Ron Gitaitis, a plant pathologist with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, has been inducted into the Vidalia Onion Hall of Fame.
“We wanted to recognize Dr. Gitaitis’ contribution to the Vidalia industry, especially since the University of Georgia has played a key role in providing critical crop research and helping the industry by providing unbiased, scientific data to the growers,” said Susan A. Waters, director of the Vidalia Onion Committee.
Based on the UGA Tifton campus, Gitaitis researches bacterial diseases on Vidalia onions, and he was the first scientist to discover three species of onion bacteria. He has published numerous reports and journal articles, and he has mentored scientists at UGA and other institutions throughout his career. After 37 years of service to UGA, he plans to retire in June.
The Vidalia Onion Committee administers the federal marketing order that authorizes production research, marketing research and development, and marketing promotion programs for Vidalia onions.
