AAC Green Lantern

Pear

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Bartlett' and 'Canadian Gold'

Summary: The flower buds of 'AAC Green Lantern' are longer than those of both reference varieties. The flower petals of 'AAC Green Lantern' are large whereas they are small to medium on 'Bartlett' and medium-sized on 'Canadian Gold'. The petals of ' AAC Green Lantern' are circular in shape with a rounded base whereas they are broad ovate with a truncate base on 'Bartlett' and ovate with a cordate base on 'Canadian Gold'. The fruit of 'AAC Green Lantern' is shorter than that of 'Canadian Gold' and wider than both reference varieties. The profile of the sides of the fruit of 'AAC Green Lantern' is convex whereas it is concave to straight on both reference varieties. The ground colour of the skin of 'AAC Green Lantern' is green whereas it is yellow on both reference varieties. The relative area of russet around the eye basin of 'AAC Green Lantern' is large whereas it is small on 'Bartlett'. The relative area of russet around the stalk attachment of 'AAC Green Lantern' is absent or very small whereas it is medium size on 'Bartlett' and small on 'Canadian Gold'. The stalk of 'AAC Green Lantern' is shorter than both reference varieties. The seed of 'AAC Green Lantern' is ovate in shape whereas it is elliptic in 'Bartlett' and narrow elliptic in 'Canadian Gold'.

Description:

TREE: strong vigour, weak to medium branching, upright habit, time of maturity for consumption is mid to late season

ONE YEAR OLD SHOOTS: straight, medium brown to orange brown colour on sunny side, few lenticels
VEGETATIVE BUD: acute to obtuse apex, adpressed to slightly held out position of the bud in relation to the shoot, medium sized bud support
YOUNG SHOOTS: absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration of growing tip, weak intensity of pubescence on upper third

LEAF: upwards to outwards attitude in relation to shoot, small to medium length/width ratio, obtuse base, right angled apex, medium length of pointed tip, none to crenate shallow incisions of the margin, medium curvature of longitudinal axis
PETIOLE: stipules present, short distance of stipules from basal attachment

FLOWER: beginning of flowering is mid-season, bud on both spurs and long shoots, stigma positioned above level of stamens
SEPALS: recurved in relation to corolla, green brown on immature fruit in early summer, erect to spreading attitude on fruit
PETALS: touching arrangement, large, circular shape (excluding claw), rounded base, medium length of claw

FRUIT: small length/diameter ratio, position of maximum diameter is slightly towards the calyx, large to very large size, symmetric to slightly asymmetric in longitudinal cross section, convex profile of sides
SKIN: green ground colour, very small amount of orange red over colour, very small area of russet on cheeks
STALK: absent or very small area of russet around stalk attachment, thick, absent or very weak curvature, straight to oblique attitude in relation to axis of the fruit, very shallow stalk cavity
EYE BASIN: large area of russet around eye basin, medium depth, broad, smooth to slightly ribbed relief of area around eye
FLESH: fine to medium texture, medium to firm, medium juiciness
SEED: ovate

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Green Lantern' originated from the cross, Kentville seedling 'S32-7-124' by another Kentville seedling 'S38-2-1', which was conducted in 1985 at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Atlantic Food and Horticultural Research Centre in Kentville, Nova Scotia. The seedlings from the original cross were planted in a seedling block in 1986, re-propagated and planted in a comparative field trial in Block 126 in 2004. The seedlings were evaluated for fruit yield, fruit size and general characteristics. One seedling, 'S52-14-046', was selected for its flavour and smooth texture, storageability and fruit size.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'AAC Green Lantern' were conducted at the Kentville Research Station of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Kentville, Nova Scotia. Plots consisted of 5 individually standing trees planted in a RCB design, spaced 3 metres apart in the row and 4.75 metres between the rows. Both the candidate and reference varieties were grafted on 'Bartlett' seedling rootstock. The trial was planted in 1996. Observations were completed during the 2012 growing season. Measured characteristics were based on 10 measurements.

Comparison tables for 'AAC Green Lantern' with reference varieties 'Bartlett' and 'Canadian Gold'

Flower bud length (mm)

Fruit length (mm)

Maximum diameter of fruit (mm)

Length of stalk (mm)

Click on image for larger view

Pear: 'AAC Green Lantern' (left) with reference varieties 'Bartlett' (center) and 'Canadian Gold' (right)