James Luby

headshot of James Luby, wearing a University of Minnesota hat, outdoors
Professor
[email protected]
6126243453
342 Alderman Hall

1970 Folwell Ave.
Saint Paul, MN 55108
United States

Google Scholar
Education
  • Ph.D. University of Minnesota, 1982, Plant Breeding and Genetics
  • B.S. Purdue University, 1978, Agronomy-Crop Science
External Affiliations

American Society for Horticultural Science

American Pomological Society

International Society for Horticultural Science

National Assn. of Plant Breeders

Areas of Interest

Apple breeding, DNA-informed breeding

Biography

Luby is a Professor in the Department of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota where he has directed research in fruit crops breeding and genetics since 1982. The emphasis of this program is to develop new varieties that combine a satisfying eating experience for the consumer with cold hardiness and disease resistance. His research aims to determine the inheritance of these traits and identify important genetic loci and DNA markers for use in DNA-informed breeding Under his direction, the University of Minnesota fruit crops breeding program has introduced and commercialized 27 cultivars of apples, wine grapes, blueberries, strawberries, and other fruits.

Teaching

Hort 1031 Vines and Wines: An Introduction to Viticulture and Enology

Research

The primary goal of my research is to develop, evaluate, and introduce fruit cultivars with horticultural, disease and pest resistance, and fruit quality characters desired by growers and consumers in Minnesota and surrounding areas. The breeding programs concentrate on apple and berries. Research aims to determine the inheritance of these traits and, where appropriate, map important loci using molecular markers for use in marker-assisted breeding.

Honors and Awards

  • Amer. Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) Career Award for Outstanding Graduate Educator, 2020
  • University of Minnesota Impact Innovation Award, 2019
  • ASHS Fruit Publication Award for Clark et al., HortScience 52:649–651, 2018
  • ASHS Career Award for Outstanding Researcher, 2014
  • Minnesota State Horticultural Society, Bronze Award for outstanding contributions to horticulture in fruit breeding, 2011
  • Amer. Pomological Society Wilder Medal for outstanding contributions to fruit breeding 2008
  • ASHS Outstanding Fruit Cultivar Award, 2007