University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus breeders and geneticists Fred Gmitter and Jude Grosser recently received the rare Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) Resident Professorship Award. The award has only been bestowed four other times in CREC’s 109-year history.
The award recognizes careers that have brought distinction to the CREC through outstanding programs, important scientific breakthroughs and transformative impacts on the citrus industry. It is the highest academic honor achievable at the CREC.
CREC Director Michael Rogers, who emceed an April 2 celebration for Gmitter and Grosser, noted that they are internationally recognized among the top tier of citrus breeders and geneticists.
Both Gmitter and Grosser began work at UF/IFAS in 1985 as assistant professors before progressing to associate professors and then professors.
Gmitter’s expertise is in the field of genetics and genomics. His research program in recent years has aimed to develop improved citrus varieties capable of producing high-quality fruit and juice in the HLB era.
Grosser has pioneered the development and application of somaclonal variation; protoplast isolation, culture and fusion; somatic hybridization; and somatic cybridization techniques for citrus.
“Together they (Gmitter and Grosser) have truly made a great impact,” Rogers said. “Their research has led to the release of more than 50 scion and rootstock cultivars since 2010.”
Rogers said the two scientists deserve special recognition for the dedication they’ve shown to the Florida citrus industry, “particularly during these most difficult years of the HLB crisis.
“When HLB arrived in Florida, we had not yet bred for resistance or tolerance to HLB,” Rogers continued. “Like everyone else, Fred and Jude were starting from scratch. But, as the HLB crisis deepened, the industry asked IFAS to shortcut the traditional breeding timeline and begin releasing varieties before full performance data were available.”
In response, Gmitter and Grosser agreed to a fast-track model for release of citrus varieties.
“The work is paying off,” Rogers said. “We are now seeing new citrus varieties with significantly improved tolerance to HLB.
“In addition to their remarkable research accomplishments, both Fred and Jude have been deeply engaged with growers throughout their careers. Field days, fruit tastings, one‑on‑one visits with growers, interactions with processors and packers, engagement with the media, and even inspiring young people to consider careers in science — Fred and Jude have done it all … And they do this because they care deeply about the Florida citrus industry.”
Rogers concluded that Gmitter and Grosser “are widely regarded as among the most influential citrus breeders and geneticists of the modern era, distinguished internationally for their scientific output, transformative breeding methodologies and development of new citrus scions and rootstocks.”
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