Florida’s booming blueberry industry is worth an estimated $82 million, so farmers are want to grow the best blueberries possible. Horticultural scientist Patricio Muñoz and food scientist Charlie Sims are seeking to improve the flavor, aroma, survivability, and yield of blueberries through broader breeding capabilities.

The two UF researchers are part of a $12.8 million USDA grant to broaden the nation’s blueberry breeding capabilities. “Fruit with exceptional flavor will improve fruit consumption satisfaction and hopefully, increase purchasing frequency,” Muñoz says. “All these will be beneficial to … the nurseries producing the plants, to the producers of fruits, supermarkets selling the fruit and consumers of blueberries.”

• Charles Sims
• Patricio Munoz Del Valle