ISHS DGIP NEWSLETTER
September 2026
News and Developments from the Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
A New Term for DGIP
Welcome to the first newsletter of the ISHS Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture (DGIP) for the new term 2026-2030.
The newsletter will provide regular updates on scientific activities, upcoming symposia, Working Group initiatives, and other developments across the Division. It is planned to be published at least annually, with additional issues when important developments warrant more frequent communication.
On 8 September 2026, the newly elected DGIP leadership held its first online meeting, bringing together the Division Chair, Vice-Chair, and Chairs of the associated Working Groups. Particular attention was given to the future symposium programme. Working Groups that do not yet have two symposia scheduled for the current cycle agreed to develop and submit proposals for future scientific events by December 2026.
DGIP Leadership and Working Groups
The Division is chaired by Prof. Dr. Nazim Gruda, University of Bonn, Germany, with Dr. Giedrė Samuolienė, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Lithuania, serving as Vice-Chair.
DGIP currently includes six specialized Working Groups:
- Growing Media – Dr. James Altland
- Protected Cultivation, Nettings and Screens for Mild Climates – Dr. Francisco Moises del Amor Saavedra
- Hydroponics and Aquaponics – Assoc. Prof. Sammar Khalil
- Soil-Borne Pathogens – Dr. Miguel de Cara
- Organic Greenhouse Horticulture – Dr. Anna Rosberg
- Substrate Analysis – Chris Blok
The official ISHS website provides further information on ISHS groups and activities.
Strategic Direction
During the first leadership meeting, the Division also discussed its priorities for the coming years. DGIP aims to strengthen international scientific exchange and collaboration across the rapidly evolving field of greenhouse and indoor horticulture.
The Division covers production in greenhouses, tunnels, screenhouses, vertical farms, and other controlled environments, including both soil-based and soilless systems. Key priorities include climate resilience, resource-use efficiency, circular production systems, digitalization and automation, and translating scientific advances into horticultural practice.
DGIP will also continue to support young scientists and early-career professionals and to strengthen cooperation among researchers, industry, and other stakeholders through symposia, training activities, and joint initiatives.
A central element of this strategy is a strong and well-coordinated programme of international symposia.
Upcoming DGIP Symposia 2027–2029
30 March–3 April 2027 | Palermo, Italy, V International Symposium on Soilless Culture and Hydroponics
Hosted by the University of Palermo, the symposium will focus on advances in soilless cultivation and hydroponics, including sustainable production, resource efficiency, and circular and closed-loop systems.
Symposium Website – ISSCH 2027
Official ISHS Event Page
6–10 June 2027 | Wageningen, The Netherlands, GreenSys 2027 – International Symposium on Smart and Sustainable Greenhouse Systems
GreenSys2027 will bring together researchers and industry representatives working on smart, resilient, and sustainable Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). The symposium is organized in cooperation with the ISHS Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering.
GreenSys2027 Website
Official ISHS Event Page
13–17 September 2027 | Beijing, China, XI International Symposium on Soil and Substrate Disinfestation
The symposium will address advances in managing soil- and substrate-borne pathogens, including innovative and sustainable approaches to disinfestation and crop health.
Symposium Website – SD2027
Official ISHS Event Page
27–30 September 2027 | Athens, Greece, III International Symposium on Growing Media, Compost Utilization and Substrate Analysis for Soilless Cultivation
Hosted by the Agricultural University of Athens, the symposium will bring together international specialists in growing media, compost utilization, substrate characterization, and water and nutrient management for soilless cultivation.
Growing Media 2027 Website
Official ISHS Event Page
25–28 September 2028 | Catania, Italy, II International Symposium on Protected Cultivation, Nettings and Screens for Mild Climates
The symposium will focus on advances in protected cultivation for mild climates, including protective structures, nettings and screens, crop microclimate management, resource efficiency, and adaptation to changing climatic conditions.
24–29 June 2029 | Seoul, Republic of Korea, IV International Symposium on Growing Media, Compost Utilization and Substrate Analysis for Soilless Cultivation
The symposium will continue the international exchange on innovative growing media, substrate characterization and management, circular materials, and the environmental sustainability of soilless production systems.
Information will become available in due course in the ISHS Symposium Calendar
7–11 October 2029 | Tucson, Arizona, USA, GreenSys 2029
Hosted by the Controlled Environment Agriculture Center, University of Arizona, GreenSys 2029 will continue the international GreenSys series, emphasizing emerging technologies for intelligent, autonomous, resource-efficient, and climate-resilient greenhouse and controlled-environment production.
The symposium will again be organized in cooperation with the ISHS Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering.
Information will become available in due course in the ISHS Symposium Calendar
In addition, DGIP is co-organizing two symposia from two regional horticultural congresses: the VI European Horticultural Congress and the V Asian Horticultural Congress in 2028, and is open to supporting Horticultural Congresses in Africa and Latin America.
Join Us
DGIP warmly invites researchers, students, industry professionals, and other members of the global horticultural community to participate in these upcoming symposia, contribute their latest research, and become actively involved in the Division and its Working Groups.
Interested in joining DGIP? Sign in to your ISHS user account, navigate to the Divisions section, select Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture, and save your updated preferences.
We look forward to an active and productive new term and to meeting many of you at our forthcoming symposia.
ISHS Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture (DGIP)