Jim Luby, who has led the fruit breeding program at the University of Minnesota since the early 1980s, is retiring. We caught up with him at the recent meeting of the National Association for Plant Breeding (NAPB) in St. Louis, MO, and discussed the Honeycrisp apple’s success, highlighting its unique texture and flavor that combine crunchiness with a juicy eating experience.
However, he noted that while Honeycrisp set a high bar, future varieties must be easier to grow and handle for growers to be profitable. Luby emphasized the importance of consumer experience in fruit breeding but also acknowledged the need for varieties that offer better returns for growers. He stressed that new varieties should not only be easy to grow but also provide an enjoyable eating experience. He also underscored the role of organizations like the NAPB in fostering talent and technology exchange, which is crucial for the advancement of plant breeding and agriculture.
