Descriptions of Arkansas Apple Selections

Curt R. Rom
Associate Professor, Horticulture - Pomology
Department of Horticulture
316 Plant Sciences Building
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
Telephone: 501-575-2603
FAX: 501-575-8619
e-mail: crom@comp.uark.edu

1989-Present

• Associate Professor, Pomology, Department of Horticulture Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR



• Appointment: Research .50 FTE, Instruction .50 FTE
• Additional Service activities not given FTE appointment.
• Appointment Date: July 17, 1989
• Research Field: Tree fruit physiology and breeding, primarily apples. Improvement of fruit production systems and selection of rootstocks and cultivars for Arkansas conditions.



• Instruction: HORT 4403/4400-L Plant Propagation, HORT 4103 Tree Fruit Science, HORT 5103 Pomological Current Concepts; also instructor for HORT 2003/2001L Principles of Horticulture, and participates in teaching HORT 1103 Home Horticulture. Chancellor's Lecturer for UNIV 1102 Freshman Scholars' Seminar 1991-3.

1984-1989

• Assistant Professor/Assistant Horticulturist Pomology,Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, College of Agriculture Washington State University, Pullman, WA. Appointment: Research .50 FTE, Instruction .50 FTE

1980-1984

• 1980-1984 Graduate Research Associate, Department of Horticulture, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. Orchard production, tree physiology.



• 1982 Instructor, Department of Horticulture, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. Developed and Taught sophomore level course, "Fruits and Vegetables for Man".

EDUCATION:

• Collegiate Institutions:



• Ph.D.; 1984; Department of Horticulture, The Ohio State University
• Dissertation: The Role of Apple Spur Leaves: The influence of Light Environment and Cytokinins.
• M.S. Horticulture; 1982; The Ohio State University
• Thesis: The influence of Time and Severity of Summer Pruning on Peach Tree Growth and Development.
• B.S. Horticulture 1980 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Horticultural Tree Fruit Research Projects - Project Areas and Objectives

• Evaluating Tree Fruits for Arkansas - Cultivar Testing;
  Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Project #544

Objectives:

• 1. Identify adaptable tree fruit cultivars with a range of ripening dates useful for fresh market and processing.
• 2. Identify disease and insect resistant cultivars.
• 3. Evaluate growth and physiological characteristics of fruit tree to develop management systems.

Cooperators: Dr. John R. Clark, Dr. W. Keith Patterson, Dr. Donn Johnson

• Fruit Tree Physiology, Culture and Management: Rootstock and Interstem Effects on Pome and Stone Fruit Trees;
  Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Project #1006

Objectives:

• 1. To evaluate rootstock and multiple genetic systems in different environments with respect to precocity and productivity, tree size control and anchorage, root suckering, pest resistance and adaptability.
• 2. To evaluate the performance of various rootstock/scion combinations under different management systems.
• 3. To develop improved means of asexual propagation of pome and stone fruit rootstock
• 4. To determine biotic and abiotic stress tolerance of fruit trees in relation to new and existing rootstocks and multiple genetic systems.
• 5. To develop expert systems which will identify key research needs and improve the decision making process regarding choice of rootstock, scion and management system.
• Improving Prediction of Nutrient Needs for Horticultural Crops;
  Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Project #1424

Objectives:

• 1. To improve the value of foliar and soil testing for tree fruits, especially apples and peaches, through a monitoring program involving various facts which may influence nutrient use and availability

Cooperators: Dr. John R. Clark, Dr. W. Keith Patterson

• Breeding Fruits (Peaches, Nectarines and Apples) for Arkansas Conditions;
  Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Project #1327
  Project Leader: Dr. J.N. Moore

Objectives:

• 1. To develop a series of large productive, clear fleshed high quality nonshattering small seeded, clingstone peach cultivars ripening at intervals through the season for processing.
• 2. To develop a series of adapted large productive, high quality, white and yellow fleshed nectarines ripening in sequence throughout the season.
• 3. To develop a series of high quality dual purpose apple cultivars which will compete with northern grown cultivars held in CA storage. Emphasis will be on achieving color, flavor, typiness, texture, durability for use either for early season fresh market or processing. (apple breeding is the responsibility of C.R. Rom)
• 4. To incorporate disease resistance with high quality tree and fruit characteristics.
• A. To utilize available genetic resources for resistance for fireblight, apple scab and cedar apple rust.
• B. To develop genetic resources for resistance to summer apple diseases most specifically bitter rot, and white rot and black rot. Identify sources of resistance, and develop models of resistance in apple; quantify heritability of bitter rot resistance.
• 5. To develop a series of adaptable, precocious, resistant, size controlling rootstocks for apple and peach.
• 6. To develop apples with resistance to foliar and fruit feeding insects, specifically apple mites, leaf miners, plum curculio and codling moth.

