Floyd Zaiger

Chris "Floyd" Zaiger (born 1926) is a biologist who is noted for his work in fruit breeding and hybrid development, particularly of stone fruit. Zaiger founded Zaiger's Genetics, a fruit-breeding business in Modesto, California, which is now an international business selling cultivars and hybrids. Zaiger is famous for developing varieties such as the Spyksma pluot, and has been called "the most prolific stone fruit breeder in the modern era."

Work and education

Zaiger, a Nebraska native, received a degree in plant pathology and agricultural education in 1952 from the University of California, Davis.

Zaiger has developed both cultivars of existing species and new hybrids such as the pluot He uses cross-pollination by hand, rather than gene-splicing or DNA manipulation, to develop new hybrids. The Zaigers hold around 280 patents for types of fruit.

Awards and recognition

• 1995 Wilder Award from the American Pomological Society for "distinguished service and contributions to the advancement of pomological science and for outstanding fruit varieties"
• 1997 Awarded rank of Officier, Ordre du Mérite Agricole
• 1999 Alumni Award of Distinction award from UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

• "The Wilder Medal". American Pomological Society. Retrieved March 21, 2014. 
• "About Zaiger Genetics". Dave Wilson Nurseries. Retrieved March 21, 2014.