Factors affecting fruit quality and shelf life of Bon Chretien pears

Bon Chretien pears for canning and the fresh market are grown under various climatic conditions in South Africa. The major orchard factor affecting the shelf life of the fruit after storage seems to be the number of days between full- bloom and the stage at which fruit reaches the optimum firmness of 8 kg. Summer temperature and KiCa ratio in fruit also affected the shelf life. No relation was found between shelf life and total soluble solids or the other mineral nutrients.