overview
- Dr. Vance Whitaker’s research program in strawberry breeding and genetics develops cultivars for the Florida strawberry industry that possess desirable yield patterns, flavor, postharvest quality, disease resistance and other traits. Cultivar development is enhanced by genetic characterization of traits and through collaborative research with a statewide team of University of Florida researchers in the areas of genomics, pathology, production, and postharvest. Dr. Whitaker’s extension program involves the training of extension agents as well as on-farm trials of advanced selections, field days, and newsletter articles.