Cultivation

Pears are cultivated on plantations in temperate warm regions. China, the USA, Italy, Spain, Argentina and Germany are leaders in cultivating pears. In 2005, worldwide about 19,5 million tons of pears were harvested.

Utilization

The pear contains less acid than the apple, but just as much sugar. It has very low storage ability.

Hence, the fruit is mostly consumed raw or processed

• into fruit ingredients, fruit juices
• as canned goods
• into dried fruit

Gene technology: aims of research and development

Agronomic traits

Resistance against phatogens

• Bacterial resistance

Plant development

• Modified ethyl production and, therefore delayed maturity

• Modified rooting

Field trials with GM pears