Global innovations in avocados and mangoes, minor tropical and subtropical fruit species, ecological nursery production, rootstocks and horticultural innovation, and plant breeders’ rights: these are the core themes of Plant Nursery, the exhibition dedicated to innovation in the nursery sector. From 21 to 23 April 2026, the Rimini Expo Centre will once again turn Macfrut into a meeting and exchange hub for breeders, editors, nurseries, growers, technicians and researchers.
Now in its fourth edition, Plant Nursery is organised by SOI (Italian Society for Horticulture and Fruit Growing) and CIVI-Italia (Interprofessional Centre for Nursery Activities, founded in 1991 and uniting nurserymen and producer organisations), coordinated by director Luigi Catalano. The exhibition has established itself internationally thanks to its cross-cutting approach, focusing on Italy’s nursery fruit and vegetable production while exploring key topics such as new varieties, cultivation, rootstocks, research, breeders’ rights and new commercial strategies.
Four scientific events are scheduled at Macfrut 2026. On Tuesday 21 April, the programme opens with a special focus on Mango and Avocado Day: Crops and Supply Chain. Together with top international experts, the session will showcase the latest research, innovations and production trends, along with updates on market developments.
On Wednesday 22 April, the spotlight shifts to tropical and subtropical fruit growing, featuring papaya and other minor species – crops increasingly present in southern European countries due to climate change.
Later that same afternoon, a dedicated session will address ecological nursery production for fruit and vegetable species, while the final day of Macfrut will focus on grafting and horticultural innovation: from genome editing to field applications. Another key topic will be plant breeders’ rights for new varieties, presented as a strategic tool for the development and competitiveness of Italy’s production chains.
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“The conferences, organised in collaboration with the Italian Society of Horticulture and Fruit Growing, will cover a wide range of topics and address both current issues and future challenges,” explains coordinator Luigi Catalano.
“They will focus on the two flagship products of Macfrut 2026, avocado and mango, while also highlighting so-called minor species (papaya, cherimoya, macadamia, etc.). These products, increasingly important in the global market, will be analysed with a sector-wide approach by leading experts. In Italy, they are already experiencing double-digit growth, although domestic production cannot yet meet the demand for plants for new fruit orchards.
There will also be room for innovation in the nursery sector, with special attention to ecological nurseries and the use of rootstocks in horticulture.
Finally, we will address the topical issue of protected varietal innovation through breeders’ rights, especially considering the expected updates to the regulation of new breeding techniques, which could become key levers for boosting the competitiveness of production chains.”
