A New Fire Blight-Resistant Pear: 'Bell'

Fire blight is a dangerous disease of pome fruit that limits the production of pears in temperate climates.

Bell was created in 1984 by Dr. Richard Bell. It was tested as US84909-391 at the Appalachian Fruit Research Station in West Virginia and evaluated at the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center since 2011. Bell is resistant to fire blight with good productivity and harvest timing similar to Bartlett.

Bell trees are vigorous, about 30% larger than Bartlett. Out of 13 varieties tested at the Fruit Research and Extension Center (FREC), Bell trees ranked third in productivity with a yield similar to Bartlett. The fruit is smaller than that of Bartlett, averaging 2.3 inches in diameter and 3 inches in length. It is a yellow pear with an attractive splash of red color on the exposed side of the fruit (see Figure 1).

Bell was the most highly rated early pear in sensory comparisons of five selections that included Gem and Bartlett. Its sugar content, measured as degrees Brix, averages about 15%, making Bell consistently one of the sweetest pears in commercial evaluations. Bell also scored highest in flavor intensity, flavor balance, and juiciness. The attractive appearance, intense flavor, and sweetness of Bell are well suited to fresh market production in the early season where its looks, taste, texture, and juiciness are important traits for consumer appeal.