Laimburg, a splendid location in South Tyrol, is renowned for its famous agri-food research institute. Situated a few kilometers from Bolzano, it is easily accessible from the Brenner Motorway. Surrounded by lush vineyards and orchards, Laimburg offers a picturesque landscape and a rich agricultural tradition.
The prestigious Laimburg research center is known for its innovation and development of cutting-edge technologies in the agricultural sector. Specializing in crop studies, sustainable resource management, and food quality, the center supports local agriculture through applied research and collaborations with local companies.
With a multidisciplinary approach, it aims to improve agricultural productivity and promote sustainable practices, significantly contributing to the advancement of the regional agri-food sector.
The Laimburg research institute has launched the INSTINCT project, a cutting-edge initiative in the field of precision agriculture. INSTINCT focuses on using advanced technologies to optimize crop management and improve agricultural practices.
A key objective of the project is the integration of intelligent sensors and monitoring systems to collect real-time data on plant and soil conditions. This technology allows, for example, the remote monitoring of harmful insects such as the spotted wing drosophila and the apple fruit fly, avoiding the manual inspection of each individual fruit.
The use of intelligent sensors allows for precise data collection, reducing the use of synthetic insecticides and minimizing the environmental impact of agriculture. This approach increases productivity and reduces the use of resources such as water and pesticides, contributing to more sustainable agricultural management.
The INSTINCT project is co-funded by the European Union and implemented in collaboration with the University of Bolzano, Eurac, and innovative companies like Genoa-based FOS S.p.A. It also involves local agricultural companies as pilot partners to test and refine the developed technologies.
Thanks to these collaborations, the Laimburg research institute aims to create a replicable model of precision agriculture that can be adopted in other regions. In summary, INSTINCT represents a synergy between technology and agriculture, promoting more efficient and sustainable agricultural management.
Source: Milano Città Stato
Image: Milano Città Stato
28 May 2025
In Taishan, the 2025 cherry season kicks off: e-commerce, cold chain logistics, and livestreaming bridge agricultural tradition and innovation. The initiative promotes local products like cherries, delivering them across China and beyond with premium logistics.
04 Aug 2023
In the January-April period, the monitoring network of the E. Mach Foundation detected catches of Drosophila suzukii up to ten times higher than the average of the last decade. This explains the intensity of the attack recorded on the cherry crop since the last ten days of May.
07 Apr 2026
A University of Bologna study confirms the effectiveness of Europollen Zimex on Kordia cherries and Dori kiwi in Emilia-Romagna, showing improvements in fruit quality and fruit set, based on data collected in commercial orchards during the 2025 growing season.
07 Apr 2026
Multifunctional cherry covers affect microclimate, photosynthesis and yield. Trials in Emilia Romagna and Campania show that 20% shading improves plant water status, fruit growth and productivity while maintaining overall fruit quality under varying conditions.
