University of Florida Plant Breeders Perspectives Presented by Jay Scott.

University of Florida Plant Breeders Perspectives

Presented by Jay Scott

1975 -2012

1. Severe reduction in Public Plant Breeding

Programs [eg. 1990-1994 lost 12.5 scientist

years]

2. Increase in Private sector Plant Breeding [eg.

1990-1994 gained 32 scientist years]

Human Inputto Variety Development*

Private – 80%

SAES – 41%

USDA – 12%

* Source: Frey, K.J. 1996. National Plant Breeding Study I. Human and financial resources devoted to plant breeding research and development in the United States in 1994. Spec. Rep. 98, Iowa State University, Ames.

Plant Breeding in an Academic Enterprise

• At UF, plant breeding has several goals:

1. Develop improved cultivars

2. Basic research (published)• Improve the breeding process• Discover new traits/molecular markers

3. Educate clientele about cultivars

4. Teaching• Train new plant breeders• Teach basics of plant breeding

Research

Extension

Teaching

Plant Breeding in a Commercial Enterprise

• In companies, plant breeding has several goals:1. Develop improved cultivars

2. Basic research (internal)• Improve the breeding process• Discover new traits

3. Sell cultivars to clientele

The primary element in common between academic and commercial plant breeding is cultivar development, so,

the chief goal of plant breeding is development of improved cultivars.

Research

Sales

Plant Breeding in an Academic Enterprise (in contrast to a Commercial Enterprise)

• The chief goal of plant breeding is improved cultivars.

• In private business, the path to sales is straightforward.• In an academic enterprise, the path to sales is not.

• Sales/Commercialization is a necessity to meet the goal.

Goals of PB Academic CommercialImproved cultivars

Basic Research ?

Educate growers XX

Train new plant breeders XX

Sales XX

What is the role of UF-IFAS in the public plant breeding process?

1. Manage personnel and support needed for plant breeding research, teaching and extension

2. Protect the integrity of UF-IFAS– Establish quality standards for cultivar release

• Cultivar release policy

– Protect plant material from unauthorized use• Manage MTA’s and Research Agreements

3. Establish rules by which funds are dispersed– UF Intellectual Property Policy

(http://www.research.ufl.edu/otl/pdf/ipp.pdf)

UF PLANT BREEDERS WORKGROUP HISTORY/ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Formed in 1993, meet once a year, executive committee meets with Dean of Research four times a year

• With IFAS administration established a breeder-friendly royalty plan for germplasm releases

• Presently establishing a plant breeding curriculum

• Promote plant breeding at UF

UNIQUE FEATURES OF UF PLANT BREEDING VS. OTHER STATES

• Wide diversity of crops, several not being bred (much) in the private sector

• Subtropical environment-relevance to worldwide tropical agriculture

• “No” neighboring states

Plant Breeding Program Much of the plant agriculture in Florida depends on varieties developed by plant breeders at the University of Florida. Plant breeding research at the University of Florida has lead to new breeding methods, new varieties, and new production systems. Plant breeders are working with molecular biologists to see where new technologies can be applied in Florida.

Prospective Students & Program Admissions The University of Florida is a world-wide leader in providing graduate training in plant breeding, and because many other land grant universities have reduced or eliminated their plant breeding programs, it is today more important than ever that we maintain a strong graduate program in plant breeding.

NEWS AND INFORMATION

•Plant Breeding Program Overview Faculty Students UF/IFAS PBWG Breeding Impacts UF Breeding GraduatesWorldwide Contact Us

•Academics Degree Programs

•Admissions Requirements How to Apply Funding For Int'l Students

•News and Events Seminar Series Workshop Announcements Awards  Employment Opportunities -New Listings

Dr. Fred Gmitter2011 FFVA Researcher of the Year

Dr. Paul Lyrene2011 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductee

http://breeders.ifas.ufl.edu

Faculty Location Crop FTE

  Dr. F. Altpeter, Associate Professor Gainesville Bioenergy/Turf 80% 

Research

                      Dr. A. R. Soffes Blount, Associate                                      Professor

North Florida  Forage/Turf 70%

Research

                      Dr. K. E. Kenworthy, Assistant                        Professor Gainesville  Turfgrass 70%

Research

                      Dr. B. L. Tillman, Associate Professor North Florida  Peanut 80%

Research

Agronomy Department

                                            Dr. M. J. Davis, Professor Citrus REC  Papaya 100%  

Research

Plant Pathology

Faculty Location Crop FTE

                    Dr. D. G. Clark, Professor Gainesville   Coleus 70% Research

                    Dr. Z. Deng, Associate Professor Gulf Coast

 Caladium, Gerbera Daisy, 

Lisianthus

80% Research

                    Dr. Rosanna Freyre, Research                     Scientist Gainesville   Ornamentals 100%

Research

                     Dr. R. J. Henny, Associate Professor Mid-Florida  Ornamental   Foliage

Environmental Horticulture

Faculty Crop FTE

                  Dr. J. Chaparro, Associate Professor Gainesville Stone fruits 70% Research

                  Dr. F. G. Gmitter, Jr., Professor Citrus REC Citrus 100% Research

                  Dr. J. W. Grosser, Professor Citrus REC Citrus

                  Dr. Samuel Hutton, Assistant                   Professor Gulf Coast  Tomato 80% 

Research

                  Dr. Huangjun Lu, Assistant Professor Belle Glade Lettuce, Turfgrass

                  Dr. J. Olmstead, Assistant Professor Gainesville Blueberry 80% Research

                  Dr. J. W. Scott, Professor Gulf Coast Tomato 80% Research

                  Dr. Vance Whitaker, Assistant                   Professor Gulf Coast Strawberry 80% 

Research

Horticultural Science

UF BREEDING FACULTY SUMMARY

• Approximately 16 Breeding Faculty• Six positions in Gainesville, others at

5 research centers• Three breeders with teaching

appointments, others teach breeding related courses

SOME UF PLANT BREEDING CONCERNS

• Money• Teaching Faculty, student numbers

in classes• Loss of Faculty-wheat, clover (2),

squash, sweet corn• Marketing of Varieties

A FEW UF PLANT BREEDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• ‘Florida Staysweet’ sh2 sweet corn• Low chill blueberries and peaches• ‘Festival’ strawberry • High oleic peanuts• Ice box watermelons• Fusarium wilt race 2 and race 3 resistant

tomatoes, Tasti-LeeTM tomato

Importance of Florida Foundation Seed Producers to 

UF Plant Breeders Vehicle to get cultivars produced and sold Manage commercialization proposals Assists with selection of companies to

license and sell through contract negotiations

Collect and distribute royalties Produce seed for peanut and small grains

Importance of Royalties Key funding source-no deadlines Allows for enhancement of future variety

development Allows for more fundamental research Provides funding for graduate student

education Important consideration for administration

in filling breeding positions

Rye Grass and Clover Royalty Expenditures, June 2011 – May 2012

Royalties accrued in 2011:$98,140

Total Expenditures (chart): $85,976 [88%]

Royalties accrued in 2011:$405.815

Total Expenditures (chart): $368,376 [91%]

Plant Breeders Expectations Regarding FFSP & FAES

Timeliness in dealing with clientele groups:  -Documents adequate to protect all parties 

but not unduly complex-We are willing to help where needed

Enforcement of contracts Marketing?? Flexibility- One size does not fit all Maintain breeding program-friendly royalties

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THE END