Laimburg Research Centre
Fruit Growing
Fruit Growing Research Area
The Fruit Growing Research Area works in basic research as well as in experimental activities destined for agricultural practice to deal with the many challenges faced by the fruit growing sector in South Tyrol. Its main focus is on the main crop of apples, but also on stone fruits, berries and nuts.
Experimental actions applied to fruit growing focus on:
- Cultivation and trials of new varieties
- Sustainable growth approaches for healthy trees
- Quality-orientated production control to obtain optimal harvests
- Eco-friendly use of fertilisers and irrigation
- Digitalisation and mechanisation for efficient growing
Specific attention is paid to organic growing methods, with the aim of promoting sustainable solutions that respect the environment.
Contact
Pomology Working Group
It is essential to adapt varieties to meet the challenges posed by the climate crisis and the continuously developing needs of the market. The Pomology Working Group is focused on the research and development of new apple varieties, promoting apple farming that is more competitive and more sustainable.
Scope of Activities
- Evaluation of varieties and rootstocks: assessment of the suitability of new apple varieties from all over the world for the soil and climate conditions of South Tyrol, with a specific focus on the quality of the fruit, the hardiness of the trees, and their agronomic characteristics.
- Apple breeding programme: development of new varieties that meet the needs of consumers in terms of the fruit’s characteristics and the ability to adapt to ongoing climate changes. Specific focus on pest resistance.
- Research on new breeding technologies: participation in international cooperation projects for the development of innovative selection methods for new varieties.
- Germplasm collection with more than one hundred ancient and local varieties: description and characterisation of historic varieties. Budwood for grafting is available on request.
- Certified conservation and pre-multiplication: provision of healthy, checked propagation material for the production of certified plants in the nursery.
More detailed information on the apple varieties studied is available on the website Pomosano.
Contact
Projects
All projects of the Pomology Working Group.
![[External link] Projects](https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/9b4df8e2-acc0-0145-4bdd-558666d926a2/56efb6e8-ab0c-4630-a737-bab56f895c2e/thumbnail_Icona_Lavagna1.png?w=80&fit=crop&fm=webp&lossless=0&q=75)
Publications
Publications by the Pomology Working Group at the Fruit Growing and Viticulture Institute.
![[External link] Publications](https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/9b4df8e2-acc0-0145-4bdd-558666d926a2/bf5b0195-0fff-4598-9d3b-68e49f267c7c/Publikationen.png?w=80&fit=crop&fm=webp&lossless=0&q=75)
Forms and Price list
Download the forms and price list for the Pomology Working Group here.
![[External link] Forms and Price list](https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/9b4df8e2-acc0-0145-4bdd-558666d926a2/b8208389-84f2-4d8b-ad90-052fda072427/Icona_prezzi-report-moduli.png?w=80&fit=crop&fm=webp&lossless=0&q=75)
Soil, Fertilisation and Irrigation Working Group
Crop yield and productivity mainly depend on the availability of light, water, and nutrients. A balanced supply of these elements is essential to obtain high-quality products and to guarantee greater sustainability in farming.
Scope of activities
- Field tests with different irrigation systems and levels: tests of the optimum water supply to maximise production yield and quality.
- Studies of the efficiency of different foliar fertilisers and their side effects: assessment of different products based on the absorption of nutrients and sustainable costs.
- Experiments to combat soil fatigue: development of strategies to improve soil health and guarantee stable yields over the long term.
- Studies of the effects of different light conditions: analysis of the influence of light intensity and quality on plant growth.
- Development and assessment of digital agriculture technologies: optimisation of growing techniques by implementing advanced sensors and analysing data.
These research activities make an essential contribution to the development of more efficient, sustainable crops.
Contact
Projects
All projects of the Soil, Fertilisation and Irrigation Working Group.
Publications
Publications by the Soil, Fertilisation and Irrigation Working Group at the Fruit Growing and Viticulture Institute.
Forms and Price list
Download the forms and price list for the Soil, Fertilisation and Irrigation Working Group here.
Organic Farming Working Group
The Working Group on Organic Farming addresses a wide range of issues related to organic agriculture in South Tyrol. Its long-standing experience in applied research and development, based on agroecological principles, forms the foundation for advancing organic farming with a focus on sustainability and resilience. Our objectives include strengthening yield stability, ensuring food quality, improving soil fertility, and promoting functional biodiversity and natural pest regulation.
Scope of activities:
- Variety testing: Evaluation of new cultivars and rootstocks under organic farming conditions
- Plant protection strategies: Development and optimization of pest management approaches, integrating preventive and direct measures
- Cropping systems: Research on production systems based on evolutionary agroecological principles
- Yield regulation and quality assurance: Development of innovative technical methods, automation, and digitalization to secure yields
- Nutrient management and soil fertility: Investigation of sustainable nutrient supply, soil-conserving cultivation practices, and soil–plant interactions
These research activities contribute to the continuous improvement and dissemination of organic farming in South Tyrol.
Contact
Projects
All projects of the Organic Farming Working Group.
Publications
Publications by the Organic Farming Working Group at the Fruit Growing and Viticulture Institute.
Fruit Physiology Working Group
The aim of modern fruit growing is to obtain regular yields of excellent quality. Sunlight plays a central role in this and can be optimised through the correct plant cultivation and suitable pruning of trees. Moreover, specific regulation of growth and production volume offers constant yields while at the same time, preserving the physiological balance of the trees.
Scope of activities:
- Assessment of new training systems to make better use of sunlight: development of innovative methods for efficient use of light to support optimum plant growth.
- Evaluation of different pruning systems to improve fruit quality and limit vegetative growth: study of pruning techniques to boost fruit quality and specifically regulate tree development.
- Assessment of thinning techniques for blossoms and fruitlets: definition of strategies to ensure regular harvests and good fruit quality.
- Studies on the effects of pre-harvest pneumatic defoliation: analysis of the impact of techniques for early leaf removal to improve the development and quality of fruit.
These research approaches help to increase the efficiency and sustainability of fruit growing, fostering regular yields and excellent quality.
Contact
Projects
All projects of the Fruit Physiology Working Group.
Publications
Publications by the Fruit Physiology Working Group at the Fruit Growing and Viticulture Institute.
Berries, Stonefruits and Nuts Working Group
The mid-mountain zone climate fosters the production of excellent quality berries, stone fruits and nuts, offering significant opportunities for mountain agriculture. These crops can provide an important source of additional income and contribute to the economic survival of mountain farms. For such crops to become established in an alpine environment, it is essential to use varieties able to withstand local climate conditions and to use cultivation techniques that take the specific structural characteristics of the area into account.
Scope of activities:
- Assessment of berry, stone fruit and nut varieties: testing cultivation suitability for mid-mountain zones.
- Research into efficient variety-rootstock combinations: selection and assessment of suitable combinations for growing at higher altitudes in mountain zones.
- Analysis of different cultivation techniques and management practices: development and optimisation of cultivation methods and agricultural practices to suit the specific conditions in mid-mountain zones.
- Consultancy for the selection of varieties and cultivation management: support in the identification of varieties and the implementation of optimal cultivation management techniques for sustainable, profitable production.
These research activities contribute to the development and success of berry, stone fruit and nut production in mid-mountain zones, promoting ecological and economical sustainability for mountain agriculture.
Contact
Projects
All projects of the Berries, Stonefruit and Nuts Working Group
Publications
Publications by the Berries, Stonefruit and Nuts Working Group at the Fruit Growing and Viticulture Institute.