by Linda McCandless
Geneva, NY - Americans won two out of the three awards from the International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association (IDFTA) in 1997. Both of them are pomologists from Cornell University who work at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY.
The IDFTA presented the Outstanding Research Award to James N. Cummins, Emeritus Professor of Pomology, in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments in the area of breeding and genetics of disease-resistant apple rootstocks. The IDFTA presented the Extension Award for Outstanding Service to Terence L. Robinson, who has helped the apple industry apply research in apple canopy development and crop management, including studies of tree form and rootstocks that improve yield, fruit quality and profitability.
"Jim Cummins is one of the foremost researchers of fruit tree rootstocks," said IDFTA retiring past president Darrel Oakes. "There is a lot of excitement in the growing community about the series of rootstocks that have resulted from his life's work at Geneva."
Cummins is one of the major developers of a new rootstock series - G. for Geneva and CG. for Cornell-Geneva - which are resistant to fire blight, crown rot and woolly apple aphid. Recent releases of new apple clonal rootstocks are among the major achievements of his 30-year career. He conducted the selection and evaluation of disease-resistant apple rootstocks in cooperation with Cornell University plant pathologist, Herb Aldwinckle. The new rootstocks, ranging in tree size from dwarfing to vigorous, offer the possibility of growing apple trees in environments where the risk of tree death from collar rot and fire blight is high. He received his Ph.D. in 1964 from Southern Illinois University and joined the faculty of Cornell University at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, in 1967.
"Terence Robinson has rapidly developed into one of the oustanding fruit researchers in the United States," said Oakes. "His research on planting systems and the economic rationales behind them has attracted a lot of interest and respect from far beyond the borders of New York."
Robinson's academic appointment includes both research and extension activities. He works closely with Cornell colleagues, including Cummins, Alan Lakso, and Steve Hoying, in research on orchard system and rootstocks. He has always been willing to share his expertise with fruit growers, and has extended the information from his research trials to the fruit industry of New York and other North American fruit districts, helping growers integrate information on variety, rootstock, spacing, training systems, cultural practices and pest control into economically viable production systems. He received his Ph.D. in 1984 from Washington State University and began his career at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station the same year.
The IDFTA is a 1,200-member organization, founded in 1958, whose purposes are to promote the use and development of dwarfing rootstocks, and exchange ideas about modern fruit tree culture.
The IDFTA presented its Outstanding Grower Award of 1997 to Guy Ligonniere, a second generation owner/manager of Davodeau-Ligonniere Nursery in Angers, France. The awards were presented at the organization's annual meeting which was held in Rochester, NY, at the end of February.
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