Pear tree rootstock named ‘ViruTherm-2’

Abstract

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

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of pear tree rootstock plant named ‘ViruTherm-2’, 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 a plant of ‘ViruTherm-2’;

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

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates the roots of ‘ViruTherm-2’.

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 August of 2022 via http://www.farb-tabelle.de/de/farbtabelle.htm.

ROOTSTOCK

(6) Height: 150.0 cm. Thickness: 12.0 mm. Vigor: High. Tree habit: Upright. Use: Solely as a rootstock. Vegetative shoots: Overall habit.—Spreading. Growth habit.—Straight. Surface texture.—Smooth, with no pubescence present. Internode length.—Average of 3.0 cm. Lenticels.—Quantity: 10 per/cm. Length: 1.0 mm. Width: 0.1 mm. Shape: Oblong. Color: Khaki1, HEX #FFF68F. Bud.—Length: 3.0 mm. Width: 3.0 mm. Apex shape: Conical. Color: LightGreen, HEX #90EE90. Petiole: Shape.—Straight. Length.—2.0 cm. Diameter.—0.1 cm. Color.—Khaki1, HEX #FFF68F. Leaves: Arrangement.—Alternate, spiral. Length.—5.5 cm. Width.—4.7 cm. Form.—Elliptic-oval. Apex.—Pointed. Base.—Orbicular-obtuse. Margin.—Weakly serrate. Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth. Color.—Upper surface (young and mature leaves): DarkOliveGreen4, HEX #6E8B3D. Lower surface (young and mature leaves): LightGreen, HEX #90EE90. Venation.—Type: Pinnate, alternate. Color: LightGreen, HEX #90EE90. Stipules: Length.—Average of 1.0 cm. Margin.—Entire. Color.—LightGreen, HEX #90EE90. Multiplication ability: Layering.—Very difficult. Hardwood cuttings.—Very difficult. Softwood cuttings.—Very difficult. Pathogen resistance: Resistant to Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri. Pest resistance/susceptibility: Not observed to date. Heat tolerance: To 38° C. Cold tolerance: To −25° C. Rootstock performance: Root sprouts (suckering).—None. Anchorage.—Stable. Compatibility.—Very good with all pear varieties. Vigor.—Strong. Flowers/fruit: Not observed to date.