Have you ever wondered as you bite into a crispy apple who developed the different varieties or how it actually got to your grocers? There are many steps involved in creating that perfect apple, which brings us to the importance of pomology. What is pomology? Pomology is the study of fruit and much, much more.
What is Pomology?
Pomology is the study of fruit, specifically the science of
growing fruit and nuts. Pomology was officially introduced in the United States
with the inception of a pomology division of the USDA in 1886.
Importance of Pomology in Horticulture
Pomology is an important science. Fruit trees are not easy
to grow and require specific information on how to cultivate depending upon the
variety and cultivar. Some of this information has been passed down and some
has been improved upon over time by the work of pomologists.
What Does a Pomologist do?
One of the major duties of a pomologist is developing new
cultivars. New and improved fruit and nut varieties are constantly being
manipulated to improve things such as disease resistance.
Pomologists also study fertilization and pruning methods to
identify those that are most effective at keeping the trees healthy and
productive. Along the same lines, they study pests, infections, diseases, and
adverse weather conditions that might affect yields.
A pomologist doesn’t actually drive the produce to the supermarket,
but they are essential in determining how to harvest and transport fruit and
nuts, often developing special crates to transport produce without injury. They
also observe and record shelf life and storage conditions to determine what
will keep the product fresh longest post-harvest.
As a pomologist studies the growing conditions of different
fruit and nut trees,
they are also watering, pruning, and transplanting crops. At the same time
during their studies, pomologists are looking for new ways to grow more
sustainable crops that have less of an impact on the environment.
The importance of pomology in horticulture can’t be stressed
enough. Without these studies, there would likely be very little variety, let
alone quantity of fruits and nuts available.
Have you ever wondered as you bite into a crispy apple who developed the different varieties or how it actually got to your grocers? There are many steps involved in creating that perfect apple, which brings us to the importance of pomology. What is pomology? Pomology is the study of fruit and much, much more.
What is Pomology?
Pomology is the study of fruit, specifically the science of
growing fruit and nuts. Pomology was officially introduced in the United States
with the inception of a pomology division of the USDA in 1886.
Importance of Pomology in Horticulture
Pomology is an important science. Fruit trees are not easy
to grow and require specific information on how to cultivate depending upon the
variety and cultivar. Some of this information has been passed down and some
has been improved upon over time by the work of pomologists.
What Does a Pomologist do?
One of the major duties of a pomologist is developing new
cultivars. New and improved fruit and nut varieties are constantly being
manipulated to improve things such as disease resistance.
Pomologists also study fertilization and pruning methods to
identify those that are most effective at keeping the trees healthy and
productive. Along the same lines, they study pests, infections, diseases, and
adverse weather conditions that might affect yields.
A pomologist doesn’t actually drive the produce to the supermarket,
but they are essential in determining how to harvest and transport fruit and
nuts, often developing special crates to transport produce without injury. They
also observe and record shelf life and storage conditions to determine what
will keep the product fresh longest post-harvest.
As a pomologist studies the growing conditions of different
fruit and nut trees,
they are also watering, pruning, and transplanting crops. At the same time
during their studies, pomologists are looking for new ways to grow more
sustainable crops that have less of an impact on the environment.
The importance of pomology in horticulture can’t be stressed
enough. Without these studies, there would likely be very little variety, let
alone quantity of fruits and nuts available.