Pomology

Pomology

Pomology (from Latin "pomum" (fruit) + "-logy") is a branch of botany that studies and cultivates fruits.

The pomological researches are mainly focused on the development of and the cultural techniques and physiological studies in fruit trees. The goals of fruit tree improvement include enhancement of fruit quality, regulation of production periods, and reduction of production cost.

Pomology has been an important area of research since the early years of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). During the mid-1800s, farmers were expanding fruit orchard programs in response to growing markets. At the same time, horticulturists from the USDA and agricultural colleges were bringing new varieties to the United States from foreign expeditions, and developing experimental tracts for these fruits. In response to this increased interest and activity, 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 to disseminate research findings to fruit growers and breeders through special publications and annual reports.

The introduction of new varieties required exact representations of the fruit so that plant breeders could accurately document and disseminate their research results. Since the use of scientific photography was not widespread in the late 19th Century, USDA commissioned artists to create watercolor illustrations of newly introduced cultivars. Many of the watercolors were used for lithographic reproductions in USDA publications, such as the Report of the Pomologist and the Yearbook of Agriculture.

Today, the collection of approximately 7,700 watercolors is preserved in National Agricultural Library's Special Collections, where it serves as a major historic and botanic resource to a variety of researchers, including horticulturists, historians, artists, and publishers. [http://riley.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=8&tax_level=4&tax_subject=158&topic_id=1982&level3_id=6419&level4_id=10924&level5_id=0&placement_default=0&test]

See also

* Olericulture
* Floriculture
* Horticulture


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  • Pomology — Po*mol o*gy, n. [L. pomum fruit + logy: cf. F. pomologie.] The science of fruits; a treatise on fruits; the cultivation of fruits and fruit trees. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • pomology — [pō mäl′ə jē] n. [ModL pomologia: see POME & LOGY] the science of fruit cultivation pomological [pōmə läj′i kəl] adj. pomologist n …   English World dictionary

  • pomology — pomologija statusas T sritis ekologija ir aplinkotyra apibrėžtis Mokslas, tiriantis vaismedžių ir uogakrūmių veisles. atitikmenys: angl. pomology vok. Pomologie, f rus. помология, f …   Ekologijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • Pomology committee — Pomologijos komisija statusas Aprobuotas sritis augalininkystė apibrėžtis Komisija, nustatanti sodo augalų veislių tapatybę, grynumą, pomologinę vertę ir galimus veislių pokyčius. atitikmenys: angl. Pomology committee šaltinis Lietuvos… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • pomology — noun Etymology: New Latin pomologia, from Latin pomum fruit + logia logy Date: 1818 the science and practice of growing fruit • pomological adjective • pomologist noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • pomology — pomological /poh meuh loj i keuhl/, adj. pomologically, adv. pomologist, n. /poh mol euh jee/, n. the science that deals with fruits and fruit growing. [1810 20; < NL pomologia. See POME, O , LOGY] * * * …   Universalium

  • pomology — noun a) The study of pome fruit and of the cultivation of such fruit. b) The study of fruit in general and of the cultivation of fruit …   Wiktionary

  • pomology — study of fruit growing Sciences and Studies …   Phrontistery dictionary

  • pomology — pəʊ mÉ‘lÉ™dʒɪ / mÉ’l n. science of fruits and the cultivation of fruit …   English contemporary dictionary

  • pomology — [pə(ʊ) mɒlədʒi] noun the science of fruit growing. Derivatives pomological adjective pomologist noun Origin C19: from L. pomum fruit + logy …   English new terms dictionary

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