Vito S. Polito

VITO S. POLITO

Birth: December 24, 1945, Yonkers, New York
Death: October 2023, Berkeley, California

Education

• B.A., Biology, Sonoma State University, 1973
• Ph.D., Botany, University of California, Davis, 1979

Military Service

• U.S. Army Photographer, Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, 1967–1969

Employment

• UC Davis
  • Assistant Professor, Departments of Pomology and Viticulture & Enology
  • Professor, Department of Pomology,1980s–2004
  • Chair, Department of Pomology, 2002–2004
  • Co-chair, UC Davis Olive Center, 2008 onward
  • Professor, Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis, 2004–2013
  • Professor Emeritus, Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis, 2013–2023

Research Contributions and Impact

Professor Polito’s research focused on the reproductive biology of fruit and nut trees, including olive, almond, walnut, pistachio, kiwifruit, peach, pear, cherry, prune, and apple. His studies spanned flowering, pollen development, pollination, fruit set, and reproductive maturation.

He contributed seminal work on issues such as pistillate flower abortion in walnut, bud differentiation in almonds and stone fruits, fruit doubling in cherries and peaches, and pollen incompatibility in almond cultivars. His research provided actionable recommendations for growers and advanced both basic and applied science, particularly through the use of emerging microscopy techniques and immunocytochemistry. His work had a significant impact on California agriculture by addressing practical challenges in tree crop productivity.

Publications and Scholarly Leadership

Polito authored numerous influential publications that remain central to the current understanding of pomological crop biology. His studies clarified fundamental botanical questions while offering solutions to applied agricultural problems, reinforcing the bridge between academic research and grower needs.

Teaching and Mentorship

Polito taught undergraduate and graduate courses in pomology and reproductive biology, mentored many graduate students, and assisted colleagues and visiting scientists with advanced microscopy techniques. He was widely respected for his willingness to share expertise and his role in training the next generation of scientists.

Collaboration and Community

Beyond research and teaching, Polito worked extensively with growers, farm advisors, and agricultural industries, frequently giving clear and practical presentations at grower meetings. His university service included leadership in academic planning and administration. Notably, he guided the successful 2004 merger of four departments into the unified Department of Plant Sciences.

Legacy

Vito Polito leaves a legacy as a scientist, mentor, and leader. His pioneering research in reproductive biology improved agricultural practices for California’s tree crops, while his leadership helped shape UC Davis Plant Sciences into a stronger, integrated department. Through his service as co-chair of the UC Davis Olive Center, he also advanced olive and olive oil research, strengthening California’s role in global olive production.

References

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

• University of California Academic Senate
• Google Scholar