ISHS Acta Horticulturae 244: IV International Symposium on Quality of Vegetables
PREFACE |
| Author: | C. Dennis |
| Abstract:
This was the fourth symposium organised under the auspices of the working group 'Quality of Vegetables'. Previous symposia were held in Lund, Sweden in 1979, Traspol, USSR in 1981 and Ås, Norway in 1984. All of these symposia were highly successful in bringing together scientists and businessmen from several different countries to discuss the developments in vegetable quality and how this can be influenced pre- and post-harvest. The present symposium was no exception with 63 participants from 15 different countries from as far afield as Japan, Australia and USA in addition to Europe and Scandinavia. In 13 years the world will enter a new century and it was therefore opportune for participants at the symposium to stop and look at the developments which have taken place in the vegetable industry and consider where it will be at the turn of the century. This symposium focused on the quality requirements for vegetables in the 21st century and what steps will be necessary to achieve them. Apart from the many interesting papers and posters which are reported in these Proceedings, participants were able to visit and tour the Campden Food and Drink Research Association, the Institute of Horticulture Research Laboratory at Wellesbourne (formerly the National Vegetable Research Station) and the Luddington Experimental Horticulture Station and to see the role each of these renowned research centres plays in enhancing the quality of fresh and processed vegetables. In addition a day's excursion was arranged to companies in Stratford-upon-Avon and the Vale of Evesham to observe growing, preparation, processing and retailing of vegetables. We wish to thank most sincerely the following organisations for their warm welcome and full cooperation: Ken Perrett Group, Evesham, Pershore College of Horticulture, G. Wilson Revill & Son, Pershore and Stratford-upon-Avon Foods Ltd and Safeway Stores, Stratford-upon-Avon. We also offer our thanks and appreciation to GPG Ltd, Geest Foods Ltd, ICI Agrochemicals Division and Booker Seeds for their generous financial support and contributions to the symposium. I hope that this symposium will be remembered as a meeting not only of high scientific standard but one which provided a forum for an effective dialogue between 'researchers' and 'practitioners'. Undoubtedly new knowledge was gained and the bonds of friendship between participants from the different countries strengthened. We look forward to the next symposium in the early 1990's. | |
