguo Pears began in 1998. After nearly a decade of study, scientists and farmers have identified key factors affecting fruit setting and developed effective techniques to enhance it.
Several natural and human-related factors contribute to the low fruit-setting rate of Nanguo Pears. One major issue is the late blooming during the flowering stage, which can be particularly harmful in sunny slopes or low-lying areas. Additionally, low temperatures during bloom hinder proper pollination, with an optimal temperature range of around 15°C. Dusty weather during flowering also poses a problem, as it damages the stigma and reduces fertilization success.
Another critical factor is the lack of suitable pollination varieties. As the market value of Nanguo Pears increased, some farmers replaced their pollinator trees with Nanguo Pear trees, leading to an imbalance in pollination. Moreover, the decline in insect populations due to excessive pesticide use has further reduced natural pollination. Since Nanguo Pears rely heavily on insect pollination, this has had a significant impact on fruit set.
To tackle these challenges, various pollination techniques have been developed. Collecting mixed pollen from compatible varieties such as Bai Xiao, Qiubai, Huagai, and Dwarf Pears has proven effective. Pollen should be collected, dried at 20–25°C with 30%–70% humidity, and stored in a dry, ventilated area. The best time to apply pollen is when flowers are open, ideally within three days of blooming, with morning application yielding the best results.
The amount of pollen applied depends on the number of flowers and the timing. Typically, 30%–40% of the flowers should be pollinated, with 1–2 flowers per inflorescence being sufficient for high yields. Pollination can be done using a brush, a bamboo stick with a small valve core, or by mixing pollen with a sweet-and-sour solution (5 kg water, 250 g sugar, 15 g urea, 15 g borax, and 10 g pollen). Spraying is most effective when about 60% of the flowers are open.
Introducing bees or wall bees into orchards during the flowering period significantly improves pollination. Farmers typically place one bee hive per acre, 2–3 days before flowering. Another method involves hanging cut branches of pollinating varieties in water bottles and placing them on Nanguo Pear trees. For orchards lacking pollinators, artificial pollination using high-pollination varieties like Dwarf Pears, Flower Cover Pears, and Qiuhou Pears can also be effective.
These strategies have greatly improved the fruit-setting rate of Nanguo Pears, helping farmers increase their yields and ensure better economic returns. With continued research and implementation of these techniques, the future of Nanguo Pear cultivation looks more promising than ever.
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