Tree Fruit Breeding; Research Scientist, Tree Fruits - Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada

Pear breeding for improved fire blight resistance

The development of fire blight-resistant pear selections and cultivars, through an integration of traditional breeding and biotechnology, is the long-term objective for a sustainable alternative to chemical dependency for the control of this serious bacterial disease. Fire blight, caused by Erwinia amylovora, is the major constraint to increased pear production in Ontario. The only registered chemical for fire blight control, streptomycin, is currently under review, and its pending loss of registration will put additional pressures on pear producers, especially those growing fire blight-susceptible cultivars. Orchard management practices also have the potential for reducing the impact of this disease on fire blight-susceptible cultivars, while the introduction of new cultivars necessitates an evaluation of orchard management practices, including rootstocks and pruning and training systems, in order to optimize production.