Who We Are
The UF/IFAS plant breeders oversee and manage one of the most active and innovative plant breeding programs in the world. No other institution genetically improves such a large variety of crops that can be grown not just in Florida, but also around the world. Our breeders use next-generation science to improve more than 50 crops for food, feed, fiber, fuel, shelter, landscape beautification, ecosystem services, and a variety of other human activities.
Where We Are
We have over 30 faculty members strategically located throughout Florida and breed 50 diverse plant species. Plant varieties developed by our breeders dominate the Florida blueberry, strawberry, peanut, forage, and other industries. These crops are grown in more than 60 countries worldwide. We have successfully trained more than 60 plant breeders in the last 10 years with excellent job placement. Statewide Plant Breeding Efforts - Full Size Map.
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Graduate Program
Outstanding Ph.D. Training
We focus on training outstanding Ph.D. plant breeding students who will be well-rounded and career-ready for the industry, academia, non-profit, or other sectors. Our integrated curriculum equips students with traditional and contemporary breeding methodologies, including field-based breeding evaluation, quantitative genetics, modern molecular techniques, and phenotyping technologies.
Top-Notch Research
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. Our state-of-the-art facilities, strong partnership with industry, research support and emphasis, and active breeding programs in 50 different crop species make UF the top choice to study modern plant breeding.
Unique Focus on Specialty Crops
Florida’s unique climate offers the best opportunity to grow and breed specialty crops (such as blueberries, citrus, papaya, peach, strawberry, sweet corn, lettuce, tomatoes, and others) that are not grown anywhere else in the country. As the demand for specialty crops rises rapidly, UF/IFAS has become the leading university in training graduate students to work with these unique crops.