Oct 10, 2025

UF new host for major plant breeding accelerator program

The University of Florida (UF) is the new home for a plant breeding improvement program.

Breeding Insight (BI) is a USDA Agricultural Research Service-funded program that supports public breeding efforts via more than 61 USDA programs as well as university-based programs across the country.

The nearly 50 species currently supported by Breeding Insight include blueberries, strawberries, watermelon, grapes, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries, pecans, citrus, cucumbers, lettuce, potatoes, sweet potatoes and commercial beekeeping.

Breeding Insight scientists use advanced prediction methods — including high-performance computing and artificial intelligence — and custom software applications to accelerate the development of new pest- and disease-free crops that are more robust and nutritious. 

They also support honeybee and aquaculture industries to breed for improved genetic stock that are more durable. The program helps growers and producers gain the best yields and market value while consumers benefit from U.S. agriculture production, according to a news release. 

In addition to helping to breed crops that resist emerging pests and diseases, Breeding Insight scientists work to improve:

• Plant varieties to be more easily harvested through automation, saving labor and costs.
• Shelf life of fruits, nuts and vegetables.
• Crops with long growing cycles, such as fruit trees, with more efficiency.

“The shift of the program to the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) solidifies UF as the world’s best plant breeding program and brings additional seed funding and data analytic resources to UF/IFAS plant breeders,” Damian Adams, UF/IFAS associate dean for research, who will manage the Breeding Insight program, said in the release. “It also positions us to better support the agriculture industry in Florida through accelerated precision-breeding efforts.” 

UF/IFAS was selected as the home of the Breeding Insight’s program thanks to the strength of its agricultural programs, stakeholder standing and UF’s class computing infrastructure, according to the release. 

In the future, additional Florida crops can be supported, including cabbage, cantaloupes, avocadoes and nursery plants, according to the release.