Faculty

SCOTT JOHNSON Kearney Agricultural Center (KAC) 9240 Riverbend Road Parlier, CA 93648 (559) 646-6547 sjohnson@uckac.edu

Ph.D. (1982) Pomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York  Membership in Graduate Groups:  Horticulture & Agronomy   More Information: Kearney Ag. Center  Fresh Market Stone Fruit Kiwifruit Asian Pear Apple

I am the Extension Specialist for apples, kiwifruit, fresh shipping peaches, nectarines and plums. My responsibilities include the coordination of research and extension activities for these commodities by acting as a liaison between Farm Advisors and the Pomology Department and between the fresh fruit industry and the University of California.  My research has focused on improving the efficiency of cultural practices in stone fruit production. Under this general objective are four areas that I have concentrated on:

* Reduction of tree size with dwarfing rootstocks.
* Nitrogen fertilization practices for good fruit size and quality and minimal ground water contamination.
* Withholding of water during certain periods of the season when fruit growth and subsequent yield are not adversely affected.
* Studies with early and late season peaches on the response of fruit size and yield to thinning level and time.

The objective of all these studies is to improve the efficiency of a grower's operations by reducing his inputs of labor, fertilizer and water without adversely affecting yield and fruit quality.