USDA ARS Honors Four Experts as Science Hall of Fame

The U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) hailed four scientists as ARS Science Hall of Fame to acknowledge their discoveries in the fields of genomics, sustainable farming, fruit tree breeding, air quality, climate change, and crop mineral nutrition. These scientists are Leon V. Kochian, Donald R. Ort, Ralph Scorza, and Scott R. Yates.

Kochian has made significant contributions on adaptation of cereal crops to marginal soils, especially those with mineral deficiencies. Ort unravelled how changes in atmospheric composition due to climate change will affect biochemical processes related to plant development, photosynthesis, water use, and crop yields. Scorza pioneered research on genetically engineering fruit tree structure, developing new stone fruit varieties, and improving woody perennial fruit species through biotechnology. Yates had made breakthroughs in reducing the harmful effects of soil fumigation used for controlling pests in high-valued crops such as strawberries, vegetables, tree fruits and nuts, and in mitigating the atmospheric emissions from such fumigants.

"The extraordinary contributions of these four scientists have had a significant impact on food and agriculture worldwide," said ARS Administrator Chavonda Jacobs-Young. "Their outstanding accomplishments demonstrate commitment, knowledge and perseverance and exemplify the values that have made ARS the premier agricultural research organization that it is today."

Read the media release from USDA ARS.