Pear Psylla Resistance in Breeders Selections

Twenty pear cultivars and breeders’ selections with interspecific pedigrees involving Pyrus ussuriensis Max. or P. pyrifolia (Burm.) Nakai crossed with P. communis were assessed for resistance pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyricola Foërster) using a nymphal feeding antixenosis assay.  Four P. ussuriensis × P. communis hybrid selections (NJ B9 R1 T117, NJ A2 R21 T89, NY 10355 and NY 10359) and one P. pyrifolia × P. communis hybrid selection (NJ Rock R25 T238) were significantly less susceptible than Bartlett (P. communis).  Fruit size and quality of the resistant selections varied, and while inferior to pure P. communis cultivars, should be valuable genetic resources for the breeding of new pear cultivars with resistance to pear psylla.