Leading Italian fruit breeder Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti (CIV) and the University of Bologna have confirmed they are planning to proceed with advanced commercial test production of four new pear varieties across Europe.
Following small-scale early trials, the partners said they were looking for producers in Europe that were interested in establishing trial orchards of their own.
“The main goal is to enlarge the range of testing growing conditions and to shift the focus away from small, dispersed, experimental sites towards larger, more commercial-style plots,” they said in a joint statement.
The four new trademarked pear varieties are Lucy Sweet (PA1Unibo), Early Giulia (PA1Unibo), Debby Green (PA1Unibo) and Lucy Red (PA1Unibo).
Blushed green pear types Early Giulia, Lucy Sweet and Debby Green, which were grown under trial conditions in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, reportedly ripened at three distinct points in the production calendar– respectively in the last week of July, first week of August and second week of August.
Red-skinned pear Lucy Red, meanwhile, was apparently ready for harvesting during the last week of July and the first week of August.
All four are currently awaiting official EU intellectual property protection under the Community plant variety rights (CPVR) system.
“Unibo-CIV are actively searching for, and interested in engaging with, key producers or stakeholders in the pear industry, both in Italy and in the rest of Europe,” the statement added.
“As part of the promotional activity, participation in the project will be under special conditions, as well an attempt to diffuse and share the results of University’s research activity with the industry.”
The deadline for applications is the end of July. “We hope to include as many key stakeholders in the pear industry, and we look forward to the response to this important public call.”
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