Pomology (fromLatinpomum, "fruit", +-logy, "study") is a branch ofbotany that studiesfruits and theircultivation. Someone who researches and practices the science of pomology is called apomologist.
Pomological research is mainly focused on the development, enhancement, cultivation, and physiological studies offruit trees. The goals of fruit tree improvement include enhancement of fruit quality, regulation of production periods, and reduction ofproduction costs.
The termfruticulture (fromLatinfructus, "fruit", +cultura, "care") is also used to describe theagricultural practice of growing fruits inorchards. It is applied horticulture of growing, managing, and producing fruit crops.
It focuses on:
Pomology is a scientific discipline with in horticultur that studies fruit and nut crops,[1] and is often laboratory and research-oriented.
It focuses on:
Systematic pomology is a branch with in pomology that focuses on the description, nomenclature (naming), and classification of fruit plants.[3]
In ancient Mesopotamia, pomology was practiced by theSumerians, who are known to have grown various types of fruit, includingdates, grapes, apples, melons, and figs.[4][5] While the first fruits cultivated by the Egyptians were likelyindigenous, such as the palm date andsorghum, more fruits were introduced as other cultural influences were introduced.Grapes andwatermelon were found throughoutpredynastic Egyptian sites, as were thesycamore fig, dom palm, andChrist's thorn. Thecarob,olive,apple, andpomegranate were introduced to Egyptians during theNew Kingdom. Later, during theGreco-Roman periodpeaches andpears were also introduced.[6]
The ancient Greeks and Romans also had ahealthy tradition of pomology, and they cultivated a wide range of fruits, includingapples,pears,figs,grapes,quinces, citron,strawberries,blackberries, elderberries,currants,damson plums, dates,melons,rose hips, andpomegranates.[7] Less common fruits were the more exoticazeroles andmedlars.Cherries andapricots, both introduced in the 1st century BC, were popular. Peaches were introduced in the 1st century AD from Persia.Oranges andlemons were known but used more for medicinal purposes than in cookery. The Romans, in particular, were known for their advanced methods of fruit cultivation and storage, and they developed many of the approaches that are still used in modern pomology.[7]
During the mid-19th century in theUnited States, farmers were expanding fruit orchard programs in response to growing markets. At the same time,horticulturists from theUSDA and agricultural colleges were bringing new varieties to the US from foreign expeditions, and developing experimental lots for these fruits. In response to this increased interest and activity, the USDA established the Division of Pomology in 1886 and named Henry E. Van Deman as chief pomologist. An important focus of the division was to publish illustrated accounts of new varieties and todisseminate research findings to fruit growers and breeders through special publications and annual reports. During this periodAndrew Jackson Downing and his brotherCharles were prominent in pomology andhorticulture, producingThe Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1845).[8]
The introduction of new varieties required an exactportrait of the fruit so that plant breeders could accurately document and disseminate their research results. Since photography was not widespread in the late 19th century, theUSDA commissioned artists to create watercolor illustrations of newly introducedcultivars. Many of the watercolors were used forlithographic reproductions in USDA publications, such as theReport of the Pomologist and theYearbook of Agriculture.[citation needed] Today, the collection of approximately 7,700 watercolors is preserved in theNational Agricultural Library's Special Collections,[9] where it serves as a major historic and botanic resource to a variety of researchers, includinghorticulturists, historians, artists, and publishers.[citation needed]
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