Position Title
In Memoriam
Professor of Pomology, Emeritus
1917-2008
KIYOTO "KAY" URIU
Birth: May 25, 1917, Berryessa, California
Death: May 11, 2008, Davis, California
Education
- B.S., University of California, Davis. 1949
- M.S., University of California, Davis, 1950
- Ph.D., Pomology, University of California, Davis, 1954
Employment
- Professor of Pomology, UC Davis, 1956–1987
- Emeritus Professor of Pomology, UC Davis, 1987–2008
Honors, Awards, and Professional Societies
- Outstanding Undergraduate Educator Award, American Society for Horticultural Science, 1987
Research Contributions and Impact
Uriu was internationally recognized for his research in mineral nutrition, irrigation, and water relations of deciduous fruit trees, with emphasis on cherries, prunes, apples, walnuts, almonds, and peaches. He was a world authority in diagnosing mineral nutrient deficiencies and imbalances through foliar symptoms and helped establish critical nutrient element values in leaves, which remain widely used in orchard management.
He was a pioneer in the development and adoption of low-volume irrigation systems in California orchards. His research, which compared water use under flood and drip irrigation systems and addressed potassium deficiency in prunes, laid the foundation for today’s water-efficient orchard practices.
Teaching and Mentorship
Uriu was a highly regarded educator, recognized for his excellence in undergraduate teaching and his effectiveness in short courses, grower meetings, and farm advisor trainings. He was known for his dedication, often revising lectures late into the night to ensure clarity and rigor. Students valued his fairness, patience, and generosity with his time and expertise.
Collaboration and Community
Uriu was a vital link between UC Davis Pomology, Cooperative Extension, and the fruit industry. He worked closely with farm advisors, specialists, and growers to solve practical problems. His contributions to the UC Davis–University of Chile program in the 1970s significantly improved fruit production in Chile and enhanced UC Davis’s international reputation.
Legacy
Uriu’s research reshaped orchard water management and nutrient practices, resulting in reduced irrigation water use and improved fruit tree health. His teaching, mentorship, and extension work had a profound impact on students, growers, and advisors alike. He is remembered for his expertise, fairness, and dedication to problem-solving research that benefited agriculture worldwide.
References
For additional tributes, interviews, and biographies, see the following resources: