Cleber Lopes de Souza

Cleber Lopes de Souza is Assistant Professor of Forage Breeding at the University of Florida's North Florida Research and Education Center, with a 70% research and 30% extension appointment. His program develops resilient forage and cover crop varieties for the Southeastern U.S., focusing on drought tolerance, nutrient efficiency, and disease resistance in species including bahiagrass, limpograss, perennial peanut, and small grains.

Research priorities include:

• Breeding for biotic/abiotic stress resistance
• Enhancing seasonal forage distribution
• Improving biological nitrogen fixation
• Optimizing seed production quality

His extension program accelerates adoption of new cultivars through partnerships with seed producers, universities, and agricultural organizations.

Professional experience includes seed production management at Papalotla Seeds and Gentos, where he developed tropical forage seed supply chains. He holds a PhD in Animal Science from Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (2019) focusing on Paspalum breeding.