The Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterránea La Mayora (IHSM-UMA-CSIC) was created in 2010 as a synergy between consolidated research groups from the experimental station of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones científicas (CSIC) and from the University of Málaga (UMA) to promote and more efficiently coordinate scientific research in intensive horticulture and subtropical fruit growing that had been developing in the two entities.

The research areas of the institute range from molecular aspects of plants and their pathogens, to crop management. The Institute's goal is to promote research and innovation in the area of production of subtropical and Mediterranean cultures, focusing on the quality and safety of fruit, as well as crop protection and sustainability.