Thomas E. Devine
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Thomas E. Devine | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1938 The Bronx, New York, United States |
| Died | July 7, 2022 |
| Alma mater | Fordham University Pennsylvania State University Iowa State University |
| Known for | Legume breeding; forage soybeans; cover crops |
| Awards | Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy Fellow of the Crop Science Society of America Federal Laboratory Consortium Award (2002) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Plant genetics, Agronomy |
| Institutions | United States Department of Agriculture |
Thomas E. Devine (c. 1938 – July 7, 2022) was an American plant geneticist and breeder who worked for the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (USDA‑ARS) for over 40 years. He was known for his contributions to legume breeding, notably soybeans, alfalfa, and birdsfoot trefoil. Devine released several improved crop cultivars, published extensively in scientific journals, and was elected Fellow of both the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America.
Early life and education
Devine was born in the Bronx, New York, to James Michael Devine and Anna Brady Devine. He earned a B.S. in biology (minor philosophy) from Fordham University in 1959, an M.S. in genetics and plant breeding from Pennsylvania State University in 1963, and a Ph.D. in plant breeding from Iowa State University in 1967.
Career
Devine joined the USDA‑ARS in 1967 as a research geneticist. He initially focused on breeding birdsfoot trefoil in Ithaca, New York (1967–1969), then moved to Beltsville, Maryland to develop insect- and disease-resistant alfalfa (1969–1974), especially targeting anthracnose. From 1974 to 1997, he led soybean genetics and breeding research at the Plant Nutrition Laboratory in Beltsville. Following a laboratory reorganization in 1997, he began working on winter cover crop legumes such as hairy vetch—notably releasing the “Purple Bounty” variety. He retired in 2009 after 42 years of service.
During his career, Devine chaired the Soybean Genetics Committee and the USDA Soybean Crop Germplasm Committee, and served as an associate editor of Crop Science.
Research and contributions
Alfalfa breeding
Devine developed the anthracnose-resistant alfalfa cultivar "Arc" and multiple disease-resistant germplasm clones. These contributed to disease resistance in U.S. alfalfa varieties.
Soybean genetics
He released eight soybean germplasm lines and five cultivars. His “giant” forage soybeans—‘Derry’, ‘Donegal’, and ‘Tyrone’—achieved 6–7 ft tall and high dry‐matter yields, earning the 2002 Federal Laboratory Consortium Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer.
He also researched interspecific hybridization, polyploidy, stress tolerance, nitrogen-fixation genetics, and early soybean genomics.
Cover crops
His winter‑hardy, early‑flowering hairy vetch cultivar “Purple Bounty” (2008) extended planting seasons in northern U.S. agricultural systems.
Publications
Devine authored approximately 90 scientific publications, including over 30 peer‑reviewed articles. His work appeared in journals such as Crop Science, Euphytica, Journal of Plant Physiology, Symbiosis, and the Soybean Genetics Newsletter, as well as USDA technical bulletins.
Honors and recognition
- Fellow, American Society of Agronomy
- Fellow, Crop Science Society of America
- Federal Laboratory Consortium Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer, 2002
- Chairman, Soybean Genetics Committee; Soybean Crop Germplasm Committee
- Member, National Council of the American Genetic Association
Personal life
Devine was active in community and Irish‑American organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, Irish American Cultural Institute, and Boy Scouts of America. He mentored high-school/USDA science fair students. He was a parishioner at St. Mary of the Mills in Laurel, Maryland for over 45 years.
He passed away on July 7, 2022, at age 84.
References
External links
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