Breeding and Genetics
The Horticultural Sciences Department at the University of Florida is a team of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to improving fruit and vegetable production for the benefit of farmers and consumers.
Here at the GCREC, we have four different breeding programs:
Strawberry Breeding: All UF/IFAS cultivars are developed through traditional breeding methods and are not genetically engineered. GCREC develops strawberry cultivars for Florida's industry, grown on over 13,000 acres in west-central Florida.
Tomato Breeding: The UF Tomato Breeding and Genetics program uses traditional methods to develop Florida-adapted hybrids and breeding lines while studying genetic traits. Around 50,000 plants are evaluated annually for traits like yield, disease resistance, and fruit quality. Additionally, eight private breeding programs in Florida rely on UF's program for improved germplasm and parent hybrids.
Ornamental Horticulture Breeding: Current breeding efforts are directed toward the developing and releasing new caladium and gerbera cultivars, genetic sterilizing lantana and nandina, and evaluating and selecting superior Florida-native plants.
Alternative Crop Breeding: GCREC is working to find new and profitable crops for Florida growers. New breeding efforts will be established for hops, hemp, artichokes, pomegranates, blackberries, and other commodities that may not be found in Florida...yet.
Explore Our Labs to gain a deeper understanding of each program!
- Dr. Vance Whitaker’s Lab – Strawberries
- Dr. Seonghee Lee’s Lab – Strawberries
- Dr. Jessica Chitwood-Brown’s Lab – Tomatoes
- Dr. Anuj Sharma’s Lab – Tomatoes
- Dr. Zhanao Deng’s Lab – Environmental Horticulture
Student Information
The Horticultural Sciences graduate program is dynamic and diverse, offering students the freedom to join research programs in molecular genetics, breeding, physiology/biochemistry, postharvest biology, crop production and nutrient management, organic and sustainable agriculture, or weed science.
The Plant Breeding Graduate Program currently offers a Ph.D. degree in Plant Breeding. UF/IFAS is the land-grant university with the largest plant breeding faculty in the nation and one of the largest in cultivars developed and cultivars licensed.
Learn about our faculty, students, breeding programs, curriculum, and financial support to form an idea of your potential research and education.
Possible Careers
- Academia: Engage in extension, research, education, and innovation within entomology and nematology fields
- USDA Researcher: Conduct research on nationally significant pests
- Regulatory: Provide guidance and enforce regulations concerning actionable arthropods
- Industry: Develop and evaluate new pest management technologies for the private sector
Have Questions?
PBGP Academic Coordinator: Eliana Kampf, elianak@ufl.edu
PBGP Director: Dr. Patricio Munoz, p.munoz@ufl.edu
Dr. C. Eduardo Vallejos, Graduate Coordinator | 352-273-4845 or vallejos@ufl.edu
Curtis Smyder, Student Services Coordinator | 352-273-4781 or curtisr@ufl.edu