Fredrick A. Bliss, a widely respected geneticist and professor of pomology, has been appointed to chair the pomology department at the University of California, Davis, where fruit and nut crops have been studied and bred for nearly 50 years. He succeeds Professor Adel Kader who has returned to teaching, research and extension work after chairing the department for the past five years. "UC Davis is one of only three places in the nation where a separate department is devoted solely to fruit and nut crops," said Bliss, noting that 14 fruit and three nut crops are included in the department's research program. "The department has developed a good balance between basic and applied research, teaching and outreach. When appropriate, I would like to see us further integrate our research and extension into team efforts." Bliss came to UC Davis in 1988 to fill the Will W. Lester endowed chair in pomology. He had been a member of the horticulture faculty for 22 years at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he was highly recognized for his research on genetic improvement of the common bean. At Davis, Bliss studies the genetic relationships among stone fruits, which include peaches, apricots and cherries. He hopes to use this information, along with classical breeding and genetic engineering techniques, to improve fruit and nut trees. Now in its 48th year on the UC Davis campus, the Department of Pomology addresses questions regarding the physiology and production of fruit and nut crops, post-harvest handling of fresh fruits and the management and use of genetic resources for crop improvement. Historically, the department has played an important role in the development of California's fresh- and processed-fruit industry. For example, numerous strawberry varieties have been developed and patented by department researchers, improving the quality of the fruit, increasing its growing season and multiplying the statewide strawberry yield. Ongoing research in the department -- in areas such as gene transfer in walnut trees, post-harvest-physiology, and improved fertilizer and water use -- promises to produce similar improvements for industry in terms of better fruit and nut trees, Bliss noted. "We work to coordinate our research with the needs of growers and consumers," he said. "While applied research answers many immediate questions, we must also look to basic research to lead us to new concepts and approaches we might never have considered." The Department of Pomology includes 26 faculty members stationed at the Davis campus and at the Kearney Agricultural Center near Fresno.