ISHS Acta Horticulturae 351: III International Congress on Hazelnut
OPENING ADDRESS |
| Author: | Prof. Silviero Sansavini |
| Abstract:
Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen Nine years after the 2nd Congress at Avellino, hazelnut researchers have once again convened in Italy, this time at Alba, situated in the fertile and hospitable Piedmont where the hazelnut and some of its best Italian varieties have from time immemorial found an environment that enhances their qualities. It is indeed a great pleasure for me to extend to you a most cordial welcome on behalf of the ISHS and, particularly, of the Fruit Section, which in these two years since the original proposal was made has lent its full support to the efforts of Professor Piero Romisondo, who as you may remember also organized the 2nd Congress. And it is to him that we now turn our very first thoughts today, for unkind fortune has kept him these last few weeks from his appointed duties and from us here today, making it impossible for him to reap the well-earned fruits of his unstinting labours. To him go our wishes for his recovery. Let me note with pleasure that this 3rd Congress, which brings together almost a hundred scholars from twenty countries and will showcase more than 80 contributions divided between papers and posters, is organized by the Working Group on Nut Production. This group, which is chaired by the dynamic Dr. G. McGranahan, is relatively young - the initial request for approval dating to 1987 as per the proposal advanced by several nut groups working in Europe. Let me recall in this connection Agrimed and Grempa, certain research institutions in France, Spain, Italy and Portugal, and especially, the efforts of Dr. E. Germain and Ch. Grasselly, Dr. I. Gergely, Dr. F. Monastra and C. Fideghelli, Dr. J. Gomez-Pereira, Dr. A. Filippe and L. Rallo and the other 25 founder-members of the WG, which was officially established three years ago in Budapest. The Group today is quite numerous and has leaders of the calibre of Prof. Romisondo. It is also worth mentioning here such forthcoming events of the Group as those for almond, to be held at Agrigento in 1993, for pistachio at Kerman in Iran slated for 1994, and for walnut at Alcobaca in Portugal scheduled for 1995. The WG is thus destined to grow considerably, and its continuing efforts should be inspired by the spirit of the ISHS. Let me therefore reiterate our invitation for all group partecipants to become active members of the Society. The proceedings over the next few days will focus on many important aspects of hazelnut culture. In Italy, as in all the other growing areas, the data you will report are keenly awaited by researchers and growers alike, given the need to come up with new crop management and production plans and to find new stability in a European market that has recently been hard pressed by inordinate supplies of hazelnuts, especially the 25 thousand duty-free tonnes a year from Turkey. This market instability is accompanied by strong price fluctuations for growers, usually in a downward direction, that have generated situations of crisis which have proved resistant to short-term remedies. Yet it should also be noted that hazelnut has significant potential for development in the EC at least, thanks to the expansion of the confectionary industry, The eight major topics of the Congress are three more than those announced in third circular. It is to be expected that the Breeding and Genetic Improvement Session will shed light on the development of new genotypes suited to a range of environments, with enhanced quality characters and endowed with resistance to given pests and diseases. Important too is the session on "Economics, Marketing and Extension Services", for these are areas of study that should help to introduce the latest expertise into a crop that in this connection has been somewhat negleted and hard-hit by international competition. The contributions of biology and crop management too are as important as they are needed. For we must broaden our undestanding of training systems and orchard design. Nor must we overlook the importance of the single-stem tree rather than the bush system for the mechanization of field management and harvesting operations, techniques that along with ground picking should be disseminated more widely to enhance crop quality. Pest control is another priority issue. One of the prime concerns, especially in Europe, is the control of the bud mite (Eryophid), wich is largely resistant to chemical insecticides. Genetic resistance in this case would be of great importance. Another problem in this context is Eastern Filbert Blight in the USA, a fungus infection that may pose a threat to Europe in the future. Industrial processing is also of substantial interest. It can be improved by upgrading its technology and developing greater product diversification via promotion of such dietary derivatives as pasta, oil, meal and other valuable hazelnut by-products. It is my conviction that this 3rd Congress will be remembered as a milestone in the advancement of hazelnut culture throughout the world.
In concluding my remarks, let me thank Prof.
Romisondo, the members of the Organizing and Scientific Committees for a job well done, the numerous public agencies for their generous support, with special mention for the efforts of the Italian Society for Horticulture (SOI), the various associations and private concerns, all of whom contributed significantly to the preparations for and success of this Congress.
Let me simply add that we all hope to see the publication of the proceedings in the ISHS's Acta Horticulturae as soon as possible.
I wish you all the best in the coming days and hope you will enjoy your visit to Alba. As vice-president of the Nut Crops Working Group and on behalf of our President Dr. Gale Mc Granahan, I will like to greet you in Italy. The working group was formerly established in 1989, at Budapest during the International Walnut Symposium. In Florence, 1990, during the 23rd International Horticultural Congress the presidence office was elected and the subgroups and the leaders were established. The most important objectives of the working groups are:
Concerning the future congresses:
During this meeting, we can decide date and place for the next hazelnut congress; the first has been organized in Spain (Reus), the second and third in Italy (Avellino and Alba), the fourth should be organized in other countries such as Turkey or U.S.A. After the economy session, a short meeting of the Nut Working Group is planned to decide date and place of the next meeting. At the secretariat desk, the list of the members of the group will be available, selected for country. The colleagues interested on nuts are invited to check the list, if your name is not present, please fill the subscription form. Good-bye to the next Nut Meeting. | |
