Since the pear industry still lacks a dwarfing rootstock, Dr. Todd Einhorn is experimenting with ways to improve light penetration in standard pear trees. A dwarfing pear rootstock—equivalent to a Malling 9 rootstock for apples or Gisela rootstock for cherries—is needed so that pear growers can improve production efficiency and take advantage of new technology. “I really think it’s the missing link,” said Dr. Todd ­Einhorn, horticulturist with Oregon State University in Hood River, who believes that dwarfing rootstocks are key to the future of the pear industry for a number of reasons. Efficient Smaller trees would increase the efficiencies […]