Thomas Kon

Dr. Thomas Kon is an Assistant Professor at NC State University, affiliated with the Department of Horticultural Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. His role is split 80% research and 20% extension, serving the southeastern apple industry (NC, SC, and GA). He leads an integrated research and extension program addressing technological needs in orchard management.

Education:

• PhD in Horticulture, The Pennsylvania State University (2016)
• MS in Horticulture, The Pennsylvania State University (2012)
• BS in Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2009)

Research focuses on enhancing orchard sustainability through crop load and canopy management, pruning systems, rootstock evaluations, mechanization, pre-harvest drop control, and fruit quality improvement. Innovations include reflective fabrics for color enhancement, thermal shock for blossom thinning, and digital tools like reflectance spectroscopy and computer vision for precision agriculture.

His work integrates physiological, environmental, and economic analyses to inform producer recommendations. Recent advancements include predictive models for fruit set and tools to optimize labor efficiency through non-destructive testing and mechanization.

Grants and collaborations support his multi-state NC-140 rootstock trials and development of PACMAN (Precision Apple Crop Load Management) frameworks. He actively engages in graduate education, mentoring students in horticultural production and postharvest physiology.