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Salter Award goes
to IPM researcher
Joseph Morse
To be chosen for the Albert G. Salter
Memorial Award is a singular
honor, and for 2012 that honor belongs
to research entomologist Dr. Joseph G.
Morse.
The Salter Award is presented annually
by the California Citrus Quality
Council to salute an individual who has
made outstanding and substantive contributions
to the industry while demonstrating
uncommon dedication and
commitment.
Morse was recognized Oct. 10 during
the California Citrus Conference in
Porterville. The presentation was made
by CCQC board member Bob Elliott on
behalf of his colleagues.
The inscription on the plaque reads:
“ In recognition of his steadfast dedication
in the field of entomology, which
has contributed vitally to the California
citrus industry.
“For over three decades Dr. Morse
has provided timely research results and
valuable educational resources to California
citrus growers and pest control
advisors that have enabled the continued
economic well-being of the citrus industry.
His extensive efforts in studying the
control of citrus thrips, a primary pest of
concern to the industry,
has led to the registration
of new materials
needed for its management
as well as a continued
search for nonchemical
alternatives.
“Dr. Morse has focused much of his
efforts on pests of quarantine concern
in export markets, which are critical to
the economic viability of the industry.
His field studies and publications on
Fuller rose beetle are vital as this pest
continues to threaten the industry’s access
to essential markets.
“Accomplished researcher, educator
and administrator, his continued
contributions have earned Joe Morse
the appreciation and gratitude of the
citrus growers of California.”
Dr. Morse is Professor of Entomology
at the University of California Riverside,
where he joined the faculty in 1981.
He describes his work as being focused
on “contributing to the evolution of citrus
and avocado pest management in
California towards a more integrated approach
emphasizing increased monitoring
activity, use of economic thresholds
and selective pesticides, conservation
CCQC Board member Bob Elliott reads the wording
engraved on the Salter Award presented to citrus
researcher Joseph Morse.
and augmentation of predators and parasites,
and postharvest disinfestation.”
Morse conducts both applied and
fundamental research in a number of
areas within the field of entomology
including integrated pest management,
biological control, parasitoid biology
and behavior, insectary rearing of natural
enemies, the impact of pesticides on
both target pests and non-target organisms,
pesticide resistance, applied insect
ecology, and management of invasive
species.
In addition to his specific research
accomplishments, Dr. Morse has a remarkable
record of service including
three years as Director of the UC Center
for Invasive Species Research, six years
as Associate Director of the UC Statewide
IPM Program. and six years as Program
Leader for Agricultural Policy and
Pest Management within UC’s Division
of Agriculture and Natural Resources. l
Ted Batkin of the Citrus Research
Board congratulates Laird Roddick on
his Lifetime Achievement Award.
The very definition of ‘Lifetime Achievement’
When it was announced at the Conference
that Laird Roddick was
the winner of a Lifetime Achievement
Award, the applause that accompanied
him as he made his way to the stage was
very enthusiastic.
Roddick, who was profiled in the
most recent issue of Citrograph, turned
90 years old in September and yet he
works full-time in a high-level job.
Over a period of nearly 60 years,
he has held top management positions
with various citrus packinghouses, both
in Southern California and Central California,
and early in his career he and his
brother owned a pest control business.
He has been a grower – a thirdgeneration
orange and grapefruit producer
in the Highland area of the Inland
Empire – and Laird has also served in
leadership roles for several industry organizations
including California Citrus
Mutual.
It could be said that Laird Roddick’s
career in California citrus is the
very definition of “lifetime achievement”.
Ted Batkin of the Citrus Research
Board presented the award on behalf
of the National Orange Show in San
Bernardino. For over 60 years, the Orange
Show conducted an annual Citrus
Institute as an educational event for the
industry and had recently added the
lifetime achievement recognition to its
program. While the Institute itself is no
longer being held, Batkin reports that
the NOS is continuing the award as a
way of honoring the area’s rich citrus
heritage. l
50 Citrograph November/December 2012