Postharvest scientist honoured by NZIAHS
Plant & Food Research scientist Dr Jeremy Burdon has
been awarded a Fellowship of the New Zealand Institute of
Agricultural and Horticultural Science in recognition of his
longstanding contributions to postharvest science that
supports New Zealand's fresh fruit industries, particularly
kiwifruit and avocado.
Dr Burdon is a leading postharvest scientist well respected by industry and academic peers. Over a career spanning 30 years, he has consistently demonstrated outstanding skills in innovative thinking and scientific excellence in partnering science with business. He is especially noted for the science underpinning the successful commercialisation of new kiwifruit cultivars and his practical advice to packhouse and coolstore operators.
Dr Burdon began his career in the UK and has worked at the Natural Resources Institute in the UK and the Agricultural Research Organisation’s Volcani Centre in Israel before joining the Postharvest Group of HortResearch, the predecessor of Plant & Food Research, in 1995.
His
major achievements include being involved in the development
of the KiwiStart early season programme for the
‘Hayward’ kiwifruit variety and the commercialisation of
‘Hort16A’, marketed as Zespri® Gold Kiwifruit. More
recently, he has facilitated the commercialisation of
‘Zesy002’, commonly known as Gold3 and marketed as
Zespri® SunGold Kiwifruit, following the demise of
‘Hort16A’ because of the bacterial disease Psa. Dr
Burdon has also provided essential support to the avocado
industry by applying expertise which started with his
avocado research in
Israel.