Pomologists

Pomology is the branch of horticulture that focuses on fruit crops. A pomologist is a scientist or practitioner who studies the production, genetics, physiology, and postharvest handling of fruits. The field covers crops such as apples, pears, stone fruits, citrus, berries, and other fruits, and practitioners work in universities, government research labs, extension services, private breeding companies, and nurseries.

Core activities include evaluating cultivars and rootstocks, breeding new varieties with improved yield, flavor, storage quality, and disease resistance, and optimizing cultural practices such as pruning, fertilization, irrigation, and pollination management. Pomologists also study harvest timing, postharvest physiology, and technologies to extend shelf life, as well as factors affecting fruit quality during storage and transport. They apply disciplines such as genetics, plant physiology, crop protection, and statistics, often collaborating with plant breeders, entomologists, pathologists, and food scientists.

Training typically involves degrees in horticulture, plant science, or pomology, with advanced degrees common for researchers. Career paths include university research and teaching, government agricultural services, private cultivar development, and quality control in the fruit industry. Professional organizations, such as the American Pomological Society and the International Society for Horticultural Science, support research dissemination, standards, and networking among practitioners and researchers in the field.