Testing company "M. Mariani" carried out a guided visit of its Carmen pear orchard, an early variety currently being tested with Farold 40 and 69 rootstocks in cooperation with CRPV - Centro Ricerche Produzioni Vegetali.
"We planted the trees in 2003 to confront different rootstocks and pruning techniques. Back then, Carmen pears were brand new," explains Angelo Innocenti, the agronomist of the company.
The first crates of Carmen pears.
As mentioned above, two pruning techniques were used. "The first year we pruned the striplings at 60 or 75 cm. Then, the second year, those pruned at 60 cm were left free to grow, whereas the others were clipped at 1.50-1.60 metres."
The growth was limited to make harvesting easier.
"In the past 5 years, we tried to limit the growth of plants so we could avoid using trucks. It was a company choice."
Notice the reddish colour of Carmen pears and their grade.
Both rootstocks are vigorous and, this year, the company will sell its pears for the first time thanks to regional aid.
Carmen pears have a characteristic reddish colour and a shape similar to that of Kaiser. "The colour is maybe a little on the pale side but we expected that."
It has been estimated that each tree will produce 30-35 kg of pears despite the hail of the last two years.
The company started harvesting early pears this week, a few days earlier than usual. "Practically all fruits are big, 60+, which is what the market demands. There were very few small fruits. This is exceptional especially considering that hail damaged the trees for two years in a row. Despite this, each one managed to produce 30-35 kg of fruit."
Contacts:
Azienda Sperimentale "M. Marani"
Via Romea Nord, 248 - Ravenna
Tel.: (+39) 0544 451448