Newspaper Article 1994 – World recognition for HB scientist

World recognition for HB scientist

HortResearch scientist Stuart Tustin, Havelock North, has received international recognition for his research into apple production and his efforts to pass that knowledge on to growers.

Dr Tustin was named 1994 Distinguished Researcher by the International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association at its annual conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The association brings together scientists and commercial growers involved in temperate deciduous fruit tree research and production. The organisation evolved out of a desire to improve communication between researchers and users of rootstocks to control the growth and development, and therefore improve the economic performance, of orchards.

Dr Tustin said the use of rootstocks to control growth and vigour represented one of the most important technological advances in fruit tree production of the past 50 years. It is highly developed in the apple industry, less so for stone fruit and pears.

“It’s rather nice that the award recognises not just the straight scientific output but, importantly, seeing the results adopted by the commercial sector,” he said.

Dr Tustin has worked as a pipfruit physiologist for HortResearch (formerly DSIR) since 1984. Prior to that he was involved in a family fruitgrowing business and was a research officer at Massey University.

Much of his pipfruit research has focused on the development of the now widely used Slender Pyramid tree management system. He said New Zealand research into rootstocks and tree management methods had attracted international interest for its independent thinking and obvious benefits to productivity.

This research had resulted in vastly improved fruit quality and significantly larger crops of export-quality fruit early in the life of the orchard.

Photo caption – Dr Tustin