The pear programme is based at our research centres in Riwaka (Nelson) and Havelock North (Hawke’s Bay). Its main focus is creating novel types of pear that have ready-to-eat crisp and juicy flesh textures with interesting flavour, and a long storage and shelf life. Further differentiation will be achieved through the introduction of bright red skin colour and different fruit shapes. This is achieved by combining European, Japanese (Nashi) and Chinese pear types using conventional breeding techniques (interspecific hybridisation). Incorporation of scab and fireblight resistance into all breeding lines are additional breeding objectives.
The product development of pear is integrated with that of apple and genomics research has been initiated in pear.