International Symposium
II International Symposium on
Nursery Production of
Certified Fruit Trees
Plant Propagation · Nursery Organization & Management · Certification
II International Symposium on Nursery Production of Certified Fruit Trees
The Agri-Food Research and Technology Centre of Aragón (CITA), the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), and the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) are pleased to invite you to participate in the II International Symposium on Nursery Production of Certified Fruit Trees, which will be held in Zaragoza from 20 to 23 September 2027.
These symposia, of international relevance, will offer research centers, universities, companies, and growers the opportunity to share the latest advances in research and innovation to address common challenges in areas such as Plant Propagation, Nursery Organization and Management for the Production of Certified Fruit Trees. The aim is to continue promoting scientific knowledge as well as technological and practical applications in the fruit-growing and horticultural sectors.
The Symposium will take place in the city of Zaragoza, located in northeastern Spain and capital of the Aragón region — a city with more than two thousand years of history, shaped by Roman, Muslim, Jewish, and Christian cultures, and home to iconic landmarks such as the Basilica del Pilar, the Aljafería Palace, and the Cathedral of La Seo.
Circulars & Announcements
Stay informed about the latest news and updates from the II International Symposium on Nursery Production of Certified Fruit Trees. Official circulars will be published here as they become available, covering key information about registration deadlines, abstract submission guidelines, programme announcements, and practical details for attendees.
Circulars will be distributed to all registered participants and will also be available for download from this section. We encourage you to check back regularly for updates.
For any enquiries in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact the symposium secretariat at certifruit2027@cita-aragon.es.
– Start date of abstract submission: 15 of DECEMBER 2026
– Deadline for abstract submission: 15 of APRIL 2027
– Deadline for abstract modification:15 of JUNE 2027
– Deadline for fulltext paper submission: 20 of SEPTEMBER 2027
– Deadline for fulltext paper modification: 30 OF NOVEMBER 2027
Official Circulars
Coming Soon
Circulars will be published here ahead of the Symposium
A City Where History Meets Innovation
The city of Zaragoza, capital of Aragón and one of Spain's most vibrant cultural and scientific hubs, will host the II International Symposium on Nursery Production of Certified Fruit Trees from 20 to 23 September 2027 under the aegis of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS). This international event brings together researchers, professionals, nurseries, and institutions from around the world to exchange knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and explore the latest advances in plant propagation and certified fruit tree production.
With more than 2,000 years of history, Zaragoza is a crossroads of civilisations. Romans, Muslims, Jews, and Christians have shaped its identity, leaving behind an extraordinary architectural and cultural legacy.
Zaragoza is known for its vibrant cultural life, its museums, and its unique blend of tradition and modernity. The city has hosted major international events, including the Expo 2008, which focused on water and sustainable development and left a lasting legacy along the banks of the Ebro River.
Zaragoza is a city that surprises visitors with its welcoming atmosphere, walkable streets, and rich Mediterranean character.
A Strategic Hub for Agriculture, Research & Innovation
Beyond its cultural appeal, Zaragoza stands out as a leading centre for agricultural and horticultural research. The region of Aragón has a long tradition in fruit production and nursery management, and hosts institutions that play a key role in European plant health and certification.
In recent years, Zaragoza has strengthened its role as a hub for innovation, sustainability, and intercultural dialogue within the Mediterranean region. Its strategic location, excellent connectivity, and strong academic and research institutions make it an ideal setting for international scientific and cultural exchange.
The city continues to promote collaboration through art, community initiatives, and shared heritage, reinforcing its commitment to fostering dialogue across the Euro-Mediterranean area.
Its historical heritage — from the Roman Forum to the unique Mudéjar art — coexists with a diversified economy and a growing agri-food sector. This combination of tradition, knowledge, and international outlook makes Zaragoza an exceptional setting for discussing current challenges in plant propagation and the production of certified fruit trees.
A Meeting Point for the Global Scientific Community
The 2027 Symposium aims to foster dialogue, share cutting-edge research, and strengthen collaboration among experts in:
- Plant propagation techniques
- Nursery management and certification
- Phytosanitary innovation
- Fruit tree breeding and production systems
Zaragoza’s commitment to sustainability, scientific excellence, and Mediterranean cooperation aligns perfectly with the goals of this international event.
Discover the City
Basilica del Pilar
Iconic Baroque landmark over the Ebro
Aljafería Palace
UNESCO Mudéjar Heritage — Islamic jewel
Cathedral of La Seo
Gothic, Renaissance & Mudéjar masterpiece
Historic Centre
Life, museums, gastronomy & culture
Key Research Institutions
CITA — Agri-Food Research and Technology Centre of Aragón
Leading organiser and key research hub for plant health and certification
CIHEAM Zaragoza
International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies
Dynamic Nursery & Industry Network
Nurseries, growers, and technology companies driving innovation
A Connected & Accessible Destination
Zaragoza's strategic location between Madrid and Barcelona ensures excellent national and international connections for all participants.
Travel & Accommodation
Zaragoza is located in the north-east of Spain, at a more or less similar distance from Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia (about 320 km). Below you will find detailed travel information to help you plan your journey.
Flying to Zaragoza
There is an International Airport in Zaragoza, but it is not a very big or busy one and there aren’t many regular companies operating there. There are the following:
- Air Europa — flights to and from Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca, Tenerife and Paris. • Iberia: flights to and from Paris and Frankfurt.
- Iberia — flights to and from Paris and Frankfurt.
- Ryanair — flights to and from London, Brussels, Milan and Paris.
- Volotea — flights to and from Ibiza, Málaga and Mallorca.
