It is with deep sadness that I entrust to these brief lines the memory of my dear colleague Nicola Dallabetta, who passed away on 24 June last.
For many years he worked at the Agricultural Institute of San Michele all'Adige, now the E. Mach Foundation, and had recently embarked on a new adventure through collaboration with Agromillora. Despite this professional change, his contacts and collaboration with his colleagues at the Foundation remained the same as before, maintaining his friendship and his desire to experiment with new things such as the recently started trials on apple and cherry rootstocks.
Those who knew him through work appreciated his technical expertise, his closeness to the world of production, and his professionalism, but also his interpersonal skills during study trips with colleagues from other research institutes.
I cherish the memory of the friendship and work we did together, and send my thoughts to his wife Elizabeth and daughters Rachel and Rebecca.
Farewell, Nicola.
Tommaso Pantezzi
Fondazione E.Mach
04 Jun 2026
Early monitoring, traps, field sanitation and rapid cooling are key against spotted wing drosophila. AI can support berry growers with risk forecasting, automated trap checks and faster decisions to improve IPM, reduce hidden infestations and protect fruit quality before harvest.
30 Jun 2025
In Lebanon, cherry farmers and agri-SMEs from the Bekaa Valley and Mount Lebanon are receiving ILO-supported training to meet EU compliance standards. The initiative aims to boost certification, strengthen value chains, and improve access to international export markets.
14 Jul 2026
A study assesses walnut and hazelnut water pollen extracts as natural alternatives to IBA in the micropropagation of CAB-6P and Gisela 6 cherry rootstocks, highlighting effects on rooting, shoot growth, chlorophyll, carbohydrates and in vitro plant quality and vigor.
14 Jul 2026
A field study in Prosser, Washington, examines how horticulturists, growers and pruners choose where to cut cherry and apple trees, turning expert intuition into explicit rules for automated dormant pruning, crop-load management and more consistent orchard decisions.
