Pear tree rootstock named ‘ViruTherm-1’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of pear tree rootstock tree that exhibits resistance to Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri, no suckering, and is compatible with all pear varieties.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of pear tree rootstock plant named ‘ViruTherm-1’, as is herein illustrated and described.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety at approximately 1 year of age, with the color being as nearly true as possible with color illustrations of this type.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a close-up view of plants of ‘ViruTherm-1’;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates multiple plants of ‘ViruTherm-1’; and

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates the roots of ‘ViruTherm-1’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(5) The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new cultivar at approximately 1 year of age. The data which defines these characteristics were collected as a result of asexual reproductions carried out in Ellerbek, Germany on field grown plants under standard growing conditions and taken under natural light. Color descriptions are provided using X11 Color Names and their corresponding HEX Color Codes, accessed in October of 2022 via https://www.farb-tabelle.de/de/farbtabelle.htm.

ROOTSTOCK

(6) Height: 120.0 cm. Thickness: 8.0-10.0 mm. Vigor: Moderate. Tree habit: Upright. Wood color: SaddleBrown, HEX #8B4513. Use: Solely as a rootstock. Vegetative shoots: Overall habit.—Upright. Growth habit.—Straight. Surface texture.—Smooth, with no pubescence present. Internode length.—Less than or equal to 5.0 mm. Lenticels.—Quantity: 20 per/cm. Length: 0.5 mm. Width: 0.2 mm. Shape: Rounded. Color: Khaki1, HEX #FFF68F. Bud.—Length: 5.0 mm. Width: 4.0 mm. Apex shape: Pointed. Color: Sienna4, HEX #8B4726. Petiole: Shape.—Straight. Length.—1.5 cm. Diameter.—0.1 cm. Color.—Khaki2, HEX #EEE685. Leaves: Arrangement.—Alternate, spiral. Length.—4.5 cm. Width.—3.0 cm. Form.—Elliptic-oval. Apex.—Pointed. Base.—Oval. Margin.—Serrate. Texture.—Upper surface: Slightly rough. Lower surface: Smooth. Color.—Upper surface (young and mature leaves): OliveDrab3, HEX #9ACD32. Lower surface (young and mature leaves): LightGreen, HEX #90EE90. Venation.—Type: Pinnate, alternate. Color: LightGreen, HEX #90EE90. Stipules: Length.—Less than or equal to 3.0 mm. Diameter.—0.2 mm. Margin.—Entire. Color.—LightGreen, HEX #90EE90. Multiplication ability: Layering.—Very difficult. Hardwood cuttings.—Very difficult. Softwood cuttings.—Very difficult. Pathogen/disease resistance/susceptibility: Resistant to Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri. Pest resistance/susceptibility: Nothing unusual noted to date. Average bud burst timing: Middle of March in Ellerbek, Germany. Heat tolerance: To 40° C. Cold tolerance: To −25° C. Drought tolerance: Very good. Rootstock performance: Root sprouts (suckering).—None. Anchorage.—Stable. Compatibility.—Very good with all pear varieties. Vigor.—Medium to strong. Flowers/fruit: Not observed to date.