PREFACE

It is therefore appropriate that the first International Protea Research Symposium was held in South Africa. This meeting was combined with the 3rd International Protea Conference. The Symposium was organised under the auspices of the International Society for Horticultural Science and the Conference under the auspices of the International Protea Association.

This first Protea Research Symposium was the outcome of the work of the Protea Research Working Group which was formed under the Ornamentals Section of the ISHS in March 1984. The main emphasis of the Symposium was placed on formal scientific meetings at which papers were presented on a variety of the most recent research aspects of protea growing, from breeding and propagation to post-harvest handling. These papers are compiled in this volume of Acta Horticulturae. Several technical excursions were offered to allow participants to acquaint themselves with protea growing in South Africa.

The combination of growers and scientists at the same meeting led to very fruitful discussions and excellent co-operation in future is envisaged.

I have to thank all the people, scientific, technical, administrative and growers who have devoted time and energy to this Symposium and Conference and thus contributed to an even greater success than was expected. The 150 participants from nine countries around the world made full use of the opportunity to communicate and I truly believe that the foundation was laid for increased activity in protea growing and research.

The generous financial support of the Department of Agriculture and Water Supply is recognised with thanks.

Dr. D.I. FERREIRA
Co-chairman, Organising Committee