Naju-si Urges Production of 'High-Quality Naju Pears' in Preparation for Early Chuseok

Published 27 Apr.2022 11:42(KST)

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Naju City in Jeollanam-do urged farmers to produce and distribute high-quality Naju pears to maintain their reputation in preparation for this year's early Chuseok holiday (September 10).

According to the Naju Agricultural Technology Center on the 27th, due to favorable weather during the pear blossom blooming period this year, stable fruit set has been achieved, and the production volume of Naju pears is expected to recover to the average level of about 50,000 tons.

While it is fortunate that there has been no recurring cold damage this year, farmers face difficulties with thinning work due to excessive fruit set.

Moreover, with the early Chuseok advancing the shipping period, concerns about the distribution of low-quality pears such as low sugar content, irregular shapes, and small fruits are increasing.

The Agricultural Technology Center plans to strengthen guidance for farmers on producing high-quality pears, including thinning (fruit thinning), soil management, and pest and disease control.

Thinning will be carried out 2 to 3 times starting early next month, adjusting the appropriate number of fruits considering the tree vigor. The final number of fruits left should be lower than the average to prevent nutrient depletion and promote early shipping.

Pruning of shoots (shoot thinning) should be done as early as possible from early next month, and during summer pruning, new shoot induction should be managed at a level that does not interfere with sunlight exposure to improve quality and flower bud formation.

From mid to late next month, as nutrients transition, additional fertilization will supply nutrients, but fertilization should be completed early to avoid delaying the cessation of new shoot growth.

After pollination, during the period of active cell division and vigorous growth of roots, leaves, and new shoots, when nutrient and water absorption is high, sufficient watering of about 20-30mm over 10-15 days is necessary.

In orchards where flower bud management was neglected due to low temperatures over the past three years, thorough management of fruit clusters and pest and disease control is essential.

In these orchards, the presence of many fruit cluster leaves makes pesticide penetration difficult, causing pest and disease outbreaks and increases. Therefore, it is important to understand the timing and methods of pest control for black spot disease, red spot disease, scale insects, pear psylla, and peach shoot borer.

New pear varieties such as Sinhwa, Changjo, and Super Gold are early-ripening varieties that can be harvested in early September. It is recommended to realize the inherent taste of the varieties by controlling fruit set and securing sufficient leaf numbers without using growth regulators (GA, Esspon).

The city’s Agricultural Technology Center plans to conduct on-site orchard management consulting for high-quality pear production in cooperation with the Pear Research Institute and Naju Pear Orchard Cooperative, focusing on ▲ water and nutrient management within the tree ▲ soil management ▲ maturity judgment technology guidance.

Jo Seong-eun, director of the Naju Agricultural Technology Center, said, “Irregular and low-quality fruits shipped due to the early Chuseok negatively affect consumer trust, farmers’ income, and the reputation of Naju pears,” adding, “We hope farmers will strive to produce high-quality fruits through tree management and timely pest and disease control rather than relying on growth regulators and excessive nutrient treatments.”