Gregory Peck
Associate Professor, School of Integrative Plant Science Horticulture Section
My research addresses the challenges of sustainably and profitably producing tree fruits. In the course of my career, I have conducted research in fruit-crop production systems in California, Washington, New York, and Virginia. My academic training spans horticulture, plant physiology, soil science, entomology, food science, plant pathology, ecology, agricultural economics, and education.
Research Focus
My research covers many different aspects of tree-fruit production, including: 1) identifying, phenotyping, and genotyping cider apple germplasm, 2) developing horticultural practices that improve hard cider quality, 3) sustainable soil and nutrient management practices, 4) increasing the efficiency of organic apple orchard production systems, and 5) improving crop-load management in apple trees through the use of a pollen tube growth model. The common thread among these research projects is the development of fruit production systems that facilitate the long-term economic and environmental viability of commercial tree-fruit growers.
Outreach and Extension Focus
I regularly interact with commercial growers, Cornell Cooperative Extension Educators, farm consultants, associated industry representatives, Master Gardeners, and homeowners at meetings and field days, and through email and telephone correspondence. I have published numbered extension publications on organic apple production and hard cider. My outreach activities also include websites, blogs, and social media tools.
Interests
Tree fruit and hard cider
Organic agriculture and soil health
Climate change
Awards & Honors
- 2019. American Cider Association. 2018 Grower Advocate of the Year.
- 2019. State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania. George A. Goodling Memorial Lecturer.
- 2018. American Society for Horticultural Science. Outstanding Extension Publication Award winner for papers published in 2017.
Courses Taught
- PLSCI 3350/5350: Sustainable Orchard Management
- PLSCI 4500/6500: Fruit Crop Physiology
- VIEN 2340: Cider Production Lecture
- VIEN: 4340 Cider Production Lab
- AGSCI 4960: Internship in Agricultural Sciences
- PLSCI 8900: Thesis Research, Master of Science
Publications in Chronological Order
Research Gate profile | Google Scholar profile
2021
- Krisha Kumar, S., N.C. Wojtyna, L. Dougherty, K. Xu, and G.M. Peck. 2021. Classifying cider apple germplasm using genetic markers for fruit acidity. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural science. 146(4):267–275. https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS05056-21
- Sharaf, H., A.A. Thompson, M. Williams, and G.M. Peck. 2021. Compost applications increase bacterial community diversity in the apple rhizosphere. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 85:1105–1121. https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.20251
- Peck, G.M. 2021. The Great Original Establishment, Prince’s Linnaean Botanic Garden and Nurseries. Journal of the American Pomological Society. 75(2):94-101.
- Peck, G.M., Zakalik, D. and M. Brown. 2021. Hard cider cultivars for New York. Fruit Quarterly. 29(1):30-34.
2020
- Karl, A.D., M.G. Brown, S. Ma, A. Sandbrook, A.C. Stewart, L. Cheng, A.K. Mansfield, and G.M. Peck. 2020. Foliar urea applications increase yeast assimilable nitrogen concentration and alcoholic fermentation rate in ‘Red Spy’ apples used for cider production. HortScience. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI15029-20
- Karl, A.D., M.G. Brown, S. Ma, A. Sandbrook, A.C. Stewart, L. Cheng, A.K. Mansfield, and G.M. Peck. 2020. Soil nitrogen fertilization increases yeast assimilable nitrogen concentrations in ‘Golden Russet’ and ‘Medaille d’Or’ apples used for cider production. HortScience. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI15028-20
- Song, Y.L., Gibney, P., Cheng, L., Shuwen, and G. Peck. 2020. Yeast assimilable nitrogen concentrations influences yeast gene expression and hydrogen sulfide production during cider fermentation. Frontiers in Microbiology 11(1264). https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.01264