- Wizzair — flights to and from Bucarest and Cluj Napoca
Note: flights are not daily; companies often operate 2–3 times a week.
From the airport, bus line 501 reaches the city centre (Paseo María Agustín, 7) in ~45 min. A bus leaves every half an hour from Monday to Saturday between 6.15 a 23.15. On Sunday, a bus leaves every hour. Taxis also available:
- Radio Taxi Aragón: +34 976 38 38 38
- Radio Taxi Zaragoza: +34 976 42 42 42
- Radio Taxi Cooperativa: +34 976 75 75 75
From Madrid
If you cannot get a direct flight to Zaragoza, you can fly to Madrid Barajas and then:
- Bus — Direct withALSAfrom T4 airport to Zaragoza Delicias (≈3.5h)
- — High-speed train byRENFEfrom Atocha Station(NOT from the airport) to Zaragoza Delicias (≈1.5h). In order to go to the train station you’ll need to take the suburban commuter train (you can travel with your AVE ticket),cercanías line C1or theairport express buswhich leaves every 15 minutes from T1, T2 and T4.
Both bus and train arrive at Delicias Station in Zaragoza.
From Delicias Station, lines 51 and 34 reach the city centre; lines Ci1 and Ci2 go to the University area and the conference venue. Check the routes here. The website is in Spanish, so if you need assistance with this, we’ll be happy to help.
From Barcelona
Flying to Barcelona El Prat? Connections to Zaragoza:
- Bus — Direct withALSAfrom (NOT from the airport)Barcelona-Nord stationto Zaragoza Delicias (≈3.5h). Therefore, first you need to go from the airport to the station by bus (buses A1 or A2 + bus L1).
- — High-speed train byRENFEfrom (NOT from the airport)Barcelona-Santsto Zaragoza Delicias (≈1.5h), so you first you need to go from the airport to the station by bus (A1 or A2)
Both bus and train arrive at Delicias Station in Zaragoza (Av. Navarra, 80).
We look forward to seeing you in Zaragoza!
There will be a bus service scheduled to go from the city centre to the conference room. The following options are close to the bus meeting point:
Committees
The symposium is guided by dedicated organising and scientific committees bringing together leading experts in plant propagation, nursery management, and certified fruit tree production.
Organizing Committee
- María José Rubio CabetasCITA
- Pilar Errea AbadCITA
- María Teresa EspiauCITA
- Bibiana MacarullaCITA
Scientific Committee
Coming Soon
The Scientific Committee will be announced shortly
Programme
Programme Coming Soon
The programme will be available when closer to the Symposium. Please check back for updates on sessions, keynote speakers, and social events.
Zaragoza · September 2027Registration
Registration Will be Open Soon
Online registration will open shortly. In the meantime, we encourage you to set up or renew your ISHS membership.
Opening SoonUseful ISHS Links
Abstract Submission & ISHS Young Minds Award
Submit via ROSA — ISHS Online System
All abstracts and manuscripts must be submitted through the ROSA (Responsive Online System for Acta Horticulturae submission and review) platform.
Abstract Requirements
- Only abstracts submitted in English will be reviewed.
- Abstracts must not exceed 300 words.
- Abstracts must not contain tables, pictures or graphs.
- All abbreviations must be spelled out on first use.
- Abstracts should be thoroughly checked for spelling and grammar.
Submission Rules
An abstract submission charge is due upon submission of an abstract and applies to the presenting author only. For ISHS Individual members, the abstract submission charge is fully waived.
Those who do not hold a user account with ISHS yet: create an ISHS user account first at https://www.actahort.org/members/newmember?asc=1 . After payment and activation of your user account, you can start your abstract submission.
- Abstracts must always be submitted by the presenting author, using their own personal ISHS user account. Submitting an abstract on behalf of, or using the ISHS user account of another author is strictly prohibited.
- Abstracts submission deadline will be published soon. Authors will be notified of provisional acceptance of abstracts and will also be notified if the abstract has been selected for an oral or poster presentation.
- All oral presenters, including invited and keynote speakers, must submit a manuscript for Acta Horticulturae according to the Acta Horticulturae guidelines before the symposium. (Alternatively, presenters have the option to submit a full scientific manuscript on the topic presented at the symposium, for publication in the ISHS Scientific Journal eJHS in lieu of submitting a manuscript for Acta Horticulturae. Papers submitted in this manner will go through the standard procedures for peer-reviewed journal papers.) Oral presenters who fail to submit a manuscript for publication in Acta Horticulturae or the ISHS Scientific Journal may be refused the floor for making their oral presentation. Authors of posters are strongly encouraged to prepare and submit a manuscript for Acta Horticulturae.
- Presenting authors of abstracts accepted for presentation (both oral/poster) must register for the symposium. Failing to register for the symposium will result in your abstract being withdrawn from the symposium program and your manuscript being withdrawn from the Acta Horticulturae symposium proceedings.
- Failing to present (oral/poster) at the symposium will result in the manuscript being withdrawn from the Acta Horticulturae symposium proceedings.
ISHS Young Minds Award
Best oral presentation given by a junior scientist who is simultaneously the presenter and first author of the Acta Horticulturae manuscript.
Best poster presented by a junior scientist who is the first author of the work.
Oral & Poster
Coming Soon
Details on oral and poster presentation format and guidelines will be published here ahead of the Symposium.
Sponsors
Coming Soon
Sponsorship information and opportunities will be announced here. For enquiries, contact us at certifruit2027@cita-aragon.es.
Symposium Secretariat
For all enquiries related to the II International Symposium on Nursery Production of Certified Fruit Trees, please contact the symposium secretariat and support team.
certifruit2027@cita-aragon.esZaragoza, Spain · 20–23 September 2027