UGR researchers are delighted to share a very exciting stage in their scientific career: a one-month research stay between Luxembourg and Germany, thanks to the Horizon Europe SOSVITI project and the Marie Curie Staff Exchange program. Lucia Moreno and María Teresa González were gaining valuable insights into agricultural management techniques, soil degradation, and viticulture, while continuing their PhD research at the Institut fir Biologesch Landwirtschaft an Agrarökologie Luxemburg (IBLA) and the Universität Trier. They were truly grateful to Sabine Keßler, Ségolène Charvet, and Manuel Seeger for their warm welcome and inspiring discussions.
Last week, Lucía and María Teresa had the chance also to join an inspiring excursion organized by IBLA. In the morning, they visited Hochschule Geisenheim University, where they explored extensive agricultural plots dedicated mainly to vineyards. They were impressed by the wide range of experiments involving different grape varieties, management practices, and the integration of agriculture with innovative technologies. In the afternoon, they enjoyed a visit to the fairytale village of Bacharach, followed by an excellent wine tasting at Dr. Kauer’s organic winery. A special thanks to Jörg Pauly (IBLA) for guiding them throughout the day and sharing so many valuable insights.
Moreover, together with Prof. Manuel Seeger (University of Trier), they had the opportunity to attend the Weinbergsbegehung 2025 – Versuche im Überblick at the Institut viti-vinicole in Luxembourg, organized by the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST). Through IBLA, they were introduced to this important event, which highlighted ongoing research in sustainable agriculture and viticulture. Field trials presented innovative cultivation techniques, strategies to tackle fungal diseases, and approaches to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
The resilience of vineyards was a central theme: ensuring sustainable viticulture requires combining scientific research, long-term experimentation, and practical solutions for growers. This enriching experience underscored the importance of collaborative research for the future of viticulture in Luxembourg, Germany, and beyond.
Feeling grateful, motivated, and inspired by the opportunity to contribute to building resilient and sustainable agricultural systems through EGEMAP (Environmental Geography and Mapping) and the University of Granada.
