Tom Kon

Bio

Dr. Kon’s program seeks to develop and deliver research-based solutions to improve orchard practices and enhance the economic and environmental sustainability of the southeastern apple industry. To meet this goal, specific objectives include:

1. to develop and evaluate novel apple crop load management programs, products, and decision-making aids,
2. to develop and evaluate technologies to manage vegetative growth throughout the life of the orchard, especially during orchard establishment, and
3. maximize fruit quality and storage potential, and manage labor through new technologies, non-destructive testing, and predictive models.

Physiological effects, environmental interactions, and/or economic consequences of orchard management decisions are determined, reported, and integrated into recommendations for apple producers.

Area(s) of Expertise

Dr. Kon (80% research; 20% extension) serves the southeastern apple industry (NC, SC, and GA). He is currently developing an integrated research and extension program to address the technological needs of the southeastern apple industry.

Research interests include: crop load and canopy management, pruning and training systems, rootstock evaluations, mechanization of orchard practices, pre-harvest drop control, and cultural/chemical practices to improve fruit quality.

Publications

• Leader Bagging Improves Lateral Branching and Cropping Potential of 'Gala' and 'WA 38' Apple during Orchard Establishment , HORTSCIENCE (2024)
• Aminoethoxyvinylglycine Reduces Preharvest Fruit Drop and Fruit Ethylene Evolution in 'Red Delicious' Apple but Affects Fruit Size and Quality Inconsistently , HORTSCIENCE (2023)
• Enhancing Red Fruit Coloration of Apples in the Southeastern US with Reflective Fabrics , HORTICULTURAE (2023)
• Evaluation of Computer Vision Systems and Applications to Estimate Trunk Cross-Sectional Area, Flower Cluster Number, Thinning Efficacy and Yield of Apple , HORTICULTURAE (2023)
• Organic Aminoethoxyvinylglycine Is an Effective Alternative for Reducing Apple Preharvest Drop , HORTSCIENCE (2023)
• Quantification and Prediction with Near Infrared Spectroscopy of Carbohydrates throughout Apple Fruit Development , HORTICULTURAE (2023)
• Studies in precision crop load management of apple , XXXI INTERNATIONAL HORTICULTURAL CONGRESS, IHC2022: INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON INNOVATIVE PERENNIAL CROPS MANAGEMENT (2023)
• Vis/NIR spectroscopy is a promising tool to predict fruit set and chemical thinner response , XXXI INTERNATIONAL HORTICULTURAL CONGRESS, IHC2022: III INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON MECHANIZATION, PRECISION HORTICULTURE, AND ROBOTICS: PRECISION AND DIGITAL HORTICULTURE IN FIELD ENVIRONMENTS (2023)
• Xylem Functionality Is Not a Direct Indicator of Apple Preharvest Fruit Drop , JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE (2023)
• Evaluation of Blossom Thinning Spray Timing Strategies in Apple , HORTICULTURAE (2021)

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