ISHS Acta Horticulturae 346: V International Symposium on Vaccinium Culture
FOREWARD AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS |
| Author: | K. Clayton-Greene |
| Abstract:
The Fifth International Symposium on Vaccinium culture began in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, then transited to Melbourne and finished in Rotorua New Zealand. Although complex, such an itinerary gave participants the opportunity to see nearly all the facets of what is a new but burgeoning industry in the South West Pacific. The symposium was planned to give participants a thorough overview of Vaccinium culture around the world as well as show how it is managed in countries with no tradition/history of the product. I believe the symposium succeeded in both these objectives despite the now obligatory heatwave conditions which seem to follow Vaccinium Symposia. Special thanks are due to a number of people and organisations: Mr Gary Wright and Peter McPherson of Blueberry Farms of Australia Ltd., Mr Narandra Patel from HortResearch New Zealand, Ms Teresa Patterson and Dr Graeme Frith from Department of Agriculture Victoria and Ms Zora Artis from the New South Wales Tourist Bureau. In addition, thanks are due to a large number of growers both in Australia and New Zealand who unselfishly gave us time to visit their properties at their busiest time of year: S. Dobson, G. Frith, H. Langford, H. Frost, G. Furniss, R. & J. Coppock, R. Clarke, P. Quinn and the Waikato Blueberry Growers. Lastly, the Institute for Horticultural Development must be acknowledged for providing resources to the project and the ISHS editor and secretariat for assistance in publicising and organising the Symposium. It is clear from the contents of this Acta that Vaccinium culture is growing throughout the world and not only with the traditional blueberry and cranberry but also lingonberries and other Vaccinium spp. Blueberries are no longer a novel crop in countries outside their traditional range. We can only look forward to the next Symposium in Maine in 1997. I would lastly like to thank all the authors who had their manuscripts prepared for the Symposium and saved me considerable time and Prof.
Elden Stang whose experience from the 1988 Symposium saved me considerable time. | |