- Miles, C.A., T.R. Alexander, G. Peck, S.P. Galinato, C. Gottschalk, and S. van Nocker. 2020. Growing apples for hard cider production in the U.S. - trends and research opportunities. HortTechnology (Published). https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04488-19
- Sherif, S., K.S. Yoder, and G.M. Peck. 2020. Effects of dwarfing and semi-dwarfing apple rootstocks on the growth and yield of Gala, Fuji and York apples. Acta Horticulturae 1281: 113-120. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2020.1281.17
2019
- Ma, S., S. Kim, A.P. Neilson, L.E. Griffin, G.M. Peck, S.F. O’Keefe, and A.C. Stewart. 2019. Comparison of common analytical methods for the quantification of total polyphenols and flavanols in fruit juices and ciders. Food Science 84(8):2147-2158. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.14713
- Thompson, A.A., M. Williams, and G.M. Peck. 2019. Compost and Geneva® series rootstocks increase young ‘Gala’ apple tree growth and change root-zone microbial communities. Scientia Horticulturae 256: 108573. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2019.108573
- Ewing, B.L., G.M. Peck, S. Ma, A.P. Neilson, and A.C. Stewart. 2019. Management of apple maturity and post-harvest storage conditions to increase flavanols in cider. HortScience 54(1):143-148. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI13473-18
2018
- Ma, S., A.P. Neilson, J. Lahne, G.M. Peck, S.F. O’Keefe, E.K. Hurley, A. Sandbook, and A.C. Stewart. 2018. Juice clarification with pectinase reduces yeast assimilable nitrogen in apple juice without affecting the polyphenol composition in cider. Journal of Food Science. 83(11):2772-2781 http://doi.org/ DOI:10.1111/1750-3841.14367
- Ma, S., A.P. Neilson, J. Lahne, G.M. Peck, S.F. O’Keefe, and A.C. Stewart. 2018. Free amino acid composition of apple juices with potential for cider making as determined by UPLC-PDA. Journal of the Institute of Brewing 124:467-476. https://doi.org/10.1002/jib.519
- DeLong C.N., K.S. Yoder, A.E. Cochran II, S.W. Kilmer, W.S. Royston, Jr., L.D. Combs, and G.M. Peck. 2018. Apple disease control and bloom thinning effects by lime sulfur, Regalia® and JMS Stylet-oil. Plant Health Progress 19(2):143-152.
- Boudreau IV, T.F., G.M. Peck, S.F. O’Keefe, and A.C. Stewart. 2018. Free amino nitrogen concentration correlates to total yeast assimilable nitrogen concentration in apple juice. Food Science and Nutrition 6(1):119-123. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.536
- Wolfe, D.W., A.T. DeGaetano, G.M. Peck, M. Carey, L.H. Ziska, J. Lea-Cox, A.R. Kemanian, M.P. Hoffmann, and D.Y. Hollinger. 2018. Unique challenges and opportunities for northeastern U.S. crop production in a changing climate. Climatic Change 146:231-245. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-017-2109-7
2017
- Granatstein, D. and G. Peck. 2017. Chapter 21: Assessing the environmental impact and sustainability of apple cultivation. In: Achieving Sustainable Cultivation of Apples (Ed: K. Evans). Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. Cambridge, UK.
- Thompson, A.A. and G.M. Peck. 2017. Alternative fertility management for establishing new apple orchards in the Mid-Atlantic. HortScience 52(9):1313-1319. 2017. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI11916-17
- Boudreau IV, T.F., G.M. Peck, S. Ma, N. Patrick, S. Duncan, S.F. O’Keefe, and A.C. Stewart. 2017. Hydrogen sulfide production during cider fermentation is moderated by pre-fermentation methionine addition. Journal of the Institute of Brewing 123:533-561. https://doi.org/10.1002/jib.449
- Peck, G.M., C.N. DeLong, L. Combs, and K.S. Yoder. 2017. Managing apple crop load and diseases with bloom thinning applications in an organically managed ‘Honeycrisp’/‘MM.111’ orchard. HortScience 52(3):377–381. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI11412-16 American Society for Horticultural Science Outstanding Extension Publication Award winner for papers published in 2017.
