Root to Fruit Days 2026: at the heart of tomorrow's tomato and rootstock innovations

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In early July, Vilmorin-Mikado welcomed nearly 60 producers, nurseries, distributors and international partners for Root to Fruit Days 2026, a global event dedicated to tomatoes and rootstocks. Over the course of a number of days, participants discovered the company's future innovations, talked with its experts and explored the behind-the-scenes research that is shaping the varieties of tomorrow.

Showcasing the innovations meeting the challenges of tomorrow

Faced with the increasing number of challenges experienced by producers — disease pressure, climate change, market expectations and the quest for agronomic performance — varietal innovation has a key role to play. These Root to Fruit Days presented Vilmorin-Mikado's vision and direction for the years to come. Through expert presentations, demonstrations and technical exchanges, participants learned about the work being done on future generations of tomato varieties and rootstocks as well as innovations currently in development.

A highlight of the event was a visit to the tomato and rootstock platform, set up specially to allow participants to discover a wide selection of varieties currently in development. This life-size showcase offered producers, nurseries and distributors a concrete vision of the innovations that will be enriching Vilmorin-Mikado’s ranges in the coming years.

Guided by the selection and marketing teams, visitors were able to see the agronomic performance, fruit characteristics, resistance profiles and different market segments targeted by these future varieties. These discussions in the greenhouse also gave experts an opportunity to gather the professionals’ reactions, expectations and feedback in a wide variety of production scenarios.

Immersion in the heart of Vilmorin-Mikado research

Another highlight of the event was a visit to research and experimentation facilities.

Participants were able to find out about several key links in the innovation process, including pre-breeding work, as well as research programs being undertaken on the main health issues of tomato and rootstock cultivation. Visits to the pathology lab and research facilities provided a concrete vision of how the Vilmorin-Mikado teams are developing the varieties of tomorrow.

This immersion also highlighted the expertise of the production, quality control and seed technology teams, whose work helps to transform market expectations into concrete solutions for producers.

Direct exchanges with experts

Throughout the event, participants were able to meet with Vilmorin-Mikado specialists during technical sessions and in special discussion areas.
These meetings offered an opportunity to address major topics for the future of the sector, such as disease resistance, new producer expectations, market developments and the impact of ToBRFV in different regions of the world.

Building innovation with stakeholders in the field

Beyond presenting new products, the Root to Fruit Days were intended as a platform for exchanges between Vilmorin-Mikado teams and professionals in the sector.
Participants discussed their challenges, expectations and perspectives for the years to come. Whether about health issues, climate change or new market expectations, such feedback is a valuable source of information guiding future research and selection programs.
By bringing together partners, experts and research teams from around the world, Root to Fruit Days 2026 demonstrated Vilmorin-Mikado’s desire to develop its innovation in close collaboration with players in the sector.