PREFACE

The size (209 official participants) and narrow scope of this symposium was truly indicative of the international concern for energy efficiency in controlled environment agriculture. Participants from 23 different countries presented papers primarily on production horticulture, plant physiology, and engineering along with related papers on economics, breeding, and energy.

The broad international attendance was enhanced by keeping registration costs low and by many participants sacrificing personal finances in order to attend. There were 11 commercial sponsors and hosts who are listed on the title page. Many costs were minimized during the technical sessions by using the numerous resources and facilities of the Ohio State University. The Photography Laboratory and the Public Information Department of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center also assisted in preparing many parts of this proceedings.

Sherrie Leach, Marilyn Uhler and Barbara Alvey all worked many overtime hours in the Department of Agricultural Engineering to have an efficient registration and a complete proceedings with directories. Both Horticulture and Agricultural Engineering Department personnel planned and executed tours and programs. My wife, Karen, and some of the Agricultural Engineering Department wives planned and coordinated the many activities for the wives.

It was especially helpful during the nine months before the symposium to have the support and programming advice of George Germing, Christian von Zabletitz, Tadashi Takakura and Bill Roberts. Each made early plans to help finance the travel and paper presentation costs of co-workers. Bill Roberts also planned and executed a 5-day pre-symposium tour from New Jersey to Ohio via Canada for 51 scientists and spouses.

Most of all, it was the large number of active and enthusiastic researcher participants presenting good technical papers in English who made this symposium successful. Those of us in English speaking countries (especially the U.S.A.) seldom appreciate the work that is necessary to present technical information in another language. Indeed, we are indebted to your efforts.

The long term value of this proceedings will be its effect on advancing future controlled environment technology and related research. The future is ours to make. We must continue to shape it internationally by sharing our knowledge on technical subjects that increase the quality of life for everyone.

Ted H. Short
Convener