2023 B.Y. Morrison Memorial Lecturer

James 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 his 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 important fruit and tree traits and identify important genetic loci and DNA markers for use in DNA-informed breeding. Luby grew up in Wisconsin and his education includes a B.S. degree in Crop Science from Purdue University and a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding from the University of Minnesota. Under his direction, the University of Minnesota fruit crops breeding program has introduced and commercialized 30 cultivars of apples, wine grapes, blueberries, strawberries, and other fruits. Apple introductions include ‘Honeycrisp’ and SweeTango®, #1 and #10 respectively in retail value in the US in 2020. Luby teaches and advises graduate and undergraduate students in plant breeding and fruit production. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters. His awards include induction as a fellow in the American Society of Horticultural Science (2002) and the Society’s Career Awards for Outstanding Researcher (2014) and Outstanding Graduate Educator (2020) as well as the American Pomological Society’s Wilder Medal for outstanding contributions to fruit breeding (2008).