The global plant nursery sector will take centre stage at Macfrut with the Plant Nursery area, held at the Rimini Expo Centre from Tuesday 21 to Thursday 23 April. Designed as a hub for discussion and exchange in a key pre-harvest segment, the event is organised by the Italian Society for Horticulture, Floriculture and Fruit Growing (SOI) and CIVI-Italia (Interprofessional Centre for Nursery Activities), under the coordination of director Luigi Catalano.
Four dedicated events (Plant Nursery Arena – Hall A2) will bring together breeders, editors, nurseries, producers, technicians and researchers from around the world to address key topics shaping modern nursery production chains. These include new breeding techniques (TEAs) and plant variety protection rights, organic nurseries, the latest developments in tropical fruit – particularly mango and avocado – as well as rootstocks and innovation in the horticultural sector.
Plant Nursery 2026 programme
On Tuesday 21 April at 11:30, the event will open with a round table coordinated by Stefano La Malfa (president of the SOI fruit growing section and professor of arboriculture and tree crops at the University of Catania). The session will focus on the future of plant variety protection rights and include an open debate between breeders and nursery operators in the fruit and vegetable sectors. Updates on the agreement concerning new assisted evolution techniques will also be presented.
In the afternoon, starting at 15:00, the focus will shift to the Italian Organic Seed Plan (PNSB) and the role of nurseries specialised in the propagation of organic plants, in a market where demand is growing rapidly while the availability of suitable varieties remains limited.
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Tropical fruit will be the highlight of the main event on Wednesday 22 April (10:00–17:00), with the Tropical Fruit Congress. Italian and international researchers will discuss the evolution of varietal innovation in avocado, mango and other tropical fruits, analysing one of the most dynamic segments globally in light of climate change scenarios, emerging market opportunities and the role of research.
Finally, on Thursday 23 April at 10:00, a workshop will focus on the role, innovations and applications of grafting in production management. The session will explore the contribution of new biotechnologies, plant physiology and advanced agronomic techniques in developing more resilient and sustainable production systems.
