Rachel Itle

Dr. Rachel A. Itle is an Assistant Research Scientist in the Department of Horticulture at the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), based at the Griffin Campus. Her work focuses on fruit production and genetics, with a 12-year career in blueberry research. She leads a research and extension program addressing fruit quality, cultural management techniques, and genetics in perennial crops like blueberries, muscadines, grapes, and peaches.

• Education:
• B.S. Horticulture, Pennsylvania State University (2006)
• Ph.D. Horticulture, Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Florida (2010)
• Post-Doctoral Research Associate, University of Georgia (2017)
• Key Research Areas:
• Physicochemical fruit quality traits
• Genetic improvement of fruit crops
• Freeze protection strategies and biostimulant applications
• Trellising systems for vine crops
• Breeding cultivars suited to the southeastern U.S.
• Appointments:
• 65% Research
• 30% Extension
• 5% Service
• Labs/Teams:
• Collaborates with UGA Extension and industry partners to enhance fruit crop profitability in Georgia and the southeastern U.S.