What was it all about?

This project, which ran from 2009 until 2014, funded the commercialisation of two new pear varieties that were bred in Victoria in 2001.

The work centred on an early season variety (ANP-0118), considered as a replacement for Williams, and a mid-season variety (ANP-0131) targeted as a replacement for Packham.

The varieties were evaluated on a semi-commercial scale, using large test plots of 100 trees. Six sites were included, spread across growing regions of the country. The larger scale trials meant that fruit could be graded on a normal fruit grader to gather data on size distribution, appearance, skin finish and indicative packout rates.

Trees fruited in 2014 and produce was evaluated for:

• Bloom dates
• Level of fruit set
• Fruit characteristics including size, sugar content, flavour, skin finish, and firmness
• Any pest and diseases issues.

In addition, the team went through the following steps to ready the varieties for release:

• Nurseries able to propagate trees were located
• Market research trials with consumers were conducted
• Brands for the two varieties (‘LANYA’ for ANP-0118 and ‘DELIZA’ for ANP-0131) were developed
• Intellectual property was protected in the form of plant breeder’s rights, plant patents and registration of trademarks.