There are documents that justify that Jumilla pears date back to the 16th century, but it was in the 1950s that their cultivation spread. Its production is exclusive to this Municipality.
Factors that favor the development of Jumilla pears
The most important factor is the Altiplano climate which is cool in winter and hot in summer, with an average annual temperature of 16º. In spring frosts and rains are scarce, this favors flowering.
The second factor is the number of hot days . They are very beneficial for the sugar in the fruit.
The type of terrain is ideal, it alternates mountains with valleys oriented and aligned to the sun that also favor the characteristic color of these Jumilla pears.
The pears of Jumilla
Pears are the fruit of the Pear tree " Pyrus communis L" , of the Rosaceae family. There are many varieties, depending on the taste, sweetness, acidity, and mildness or harshness.
Factors that influenced its commercialization:
One of the most important is the improvement of infrastructures.
The creation of aquifers that allow irrigation of the area.
The creation of plantations with drip irrigation and controlled by humidity sensors.
Very significant that its production lasts from June to October.
These factors make the area a very important point of pear production, with the creation of cooperatives.
It is currently the first national and European producer of arcolina pear with about 1,400 hectares of pear trees.
Characteristics of the appellation of origin of the pears of Jumilla
Data obtained from the regulatory council that has been operating since 2004:
- First the appearance of the pear "extra" and "l" should be: whole, healthy and clean.
- In addition, it must not have foreign matter and will be free of: humidity, smell and acquired flavors.
- The peduncle must also be intact.
- It is very important that it is sold fresh.
- The color will be yellow with a green background and a reddish tone on its face facing the sun.
- The “Extra” will have a diameter greater than 58 mm and the “I” will have a diameter greater than 52 mm.
- The hardness of the pulp of the fruits should be above 11lb / cm2 = 5 kg / cm2, using for this measurement a penetrometer with an 8 mm tip.
- To guarantee that its flavor has the characteristic sugary sweetness, the value of its soluble solids must be greater than 10.5º Brix.
- Finally, its measurable acidity measure is greater than 1.5 g / l of malic acid in the fruit.
Optimized irrigation in pear trees
The controlled irrigation is in addition to the climate of the area that makes the pears of Jumilla are of high quality.
In a region where every drop of water matters, it is very important for the farmer to have data that indicates the needs of the tree, especially at the time of fruit formation and maturity.
At the time of flowering, irrigation is beneficial and rain is not because it destroys the flowers, especially if it is intense.
Jumilla is betting on intensive crops that are much easier to work when pruning, harvesting and watering. The drip irrigation system is the best, it allows you to add fertilizers that help improve production and avoid evaporation. If we combine this type of irrigation with humidity sensors, the results are excellent.
Plantae sensors for humidity, temperature and conductivity, provide real-time readings of the humidity of the land and therefore of the irrigation needs at all times.
Plantae already works with this crop
For more than a year, Plantae humidity sensors have been installed measuring 30 and 60cm deep in a farm with Jumilla pears. The results have been exceptional, since our sensors have managed to save between 15% and 20% of irrigation water every week thanks to the monitoring of data in real time.
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