Paul G. Smith

Profile photo of Professor Emeritus Paul G Smith

In Memoriam
Professor Emeritus of Vegetable Crops
1915-2006

PAUL G. SMITH

Birth: 1915
Death: January 23, 2006

Education

  • Ph.D., Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin

Employment

  • Professor, Department of Vegetable Crops (now part of the Department of Plant Sciences) 1945-1980s

Honors, Awards, and Professional Societies

  • Honored posthumously at the 25th International Pepper Conference in 2022
  • Inducted into the International Pepper Conference Hall of Fame
  • Widely acknowledged authority on pepper taxonomy and genetics

Research Contributions and Impact

Paul G. Smith made foundational contributions to plant breeding, particularly in peppers, tomatoes, and spinach. His pioneering research in Capsicum genetics led to the development of key market classes and disease-resistant varieties still in use today. He released pepper varieties such as ‘Caloro’ and ‘Summer Sunshine,’ and identified resistance to Phytophthora capsici, a trait incorporated into many commercial varieties. In tomatoes, he was among the first to hybridize cultivated varieties with Solanum peruvianum, enabling the transfer of nematode resistance—a breakthrough still crucial to modern cultivars. His work also addressed downy mildew in spinach, effectively eliminating it as a barrier to commercial production.

Publications and Scholarly Leadership

Smith contributed to UC Agricultural Experiment Station reports and was featured in 100 Years of Plant Breeding, where his work on Capsicum taxonomy and fruit color genetics was recognized. He described a new species of pepper from Peru and helped define crossing relationships among Capsicum species.

Collaboration and Community

Smith’s influence extended beyond academia through his collaboration with growers, breeders, and Cooperative Extension. His germplasm collections and genetic models continue to support breeding programs worldwide, helping address persistent challenges in crop disease resistance.

Legacy

Paul G. Smith’s legacy in plant breeding and genetics is enduring. His innovations in pepper and tomato breeding laid the scientific groundwork for contemporary practices in disease resistance and varietal development. The continued global use of his methods and germplasm collections testifies to his long-lasting impact on agricultural science.

References

For additional tributes, interviews, and biographies, see the following resources: