Kirk W. Pomper Education B.S., Horticulture, University of Minnesota, 1985 M.S., Horticulture, University of Minnesota, 1989 Ph.D. Horticulture, Oregon State University, 1995 kpomper@gwmail.kysu.edu

Research Focus

• Pawpaw: The native American tree fruit, pawpaw (Asimina triloba), is being investigated for its potential as a new commercial crop. Pawpaw research efforts are currently directed at variety trials, orchard production methods, and propagation techniques. A pawpaw information web site and an annual pawpaw field day have been developed to help in the dissemination of information about pawpaw to the public. The USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository for Asimina species is located at KSU; therefore, germplasm assessment and collection are also important additional components in the KSU research program. A molecular genetics laboratory has been established to allow the development of molecular marker systems for the creation of linkage maps and to examine pawpaw genetic diversity.
• Gooseberries and Currants: Gooseberries and currants may serve as excellent alternative crops for small farmers in Kentucky. In the spring of 1999, research was initiated on currants and gooseberries to investigate their potential as high-value crops for Kentucky. Gooseberries and white currants have unique flavors and have excellent fresh market and processing potential. Red and black currants are very nutritious, being high in vitamin C, and have excellent processing potential.

Current Projects

• Pawpaw: Ongoing field and greenhouse research projects include: variety trials, orchard production methods, clonal and seedling propagation techniques, and germplasm collection and assessment. Laboratory research projects include: the identification of molecular markers for assessing pawpaw genetic diversity and the creation of linkage maps in controlled pawpaw crosses. Cooperative research projects are being conducted with Dr. Robert Geneve concerning in vitro clonal propagation of pawpaw and with Dr. Douglas Archbold on pawpaw postharvest physiology, both are researchers at the University of Kentucky.
• Gooseberries and Currants: Plantings of over a dozen cultivars of gooseberries and currants were established in the spring of 1999, and yield and disease resistance will be evaluated.

Support Staff

• Snake Jones, Research Assistant
• Eddie Reed, Research Assistant
• Tera Bonney, Graduate Student
• Shawn Brown, Research Assistant
• Sheri Crabtree, Research Assistant

Student Involvement

Undergraduate students who are interested in learning molecular biology techniques, usually those interested in biomedical careers, or are interested in projects involving plant growth and development, have received training in Horticulture Program’s laboratory. This "hands on" research experience may be taken for credit as BIO 410: Special Problems in Biology (Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. A course in which advanced Biology students who demonstrate ability and interest in the field pursue an independent experimental or library research project. May be repeated once for credit).

Preparing DNA in the laboratory	Pawpaw fruit cluster	Pawpaw flower and developing fruit cluster	Pawpaw orchards at the KYSU research farm	Ripe pawpaw fruit, cut open	Gooseberry

Recent Publications

Pomper, K.W., D.R. Layne, and R.N. Peterson. 1999. The pawpaw regional variety trial, pp.353-357. In J. Janick (ed). Perspectives on New Crops and New Uses. ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA.

Grusak, M.A. and K.W. Pomper. 1999. Influence of pod stomatal density and pod transpiration on the calcium concentration of snap bean pods. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci.124:194-198.

Pomper, K.W., A.N. Azarenko, N. Bassil, J.W. Davis, and S.A. Mehlenbacher. 1998. Identification of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers for self- incompatibility alleles in Corylus avellana L. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 97:479-487.

Pomper, K.W., and P.J. Breen. 1997. Expansion and osmotic adjustment of strawberry fruit during water-stress. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 122:183-189.

Pomper, K.W., and P.J. Breen. 1996. The effect of cell turgor on sugar uptake in developing strawberry fruit. Physiologia Plantarum. 96:324-332.

Pomper, K.W., and P.J. Breen. 1995. Levels of apoplastic solutes in developing strawberry fruit. Journal of Experimental Botany. 46:743-753.

Professional Experience

Principal Investigator of Horticulture, Kentucky State University, 1998-present. Pawpaw research (90%), gooseberries and currants (10%).

Curator, The USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository for Asimina species,1998-present. Kentucky State University, Frankfort Kentucky.

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Horticulture, University of Kentucky, 1998-present. Tree fruit physiology and molecular genetics.

Post-doctoral Research Associate, USDA-ARS, Children's Nutrition Research Center, 1996-1998. Examination of the transport and storage of calcium in green bean pods; increasing bioavalable calcium levels to benefit the nutritional needs of humans.

Post-doctoral Researcher, Oregon State University, 1995-1996. Identification of molecular markers for self-incompatibility alleles in hazelnut.

Links to other sites

The Pawpaw Home Page

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