Peter M. Hirst Associate Professor Ph.D. Area of Interest: Pomology E-mail: CV

 

Pomology

As state tree fruit specialist, I have interests in a broad spectrum of areas related to tree fruit research and extension. My specific research interests fall into 3 main areas:

1. Fruit size in apple. Obviously fruit size is the product of cell number, cell size and intercellular space. Our current research is examining what makes a big apple big and a small apple small. We are looking at the processes involved and what genes control those processes.

2. Factors regulating flowering in apple. The overall objective is to study various factors which influence flower initiation and differentiation, and elucidate the mechanisms by which such influences operate. Greater understanding of these processes has implications for managing biennial bearing and for characterizing the relationship between flower quality and fruit growth.

3. Apple rootstock physiology. Rootstocks are a tool used widely in fruit production and have profound influences on tree growth and development, however the underlying physiology behind these effects is not well understood. The approach used to date has involved a multiple grafting technique to separate the effects of rootstock, interstock and the graft union on growth, flowering, dry matter partitioning and root architecture.

3.

Teaching

Primary responsibility for HORT 413, Tree Fruit Production. This covers the principles and practices of tree fruit production including orchard establishment, cultural management, fruit growth and quality, and aspects of the post harvest physiology of temperate fruits.

Selected Publications (last 5 years)

Rieghard, G.L., R. Andersen, J. Anderson, W. Autio, T. Beckman, T. Baker, R. Belding, G. Brown, P. Byers, W. Cowgill, D. Deyton, E. Durner, A. Erb, D. Ferree, A. Gaus, R. Godin, R. Hayden, P. Hirst, S. Kadir, M. Kaps, H. Larsen, T. Lindstrom, N. Miles, F. Morrison, S. Myers, D. Ouellette, C. Rom, W. Shane, B. Taylor, K. Taylor, C. Walsh, and M. Warmund. 2004. Eight-year performance of 19 peach rootstocks at 20 locations in North America. J. Amer. Pom. Soc. 58(4):174-202.

Shupert, D., A.P. Smith, J. Janick, P.B. Goldsbrough and P.M. Hirst. 2004. Segregation of scab resistance in three apple populations: molecular marker and phenotypic analysis. HortScience 39(6): 1183-1184.

Hoover, E., N. De Silva, S. McArtney and P. Hirst. 2004. Bud development and floral morphogenesis in four apple cultivars. J. Hortic. Sci and Biotech. 79: 981-984.

Hirst, P.M. 2002. Frost damage does not predispose apple fruitlets to the effects of chemical thinners. Hort Technology 12(1): 1-3.

Autio, W.R., J.L. Anderson, J.A. Barden, G.R. Brown, R.M. Crassweller, P.A. Domoto, W.A. Erb, D.C. Ferree, A. Gaus, P.M. Hirst, C.A. Mullins, and J.R. Schupp. 2001. Performance of 'Golden Delicious', 'Jonagold', 'Empire', and 'Rome Beauty' apple trees on five rootstocks over ten years in the 1990 NC-140 apple cultivar/rootstock trial. J. Amer. Pom. Soc. 55(3):131-137.

Autio, W. R., J. L. Anderson, J. A. Barden, G. R. Brown, R. M. Crassweller, P. A. Domoto, A. Erb, D. C. Ferree, A. Gaus, P. M. Hirst, C. A. Mullins, and J. R. Schupp. 2001. Location affects performance of 'Golden Delicious', 'Jonagold', 'Empire', and 'Rome Beauty' apple trees on five rootstocks over ten years in the 1990 NC-140 cultivar/rootstock trial. J. Amer. Pom. Soc. 55(3):138-145.

Domoto, P.A., W.R. Autio, G.R. Brown, D.C. Ferree, P.M. Hirst, C.A. Mullins and J.R. Schupp. 2001. Blackheart innjury in 'Golden Delicious', 'Jonagold', 'Empire', and 'Rome Beauty' apple trees on five rootstocks over ten years in the 1990 NC-140 cultivar/rootstock trial. J. Amer. Pom. Soc. 55(3):146-153.

Hirst, P.M., W.R. Autio, J.A. Barden, G.R. Brown, R.M. Crassweller, P.A. Domoto and J.R. Schupp. 2001. Performance of trees in the 1990 NC-140 cultivar/rootstock planting: additional cultivars and rootstocks. J. Amer. Pom. Soc. 55(3):178-184.

McArtney, S.J., E.M. Hoover, P.M. Hirst and I.R. Brooking. 2001. Seasonal variation in the onset and duration of flower development within apple buds cv. 'Royal Gala'. J. Hort Sci and Biotech. 76(4): 536-540.

Rieghard, G.L., J.L. Anderson, R. Anderson, W. Autio, T. Beckman, R. Belding, G. Brown, W. Cowgill, D. Deyton, E. Durner, A. Erb, A. Gaus, P. Hirst, M. Kaps, N. Miles, F. Morrison, S. Myers, R. Perry, C.R. Rom, W. Shane, B. Taylor, K. Taylor, C. Walsh, and M. Warmund. 2001. Five-year performance of 19 peach rootstocks at 20 sites in North America. Acta Hort. 557: 97-102.

Hirst, P.M. and NC-140 cooperators. 2001. Early performance of 'Gala' on 18 dwarf and 4 semi-dwarf rootstocks growing at 24 sites in North America. Acta Hort. 557: 199-205.

Autio, W.R., J.L. Anderson, J.A. Barden, G.R. Brown, R.M. Crassweller, L.D. Tukey, P.A. Domoto, W.A. Erb, F. Morrison, D.C. Ferree, A. Gaus, P.M. Hirst, R.A Hayden, C.A. Mullins, J.R. Schupp. 2001. Rootstock and scion interact to affect apple tree performance: results from the 1990 NC-140 cultivar/rootstock trial. Acta Hort. 557: 41-46.

Marini, R.P., J.L. Anderson, B.H. Barritt, G.R. Brown, J.A. Cline, W.P. Cowgill, P.A. Domoto, D.C. Ferree, J.M. Garner, G.M. Greene, C.R. Hampson, P.M. Hirst, M.M. Kushad, E. Meilke, C.A. Mullins, M.L. Parker, R.L. Perry, J.P. Privé, G.L. Reighard, T.L. Robinson, C.R. Rom, T. Roper, J.R. Schupp, E. Stover, and C.R. Unrath. 2000. Performance of 'Gala' on four semi-dwarf rootstocks: Five-year summary of the 1994 NC-140 semi-dwarf rootstock trial. J. Amer. Pom. Soc. 54(2):84-91.

Marini, R.P., J.L. Anderson, B.H. W.R. Autio, Barritt, J.A. Cline, W.P. Cowgill, R.M. Crassweller, P.A. Domoto, D.C. Ferree, J.M. Garner, A. Gaus, G.M. Greene, C.R. Hampson, P.M. Hirst, M.M. Kushad, E. Meilke, C.A. Mullins, M.L. Parker, R.L. Perry, J.P. Privé, G.L. Reighard, T.L. Robinson, C.R. Rom, T. Roper, J.R. Schupp, E. Stover, C.R. Unrath. 2000. Performance of 'Gala' on 18 dwarf rootstocks: Five-year summary of the 1994 NC-140 semi-dwarf rootstock trial. 2000. J. Amer. Pom. Soc. 54(2):92-107.

Hirst, P.M. and R.R. Flowers. 2000. Rootstock effects on growth and cell size of 'Gala' apple fruit. Acta Hort. 517:189-194.