A pomologist is a person who specializes in the study of fruit and nut trees. He or she may specialize in the development of new fruit cultivars, the discovery of existing commercially valuable fruits, the management of crop pests, the adaptation to changing climatic conditions, and other aspects of fruit cultivation, harvest, and sale. To become a pomologist, one typically enrolls in a horticulture program and then focuses on pomology in later years.
Fruit comes in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and it is a commercially very valuable crop. Apples, oranges, almonds, walnuts, and bananas, as well as peaches, nectarines, kiwis, pecans, mangoes, lemons, pears, cashews, apricots, and a variety of other fruits and tree nuts, are all widely cultivated and sold. Pomologists are in charge of ensuring that fruit crops are commercially viable and dealing with any problems that may arise in the field of fruit cultivation.
A pomologist may study the growing conditions for various fruit and nut trees and develop new cultivars on the cultivation side of things. New cultivars may have distinct flavor characteristics, produce more fruit than their predecessors, be easier to harvest, or withstand droughts, extreme cold, and other weather conditions better than their predecessors. Pomologists also research pruning techniques, fertilization, and other practices aimed at keeping fruit trees healthy and productive.
A pomologist may study crop pests and infections, which could jeopardize the health of a crop, as part of the cultivation subset. If new threats to the viability of a fruit crop are discovered, pomologists can quickly respond to learn how to deal with them. They may, for example, identify a new insect pest and determine the best method for controlling it.
Pomologists also look into harvesting methods, using scientific methods to determine the best methods for harvesting and transporting fruit. A pomological pursuit, for example, is the development of specialized crates for specific fruit to ensure that it reaches market without being bruised or otherwise damaged. Finally, pomologists examine shelf life and storage conditions in order to ensure that fruit remains fresh for as long as possible.
Depending on which aspect of pomology a person is interested in, he or she may spend a lot of time in the field, working with real trees, or more time in the lab, working on theoretical research such as genetic sequencing of various crops or new harvesting technology. A passion for and appreciation for fruit, as well as the ability to work in a variety of environments and collaborate with people at various stages of crop production, are all prerequisites for a career as a pomologist.