Cooperators: Dr. C.R. Rom, Dr. J.R. Clark and Dr. R. C. Rom (emeritus), Dr. J.C. Correll

• Develop and Distribute Fruit Tree Clones free of Virus and Virus- like Agents;
  Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Project #1506

Objectives:

• 1. Provide researchers, regulatory agencies and horticultural industries with sources of deciduous fruit tree propagation materials that are free of detectable virus and virus-like diseases.
• 2. Develop, evaluate, and implement new technology for detection and elimination of virus and virus-like agents from commercially important deciduous fruit tree cultivars.
• Integrated Orchard Management Systems to Control Pests and Disease and Reduce Pesticide Use;
  Project Leader: Dr. Donn Johnson (Entomology)

Objectives:

• 1. Evaluate use of biological/environmental models for control of pests and disease
• 2. Evaluate pest control alternatives including trapping, mating disruption, and other biological controls.
• 3. Evaluate orchard ecology for development of pest management strategies with special emphasis on mite control.

Cooperators: Dr. Ron Talbert

Hort 4103 Syllabus On-LineCourse Description:

Catalog Description: Physiology of water relations, mineral nutrition, flower formation, pollination, fruit growth, pruning, dwarfing dormancy and winter injury as applied to principles and practices of tree fruit production.

Class Meeting: Two 50 minute lectures, one 50 minute discussion, and one 2 hour lecture lab will meet each week. (approximately 40 hours of lecture and discussion and 30 hours of lab per semester).

Prerequisites: Prerequisite HORT 1003, AGRN 220/2201.

Goals, Objectives, and Purpose of Course:

The goal of this course is to introduce and acquaint students with fruit tree physiology as a means of understanding fruit production practices, methods, and techniques. This Goal will be met by achieving the following objectives:

The objectives of Hort 4103, Tree Fruit Science are:

Students will gain historical, botanical and scientific knowledge of tree fruits.

Students will learn how the climate and environment interact with tree fruit growth and the effects on management decisions.

Students will learn the basics of tree fruit cultural management practices and options in management decisions. To develop an awareness of the complexity of management decisions in tree fruit production due to the perennial and long term nature of the crop and the large resource inputs required.

For the students to generate a personal interest in pomology which will lead to personal study and practice.

These objectives will be met by relating physiological processes of fruit tree plants to the cultural practices necessary for successful fruit production. Information by which the students will achieve these objectives will be presented in lectures, labs, and outside assignments.

Description: ]

(Spring, Even years) Principles of plant propagation using seeds, cuttings, grafting, budding, layering and tissue culture. The physiological basis of propagation is presented to create an understanding of the plant propagation technologies.

Class Meeting: Two 50 minute lectures, and one 2 hour lecture lab will meet each week. (approximately 30 hours of lecture and 30 hours of lab per semester).

-Corequisites HORT 4400-L Plant Propagation Lab

-Knowledge of plant growth and physiology is needed.

GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND PURPOSE OF COURSE:

A. The goal of this course is to introduce and acquaint students with biology, methods, and technologies of plant propagation, and with the horticulture propagation industries.

B. Objectives:

The goal of the course will be met by students achieving the following objectives:

Understanding the fundamental genetics and biology of plant reproduction and organogensis,

Understanding the appropriate methods of propagation based upon genetic and biological characteristics of horticultural plants,

Understanding how the propagation environment affects the success of the propagation method, and,

Becoming familiar with the basics of proper plant propagation technology.

Catalogue Description:

Current theory, research and production concepts in temperate zone pomology, specifically as related to Malus and Prunus species. Attention is focused on the trees physiology and response.

Course Objectives and Goals:

The course is designed to expose students to the research and production frontier in pomology by developing an awareness and appreciation of the changing concepts in tree fruit production as a deeper understanding of physiology is developed.

The student should develop a capacity to critically study current research and theory and relate this knowledge to practical use in fruit production systems.

