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Gulf Coast Research and Education Center

Gulf Coast Research and Education Center

Dr. Samuel Hutton

Associate Professor of Horticulture

Dr. Samuel Hutton’s research focuses on developing improved tomato hybrids and parents adapted to Florida’s subtropical conditions and relevant to the Florida tomato industry.

His program emphasizes genetic characterization of important traits and utilization of molecular tools to more efficiently select for these during the breeding process. These efforts are supported through collaborations with the Florida tomato industry and with the University of Florida and other researchers in areas including pathology, entomology, genomics and postharvest.

  • Research

    Research in Dr. Hutton’s program focuses on germplasm improvement and cultivar development. Pre-breeding efforts emphasize introduction of novel traits from wild or unadapted germplasm into commercially relevant backgrounds. Breeding trials support the development and testing of improved parent lines and hybrids for cultivar release. Research areas include heat tolerant fruit setting; attributes to support mechanized harvest; improved flavor and quality; and resistance to many bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens.

  • Extension

    Dr. Hutton’s extension activities aim to relay key research findings to public and private tomato breeders in Florida and elsewhere, and to inform growers and extension agents on research progress and on new UF/IFAS tomato varieties and their characteristics.

  • Lab Team
    Molecular Lab Phone Number: 813-419-6609
    Field Lab Phone Number: 813-419-6654
    Staff MemberContact Information
    Ian Cheng, Grad Student ian.cheng@ufl.edu
    Dolly Cummings, Bio Scientist II dollyc@ufl.edu
    Tim Davis, Bio Scientist II timmyd@ufl.edu
    Leo Gaspar, Grad Student lgaspar@ufl.edu
    Samuel Ipinyomi, Grad Student ipinyomi.samuel@ufl.edu
    Judith Lopez, Ag Assistant II jlopezrodriguez@ufl.edu
    Edgar Sierra, Grad Student e.sierra@ufl.edu
    Kazuyo Ueda, Bio Scientist II kaueda@ufl.edu

Contact

Rm. 171
Gulf Coast Research and Education Center
14625 County Road 672
Wimauma, FL 33598
813-419-6610
sfhutton@ufl.edu

  • Education

    Education:

    • Ph.D. Horticulture, University of Florida, 2008
    • M.S. Plant Breeding, University of Minnesota, 2004
    • B.S. Agronomy, Mississippi State University, 2000
  • Publications
  • Professional Service and Awards
    • Vance Publishing’s Second Annual 40 Under 40 Award, 2014 
    • Paul J. DiMare Foundation Term Professorship, Chair, 2010 – Present
    • American Society for Horticultural Science, Vegetable Breeding Working Group Secretary, 2013–2014