- Dr. Ken Breen is based in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, and he is a Senior Scientist and Science Team leader for the Berry and Stone Fruit Physiology team at the New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research. Over the past 22 years, his research has concentrated on the physiology of fruit development and production in apples and pears in intensive orchard systems.
- Current research is centred on whole tree physiology of deciduous fruit crops, specifically flowering and fruit set physiology, canopy light relations, crop load management, and fruit quality. Some of this work is related to development and global commercialisation of new scions and rootstocks, e.g. JazzTM, EnvyTM, SmittenTM and Dazzle® apples; piqa®boo® pear. This work involves significant collaboration with international scientific networks of physiologists, crop and environmental modellers, breeders, postharvest physiologists and sensory scientists.
- He is also involved in international aid work. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Tasmania and a M.Sc. and B.Sc. from the University of Natal. Prior to moving to New Zealand in 2002, Ken directed and managed a number of agricultural businesses through South Africa and Zimbabwe for ten years.