Postharvest Course at UPV to Award Best Oral Presentations at the 1st Predoctoral Congress of Horticultural Sciences

The UPV’s Postharvest Course will recognize emerging talent in agricultural research by awarding two prizes for the best oral presentations at the 1st Predoctoral Congress, which takes place on Monday, June 9, 2025, at UPV. This event is part of the XVIII National Congress of Horticultural Sciences, running from June 9–12 under the theme “Agriculture Driven by Scientific Knowledge.”

Organized by UPV together with the Valencian Institute for Agricultural Research (IVIA) and the Spanish Society of Horticultural Sciences (SECH), the national congress aims to promote knowledge exchange, academic debate, and collaboration among researchers, companies, and institutions. Within this context, the Predoctoral Congress seeks to encourage active participation by PhD candidates and strengthen their scientific communication skills.

Each of the two parallel session rooms will offer a €500 prize for the best oral presentation. In addition, the winners will receive free enrollment in the IX Postharvest Technology Course—Citrus and Emerging Mediterranean Crops, to be held at UPV from January to March 2026. Through this initiative, Poscosecha.com and UPV reaffirm their commitment to innovation and support for the next generation of horticultural researchers.

Five Key Thematic Areas

Twenty-three doctoral candidates will present their research across five critical areas for the horticultural sector, organized into two parallel sessions:

Session I

• Physiology and Cultivation Techniques

• Plant Material and Breeding

Session II

• Postharvest and Fruit Quality

• Adaptation to Environmental Stress

• Soils, Irrigation, and Fertilization

Led by PhD candidates in the final stages of their theses—and backed by SECH, IVIA, and UPV—this gathering has become a vital platform for professional development, idea exchange, and networking among early-career researchers.

Keynote by Consuelo Penella

The program will also feature a keynote lecture by Dr. Consuelo Penella, who will discuss career pathways for doctoral researchers in various horticultural disciplines. Her talk will cover topics such as workforce entry, industry opportunities, and the impact of research on agricultural advancement.

About the UPV Postharvest Course

The IX Postharvest Technology Course—Citrus and Emerging Mediterranean Crops, organized by the Universitat Politècnica de València and Poscosecha.com, will run January–March 2026 in both in-person and live-stream formats. Aimed at professionals and students interested in the storage, processing, and packaging of citrus and other Mediterranean crops (e.g., persimmon, avocado, pomegranate, and berries), the program features theoretical classes taught by leading experts and concludes with a certificate of completion.