PREFACE

The Symposium concept arose from a desire to gain direction for researchers working in the former crops leading to more effective research programmes in both basic and applied areas of plant physiology.

The present technological demands for newer industries are for initial guidelines for environmental adaptation and cultural recommendations. Established crops require more basic understanding to provide the technology for further expansion and economic development. In each case there is a need to give priority for work leading to commercial application. Such application is best evaluated by relating the likely impact of work on the ultimate productivity of the crop.

The term productivity is used in the wider sense, meaning the nett economic return which is dependent on yield and quality after the costs of capital, crop cultural and management inputs, and marketing, are taken into consideration. "Productivity" provides an objective yardstick of relevance to industry from whom support for research is increasingly being required.

For these reasons the symposium gave priority to research and discussion which can be related to the performance of the whole plant. In addition, to meet the objectives of the symposium, emphasis was divided equally between the physiological understanding derived from research and a critical discussion of its usefulness.

With these concepts in mind the following symposium objectives were set:-

1. To evaluate research approaches, techniques, equipment and results in sub-tropical and tropical tree crops with respect to their impact on the physiological understanding of tree function and their practical application to field productivity.
2. To assess the effectiveness of approaches and research methods in other tree crops, as a guide to research initiatives in sub-tropical and tropical fruit trees.

The programme in the main consisted of invited Review papers on specific disciplines followed by selected contributed paper presentations and discussions. The authors of these reviews and papers were directed to address the objectives of the symposium using their research approach and results more as an example rather than just a parade of technology. In practice this was well achieved with both technology transfer and research approach being served. This part of the programme was supported by Poster and display sessions. The latter displays were presented by the University of Queensland, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization and seven commercial scientific equipment suppliers. A feature of the programme was the the Concurrent Workshop Discussion sessions which provided a forum for people to concentrate on evaluating the usefulness of approaches and techniques in the research of the various disciplines under study.

Associated with the formal programme were pre and post symposium tours taking in the sub-tropical fruit growing areas of the Sunshine Coast in Southern Queensland and the North Coast Area of New South Wales.

The symposium was considered a highly useful and successful interchange between workers in this field and the organising committee were grateful to receive the many commendations and letters of appreciation following the symposium from those who had attended.

B.W. Cull
PROGRAMME CHAIRMAN