- Boudreau, T., G. Peck, S. O’Keefe, and A. Stewart. 2017. The interactive effect of fungicide residues and yeast assimilable nitrogen on fermentation kinetics and hydrogen sulfide production during cider fermentation. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 97(2):693-704. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.8096
2016
- DeLong, C.N., K.S. Yoder, L. Combs, R.E. Veilleux, and G.M. Peck. 2016. Apple pollen tube growth rates are regulated by parentage and environment. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 141(6):548–554. https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS03824-16
- Peck, G.M., M.N. McGuire, T.F. Boudreau, and A.C. Stewart. 2016. Crop load density affects ‘York’ apple juice and hard cider quality. HortScience 51(9)1098-1102. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI10962-16
- Peck, G.M., L.D. Combs, C. DeLong, and K.S. Yoder. 2016. Precision apple flower thinning using organically approved chemicals. Acta Horticulturae 1137:47-52. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2016.1137.7
2015
- Peck, G. and C. Miles. 2015. Assessing the production scale and research and extension needs of U.S. hard cider producers. Journal of Extension 53(5): Article 5FEA10. http://www.joe.org/joe/2015october/a10.php
- Biggs, A.R. and G.M. Peck. 2015. Managing bitter pit in ‘Honeycrisp’ apples grown in the Mid-Atlantic United States with foliar-applied calcium chloride and some alternatives. HortTechnology 25(3):385-391.
- Thompson-Witrick, K.A., K.M. Goodrich, A.P. Neilson, E.K. G.M. Peck, and A.S. Stewart. 2014. Characterization of the polyphenol composition of 20 cultivars of cider, processing, and dessert apples (Malus X domestica Borkh.) grown in Virginia. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 62:10181-10191. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf503379t
2005 - 2015
- Yoder, K.S., G.M. Peck, L.D. Combs, and R.E. Byers. 2013. Using a pollen tube growth model to improve bloom thinning for organic production. Acta Horticulturae 1001:207-214. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.1001.23
- Hoover, E., R. Marini, E. Tepe, W. Autio, A.R. Biggs, J.M. Clements, R. Crassweller, D. Foster, M. Foster, P. Hirst, D.D. Miller, M. Parker, G.M. Peck, J. Racsko, T. Robinson, and M. Warmund. 2012. eApples: A case study in using eXtension.org to increase access to research-based information. HortTechnology 22(5):576-579.
- Peck, G.M., I.A. Merwin, J.E. Thies, R.R. Schindelbeck, and M.G. Brown. 2011. Soil properties change during the transition to integrated and organic fruit production systems in a New York orchard. Applied Soil Ecology 48:18-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsoil.2011.02.008
- Peck, G.M., I.A. Merwin, M.G. Brown, and A.M. Agnello. 2010. Integrated and organic fruit production systems for ‘Liberty’ apple in the Northeast USA: a systems-based evaluation. HortScience 45(7):1038-1048.
- Peck, G.M. and I.A. Merwin. 2010. Multi-level comparisons of organic and integrated fruit production systems for ‘Liberty’ apple in New York. Acta Horticulturae 873:57-66. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2010.873.4
- Peck, G.M., I.A. Merwin, C.B. Watkins, K.W. Chapman, and O. Padilla-Zakour. 2009. Maturity and quality of ‘Liberty’ apple fruit under integrated and organic fruit production systems are similar. HortScience 44(5):1382-1389.
- Peck, G.M., P.K. Andrews, J.P. Reganold, and J.K. Fellman. 2006. Apple orchard productivity and fruit quality under organic, conventional, and integrated management. HortScience 41(1):99-107.
- Peck, G.M., P.K. Andrews, C. Richter, and J.P. Reganold. 2005. Internationalization of the organic fruit market: the case of Washington State’s organic apple exports to the European Union. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 20(2):101-112. https://doi.org/10.1079/RAF2004102
Contact Information
121 Plant Science
Ithaca, NY 14853
gmp32 [at] cornell.edu
More information
Affiliations
Gregory in the news
Multimedia
News
- School of Integrative Plant Science
- Horticulture Section
News
While New York’s farmers face more extreme weather events, they are learning to adapt, says a new statewide climate impacts assessment, led and written by two Cornell researchers.
- Soil
- Soil and Crop Sciences Section
- School of Integrative Plant Science