Purdue Pomology Lab – Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture

 Welcome to the lab of Dr. Peter Hirst

In our progr​am we work on the biology and management of fruit trees, primarily apple.

The primary focus of our research is in 2 main areas:

  • Tree Architecture. A more complete understanding of tree form has many applications in the areas of pruning, tree modeling, and automation of orchard practices
  • Fruit Development. We are studying each phase of the two year fruit development process, starting with transition of buds from vegetative to floral, followed by pollination and fruit growth.

We collaborate broadly across disciplines including engineering and computer graphics and have good relationships with programs around the world. Lab members hail from many countries and bring a diverse cultural and educational background to the lab.