Discovering the Pears Born from Research Conducted at the University of Bologna

Stars of the 2024 summer are the pear varieties created by the genetic improvement programme conducted at the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences – DISTAL of the University of Bologna. After a truly optimal ripening period, the DISTAL breeders and the Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) decided to organise a number of meetings to promote and enhance the pears springing from the Unibo research in this field.

Visiting days were organised at the University of Bologna's experimental fields in Cadriano, where the four varieties PE2UNIBO* Early Giulia™, PE1UNIBO* Lucy Sweet™, PE3UNIBO* Debby Green™ and PE4UNIBO* Lucy Red™ enjoyed optimal production in 2024, achieving the goals set in terms of yield, fruit quality and size. The five red selections, which should ripen in late August and September, have also had a good production season, especially the most promising ones: UNIBO15/1, UNIBO15/2 and UNIBO15/3.

Hosted partners had the opportunity to meet one of the breeders, Vincenzo Ancarani, and the Knowledge Transfer Managers of the KTO, offering them the chance to discuss the plant management techniques used, the characteristics of each individual variety and their commercial potential. This was a unique opportunity for everyone involved and provided the University with a chance to exchange insights on the behaviour of various varieties and selections across different regions worldwide.

Long-standing partners from South Africa and partners from the Netherlands, France, UK and Spain participated with test projects at different levels, from early observations to the most advanced. 

Italian pear-growing came under the spotlight with the Unapera technical committee, coordinated by Stefano Foschi, which provided an update on Early Giulia™ and the red selections.

The second half of July was marked by mutual exchanges, field observations and discussions with local and international producers. An important opportunity for technology transfer, aimed at enhancing and disseminating the research results of the University of Bologna in the production fabric and in society generally.