Gulf Coast Research and Education Center
Dr. Vance Whitaker
Associate Professor of Horticulture
Dr. Whitaker develops strawberry varieties for Florida. His breeding program is enhanced through genetic research and through collaborations with the GCREC faculty team and Florida industry. Dr. Whitaker works closely with Florida Foundation Seed Producers, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association and Ekland Marketing Company to license and market UF/IFAS varieties in Florida and around the world.
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Research
Dr. Whitaker conducts an applied research program in breeding and genetics, using both field and lab techniques.
This research program is primarily aimed at the genetic characterization of important traits in strawberries and informing methods and strategies for developing newer and better cultivars.
Few traits in cultivated strawberry are controlled by single genes, due to the complex genetics of this species.
Therefore, the approaches of quantitative genetics are important for determining the types of genetic variance that contribute to economically important traits and how selecting one trait influences another trait. However, for some traits that are controlled by one or few genes, breeding is being enhanced through DNA marker technology.
It is important to note that DNA-informed breeding in this sense is distinct from the use of transgenic technologies. All UF/IFAS cultivars are bred through traditional means and are not transgenic.
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Extension
The University of Florida strawberry breeding program originated with the work of Albert Brooks in 1948. Since then, 15 strawberry cultivars have been released.
In 2017, more than 10,500 acres of strawberries were planted in Florida—approximately 85% of which were planted in UF/IFAS varieties.
The strawberry industry benefits when new cultivars are managed to their full potential. Information is available on attributes of new cultivars and their tailored management programs.
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Lab Team
Lab Phone Number 813-419-6615 Staff Member Email Angel Arredondo, Ag Assistant II aarrend@ufl.edu Ryan Batts, OPS r.batts@ufl.edu Israel Cepeda, Ag Assistant II icepeda@ufl.edu Cheryl Dalid, Bio Scientist II cdalid@ufl.edu Fahiem Elborai, Research Scientist fahiem@ufl.edu Zhen Fan, Grad Student fanzhen@ufl.edu Juan Jimenez Pardo, Research Scholar jimenezpardoj@ufl.edu Guadalupe Garcia, OPS ggarciaramirez@ufl.edu Catalina Moyer, Bio Scientist II torresc@ufl.edu Luis Osorio, Bio Scientist IV lfosorio@ufl.edu Manuela Rodriguez, OPS mrodriguez5@ufl.edu Natalia Salinas, Grad Student salinasn@ufl.edu Joanna Trejo, OPS trejojoanna@ufl.edu Sujeet Verma, Bio Scientist II sujeet.verma@ufl.edu - Strawberry Cultivars
Contact
Rm. 169
Gulf Coast Research and Education Center
14625 County Road 672
Wimauma, FL 33598
813-419-6608
vwhitaker@ufl.edu
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Education
Education:
- Ph.D. Plant Breeding and Molecular Genetics, University of Minnesota, 2009
- M.S. Plant Breeding, University of Minnesota, 2006
- B.S. Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, 2003
- B.S. Agricultural Business Management, North Carolina State University, 2003
- Publications
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Professional Service and Awards
- American Phytopathological Society-Southern Division, Secretary & Treasurer, 2012 – Present
- Plant Disease Management Reports, Associate Editor, 2013 – Present
- European Journal of Plant Pathology, Associate Editor, 2012 – Present
- Journal of Plant Pathology, Associate Editor, 2007 – Present
- Phytopathology, Associate Editor, 2008–2011
- 4th International Symposium on Tomato Diseases, Organizing Committee, 2013
- 21st International Pepper Conference, Organizing and Sponsorship Committee, 2012
- 25th Annual Tomato Disease Workshop, Organizer, 2010
- Genetics Society of America, Member, 2006 – Present
- American Association for the Advancement of Science, Member, 2004 – Present
- American Phytopathological Society, Member, 2000 – Present
