Position Title
In Memoriam
Professor Emeritus of Plant Sciences
1933-2023
GEORGE CONNER MARTIN
Birth: September 15, 1933, San Francisco, California
Death: July 13, 2023, McKinleyville, California
Education
- B.S., Vegetable Crops, California State Polytechnic College, 1955
- M.S., Horticulture, Purdue University, 1960
- Ph.D., Plant Physiology, Purdue University, 1962
Military Service
- U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Lieutenant, 5th Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1955–1958
Employment
- Research Plant Physiologist, USDA Fruit Laboratory, Wenatchee, Washington, 1962–1967
- Faculty, Department of Pomology, University of California, Davis, 1967–1995
- Professor Emeritus, Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, 1995–2023
Honors, Awards, and Professional Societies
- Fellow, American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), 1977
- President, American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), 1989–1990
- Recipient of multiple ASHS awards, including Outstanding Researcher (1987), Outstanding Fruit Publication (1992), Wilson Popenoe Excellence in Research (1982), Stark Award (1980), and Joseph Harvey Gourley Award in Pomology (1971)
- Member, International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS)
- Member, American Society of Plant Physiologists (ASPP)
- Member, Plant Growth Regulation Society of America (PGRSA)
Research Contributions and Impact
George Martin’s research advanced the use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) in fruit and nut production. He investigated methods to reduce labor demands by regulating fruit number and promoting abscission for mechanical harvest. His long-term international collaborations with scientists in Israel, Italy, and the United Kingdom focused on hormonal control of fruit abscission. Sabbaticals in the UK and Oregon furthered his expertise in gibberellic and abscisic acids, improving laboratory techniques and practical applications. His work contributed to a better understanding of fruit and leaf abscission and advanced California’s horticultural practices.
Publications and Scholarly Leadership
Martin published more than 130 peer-reviewed articles. He was widely recognized as a leading authority on pomology and PGRs, and his professional service included leadership within ASHS and international horticultural organizations. His welcoming personality drew visiting scientists from around the world to UC Davis, expanding the global reach of pomology research.
Teaching and Mentorship
At UC Davis, Martin co-taught General Pomology and organized summer tours of California’s fruit and nut industries for graduate students, bridging academic study with practical field research. He mentored many graduate students, encouraging them to address real-world challenges with resilience and creativity. His mentorship style fostered both professional achievement and lifelong friendships.
Collaboration and Community
Martin founded and led UC’s first ANR commodity working group, focused on walnuts and PGRs, a model later adopted for other crops. He was also deeply engaged in athletics, serving briefly as coach of the UC Davis track team, teaching sport physiology, and creating a weekly running group. Known across Davis for his daily runs and cycling, he integrated personal discipline with community engagement.
Legacy
George Martin’s legacy lies in his scientific contributions to pomology, his leadership within professional societies, and his commitment to teaching and mentorship. His integration of laboratory research, international collaboration, and practical applications strengthened horticultural science in California and beyond.