Journal of Hill Agriculture

Twelve varieties of pear viz. Williams Bartlett, Flaming Beauty, Kieffer, Anjou, Kashmir Pear, Flemish, Hangel, Country Pear, Clapps Favorite, China Pear, Red Bartlett and Junska Jalato grafted on kainth wild pear (Pyrus pashia L.) rootstock planted in 1986 at 6 x 6 m distance in randomized block design in Kullu valley of Himachal Pradesh were selected for present study. The cv. Country Pear was first to open its flower, show full bloom and petal fall, where as Clapp's Favorite was last to do so. The cv. Junska Jalato was first to ripen on 28^th May followed by China Pear. Red Bartlett ripened around 12^th July and William's Bartlett on 5^th August. The highest trunk girth and shoot length was recorded with Junska Jalato and the lowest with Kieffer. The highest yield was recorded with Hangel and the lowest with Junska Jalato. Red Bartlett and William's Bartlett were medium in growth and yield. Cultivar Red Bartlett, which is early ripening, has red blushed fruits and sweet taste and William's Bartlett, which is late ripening cultivar, has good taste and keeping quality may be recommended for commercial cultivation in Himachal Pradesh.