Poland conference on greenhouse and tunnel crops

The 16th Fruit and Vegetable Industry Fair, scheduled for January 23–24, 2026, in Kielce, Poland, will include the "Under Cover" conference. The event will address current challenges and development directions in greenhouse and tunnel cultivation, with participation from researchers, growers, and industry representatives.

Key topics on the agenda
The programme includes lectures and thematic sessions on plant protection, virus management, stress tolerance, and alternative cultivation methods. Dr. Eng. Dorota Łabanowska-Bury from Pod Osłonami.pl and Agro Smart Lab will review vegetable protection challenges in tunnel cultivation in the Radom production region, with a focus on the 2025 season. Dr. Sylwia Stępniewska-Jarosz of the Plant Disease Clinic will outline the most frequently detected diseases in greenhouse and tunnel vegetable crops. Assoc. Prof. Beata Komorowska from the Institute of Horticulture will examine tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) and other viruses in tomato cultivation.

Tomasz Krasowski from Delphy will present strategies for managing ToBRFV and PepMV through cultivation practices, grafting, and resistant varieties. Dr. Eng. Dorota Łabanowska-Bury will also discuss approaches to cultivating vegetables without residues of plant protection substances. Dr. Eng. Agnieszka Stępowska from the Stefan Batory Academy of Applied Sciences in Skierniewice will explain methods to increase tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses in vegetable plants. Dr. Eng. Gabriela Wyżgolik will assess the opportunities and challenges associated with vertical farming.

The conference seeks to provide a platform for knowledge exchange between science, production practice, and the media, with emphasis on issues influencing production efficiency and sustainable development.

Protected cultivation trends
The discussion is set against a backdrop of climate variability, stricter residue regulations, and changing consumer demands regarding food safety. Protected cultivation is increasingly viewed as a means of securing stable yields and quality standards.

According to the "Global Greenhouse Update 2025," greenhouse cultivation areas and vegetable production under cover have nearly doubled in several regions in recent years. Forecasts suggest average annual growth of 7–10% in the global greenhouse market over the next decade.

Attention is also shifting to vertical systems, controlled environment agriculture (CEA), and biological protection methods, alongside growing demand for production without chemical residues.

Event details
The "Under Cover" conference will take place on January 23–24, 2026, at Targi Kielce, Poland, as part of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Fair.