A senior researcher specializing in blueberries has been appointed director of horticultural crop improvement (endowed chair) for University of Florida, in recognition of the royalties generated by the fruit cultivars that it has developed in the field of agriculture and for global consumption.

Patricio Muñoz, associate professor in the UF/IFAS department of horticultural sciences, recently received the professorship from J. Scott Angle, UF interim chancellor and senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources.

“As a plant breeder who plays a central role in making UF/IFAS one of the leading university plant breeding operations in the country, Dr. Muñoz is uniquely qualified to fill this important position,” said Scott Angle. "His leadership keeps our blueberry breeding efforts focused on developing cultivars that meet the needs of Florida growers and generates millions of dollars in licensing revenue around the world, revenue that is reinvested in innovative plant breeding methods." ».

During Muñoz's time as a blueberry breeder for UF/IFAS, the program has generated more than $50 million in royalty income.

These royalties are the result of meticulous laboratory and field work. Muñoz has launched or collaborated in the launch of 14 blueberry cultivars, four forage and six for grass.

He also led the development of a smartphone app that helps growers detect pests and diseases in blueberries and provides information on the cultivars UF/IFAS has produced.

Muñoz also led the creation of the UF/IFAS Doctorate in Plant Breeding, one of the first of its kind in the country.

With all these achievements, this position is special for Muñoz.

“This chair is an honor and shows, once again, the support we have from UF and UF/IFAS towards plant breeding,” clarified Muñoz, who has 18 years of experience as a plant breeder. “I feel very grateful to be recognized with this chair and I thank my team and collaborators for their support.”

Photography: UF/IFAS

“We will continue on the path to help our stakeholders in Florida become more profitable; while we advance in knowledge to generate horticultural crops more quickly, economically and precisely," he explained. "I believe in my motto: local focus with global impact." I consider Southern Highbush Blueberry (SHB) to be the “Gatorade of UF/IFAS,” because like Gatorade, SHB was also developed by UF and is consumed around the world today.”

Chris Gunter, chair of the horticultural sciences department, praised Muñoz.

"Dr. Muñoz's creativity and scientific expertise combine advanced genetics and genomics with the artistry of an experienced plant breeder," Gunter noted. "His ability to observe, select and communicate in detail allows him to create hardy, high-yielding blueberry varieties that meet diverse environmental and agricultural needs."

ABOUT UF/IFAS

The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources, and to make that knowledge available to maintain and improve the quality of human life. UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences has more than a dozen research centers, 67 counties with extension offices, as well as award-winning students and faculty. UF/IFAS offers science-based solutions to the state's agricultural and natural resource industries, as well as all Florida residents.

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