Present Research, Future Harvest

The Present Research, Future Harvest congress, part of the international Corteva Symposia Series, will take place in Córdoba, Spain, for the first time on 22–23 October 2025.

This event will focus on plant genetic improvement, a discipline that merges agronomy and biotechnology to develop plants that are more productive, resilient, sustainable, and nutritious. The congress aims to be a meeting point for companies, researchers, and students, highlighting Andalusia’s role as a hub of agricultural innovation. There will be four main thematic sessions: woody crops, horticultural crops, cereals, and legumes.

In addition, science will be blended with culture: parallel activities such as talks, visits to the botanical garden, and olive oil tastings will be organised. A unique opportunity to learn, share, and enjoy in one of Spain’s most inspiring cities.

More information and registration on the congress website: https://sites.google.com/view/prfhcordoba2025/

Full program here.

22 October

9.00–9.15 | Opening Remarks – Eva Guzmán (Operations Leader – Corteva Agriscience)
9.15–9.30 | Welcome to the Congress – Organising Committee and Collaborating Institutions (UCO, IFAPA)

Session I – Woody Crops (9.30–11.30)
9.30–09.50 | Balam – Genetic improvement in woody species: success stories and future challenges
09.50–10.10 | Iban Eduardo Muñoz (IRTA) – Marker-assisted improvement in Prunus breeding programmes at IRTA
10.10–10.30 | Lorenzo León (IFAPA) – Olive breeding programme
10.30–10.45 | Questions, answers, and discussion
10.45–11.30 | Oral communications

Session II – Horticultural Crops (12.00–14.00)
12.00–12.20 | Jose Blanca (UPV) – The history of the tomato: evolution and improvement
12.20–12.40 | Jose David Díaz Moedano (Inspira Rural) – Rosa de Alcolea tomato: local innovation
12.40–13.00 | Francisco Javier Molina Hidalgo (UCO) – Plant biotechnology and pharmacognosy: the strawberry fruit and its new applications
13.00–13.15 | Questions, answers, and discussion
13.15–14.00 | Oral communications
16.00–17.00 | Keynote Lecture – Elliot Heffner (Regional Leader for Europe, Seed Product Development, R&D – Corteva Agriscience)
17.00–18.00 | Olive Oil Tasting Workshop – In collaboration with sector experts

Public Open Session (18.00–20.00)

18.00–19.00 | Andalusian Plant Germplasm Bank (BGVA), Córdoba Botanical Garden
19.00–20.00 | María Castellanos, Alejandro Valverde, and Paco Calvo – Results on plant communication in the courtyards of Córdoba, discussed alongside Paco Calvo (MINT Lab)

23 October

Session III – Cereals (9.00–11.00)
9.00–09.20 | Ignacio Solís (Agrovegetal) – Wheat improvement from a business perspective
09.20–09.40 | Carlos Guzmán (UCO) – Phytogenetic resources and wheat improvement
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9.40–10.00 | Francisco Barro Losada (IAS – CSIC) – CRISPR/Cas for wheat improvement
10.00–10.15 | Questions, answers, and discussion
10.15–11.00 | Oral communications
11.30–12.00 | DAFISA – How companies can utilise resources related to improvement
12.00–12.30 | ANOVE (National Association of Plant Breeders) – Public-private collaborations and awards for non-graduate students

Session IV – Legumes (12:30–14.00)

12.30–12.50 | Jose Die (UCO) – Bioinformatics and legume improvement
12.50–13.10 | J. Ignacio Cubero (Emeritus Professor, UCO) – A pioneer in legume improvement: past, present, and future
13.10–13.30 | Questions, answers, and discussion
13.30–14.00 | Oral communications
16.30–18.00 | Visit to Córdoba Botanical Garden – Includes the Andalusian Plant Germplasm Bank
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