Kyushu Plagued by Defective Japanese Pear Germination
In the past, only those Japanese pears grown in hothouses were subject to the problem of defective germination, but the problem has now spread to pears grown for cultivation in open fields and unheated structures in six prefectures. In some farms in Saga Prefecture, it is affecting 20-30% of the plants. Officials are not clear about the cause, but one suggested a warmer-than-normal February.