This year the Montoro Olive Fair will have a town crier who specializes in the olive sector and has a long career of research in the agricultural field. Lorenzo León Moreno is an Agricultural Engineer and Doctor in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Córdoba. Since 2009 he is a Researcher at the Institute of Agricultural and Fishing Research and Training (IFAPA) at the Alameda del Obispo Centre, within the Improvement and Biotechnology Area, as well as obtaining the 2010 “Ciudad de Córdoba” Horticultural Science Research Award.
Its lines of research are focused on the genetic improvement of the olive tree, in the framework of a breeding program that tries to obtain new varieties adapted to a modern olive growing. The final objective of this breeding program is to obtain new varieties with early entry into production and high productivity, resistance to different biotic (Verticillosis, Xylella, repilos) and abiotic factors (climate change, water stress), adaptation to different cultivation systems, high fat yield and oil quality.
Throughout his professional career he has participated in 25 research projects, 5 of them as a professional researcher, with regional, national and European funding. The lines of research have been oriented in different aspects related to the improvement of the olive tree, systems of plantation in olive grove and adjustment of techniques of analysis.
As a result of these works, 66 articles have been published in international journals, as well as many articles in popular magazines and communications to national and international conferences. All this allowed the registration of the new variety ‘Sikitita’ in 2009 and more recently another two new varieties currently in the process of being awarded.
Given this extensive experience in the sector, their training and experience, we are sure to enjoy an enriching speech in this 20th edition of the Montoro Olive Fair.