Teaching methodology is designed to give the student the opportunity to organize and present material in a teaching situation and defend opinions or develop ideas through discussion and examinations.

Current Students

Allen, R.A. MS Horticulture

Thesis Title: Canopy development and light interception of apple as affected by tree training system and genotypes

Kugler-Quinn, K. MS Horticulture

Thesis Title: Effect of European Red Mites on gas exchange

and growth of young apples in a controlled environment.

Recent Students

Moran, R.E. MS Horticulture

Thesis Title: Growth Fruiting and Photosynthesis of Apple as affected by the Diurnal Course of Light

Moran, R.E. PHD Horticulture - Plant Science

(physiology/biochemistry)

Dissertation Title: High temperature affects and thermal acclimation of apple

Shi, Y. PHD Horticulture - Plant Science (genetics/pathology)

Dissertation Title: Bitter Rot of apple: Genetic variation of the pathogen and sources of resistance in apple

Garcia, E. PHD Horticulture - Plant Science (physiology/biochemistry/ genetics)

Dissertation Title: Variation in phenolic content of apple related to herbivory resistance.

Woelk, M. MS Horticulture

Thesis Topic: Tissue culture of the Arkansas Apple Rootstock Selections

-Republic of South Africa; visited fruit production and research, Cape Province, 1977.

-Mexico; visited highland fruit production, 1983.

-Venezuela; attended International Society for Horticultural Sciences Symposium on Temperate Zone Fruits for the Tropics and Subtropics, 1986

-Holland; Fellowship, International Agricultural Research Center. Studied rootstocks, cultivars and orchard production technologies at the Fruit Research Station, Wilhelminandorp, Zeeland, 1986.

-England; OECD Fellowship to study environmental physiology, gas exchange and orchard production systems at the East Malling Fruit Research Station, 1986.

-Thailand; invited speaker and consultant to International Society for Horticultural Science Symposium on Temperate Zone Fruits for Tropics and Subtropics,8.

-Participant and Presenter in International Symposium, "Planning for Agroforestry", Washington State University, 1989.

-Participant in Agroforestry Consortium, Washington State University, 1986- 1989; specialty in fruit crops for tropics and subtropics, fruit crops for agroforestry, tree physiology.

-Editor on international newsletter for International Society for horticultural Science working group on Temperate Zone Fruits for the Tropics and Subtropics; readership approximately 410 in over 70 countries.

-Board of advisors for the International Society for Horticultural Sciences working group on Temperate Zone Fruits for the Tropics and Subtropics.

-Taught an graduate level course (WSU) for international students on deciduous fruit production in tropical and sub-optimal climates.

-Helped WSU-USAID team on Jordan Highland Project develop equipment list and research facilities need list for tree fruit research, demonstration, and education.

-Attended International Horticultural Congress, Florence, Italy, 1990

-Two-Week study leave to study fruit production in France, 1990

Honorary Societies

Gamma Sigma Delta, Chapter President 1997/98

Sigma Xi

American Pomological Society, Secretary (1990-present)
American Society for Horticultural Science

Task Force for Evaluating and Planning Society Annual Meetings

Research Division Advisory Council

Teaching Division Advisory Council
ASHS - Southern Region, Executive Committee
Arkansas State Horticulture Society

International Society for Horticultural Science
International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association
Washington State Horticulture Association
Pacific Northwest Fruit Testers Association

DEPARTMENT

Undergraduate Program Development Chair
MS application review Committee
Curriculum Committee, Horticulture Department, Chair
Scholarship Committee

College:
CURRICULUM Committee, Chair

Gamma Sigma Delta, Honor Society for Agriculture, Chapter President

University:
Faculty Senator, Senator-at-Large
University of Arkansas Arboretum Board of Advisors

Arkansas Alumni Association:
Board of Directors
Alumni Society, College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, Board of Directors

Boy Scouts of America:
Executive Committee, Westark Area Council, Fort Smith, AR

Civic:

Rotary Club of Fayetteville
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Trout Unlimited of Arkansas

PERSONAL DATA:

Hobbies and Personal Interests:

Music, Literature, Gardening, Carpentry, Fly-fishing, Outdoor sports, Recreational running, Photography

Spouse: Melissa Harwood-Rom, Associate Athletics Director

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Arkansas Horticulture

For Information regarding Enrollment in the Department of Horticulture, call toll-free: 888-528-HORT