WELCOME ADDRESS TO THE SYMPOSIUM

Agriculture is a traditional production activity in Sardinia, mainly of the extensive type. Even under these conditions, Horticulture, due to the favourable climatic conditions, meant an significant fraction of the production, it is enough to think of the artichoke.

As years went by and protected cultivation spread, Sardinia evolved and concentrated on this new activity. Albeit the climatic conditions are mild, the prevailing greenhouse was the iron and glass one, a quite sophisticated structure for this region, which allowed the operators to achieve a qualified and valuable production.

This activity was supported by an intense research work, carried out by technical-scientific structures financed by the local administration, aiding the producers with an adequate research work which allowed to get over the hard times.

That is the reason why we chose to face this subject here, in Sardinia. The local operators are aware that the cultivation technique in the greenhouse needs appropriate studies and experimentation to make the sector competitive. Nowadays very sophisticated techniques are available, allowing to get good production and to control negative phenomena of environmental impact.

I am certain that the works of this meeting, in the presence of the most qualified researches in the world, will greatly contribute to further on consolidate and develop protected cultivation.

Franco Tognoni
President of the Commission "Protected Cultivation"


OPENING ADDRESS

I am particularly pleased to welcome all the delegates who have honoured us by taking part in this International Symposium on New Cultivation Systems in Greenhouse.

A particular thanks goes to the President of the Sardinian Region, Hon. Antonello Cabras, and to the Authorities among us, whose presence confirms the importance of this Symposium to our region.

I would like express my hearty greetings and thanks to scientists, researchers, farmers and experts who as a matter of fact have come from the four continents, and who have brought to this venue the result of years of study and experience.

The Regional Centre for Experimental Agronomy is the first regional institute to be founded in Italy with the sole aim of experimentation and research in the agricultural sector. For this reason we willingly accepted the invitation extended by Prof. Franco Tognoni, Chairman of the Board for Protected Cultures of the International Society for Horticultural Science to organize this important Symposium.

Well aware of the technical, scientific as well as economic commitment that the organization of such a Symposium entails, we have considered it important to have the opportunity of availing ourselves of the data relating to international studies on the most important technological innovations in greenhouse cultivation, in such a time of great change.

On the other hand for some time now, protected cultures have represented an important economic entity in Sardinia, which is worthy of the greatest attention.

It is estimated that over 750 ha, representing 1,200 farms are dedicated to protected cultures. The yields obtained from greenhouse cultures account for 15% of the entire agricultural and zootechnical production in Sardinia. Greenhouse cultures are one of the few productive sectors exporting goods from Sardinia to the most important Italian markets.

Following Regional directives, C.R.A.S. has dedicated particular attention to experimentation and research in this sector. We believe the sector can offer good possibilities of expansion and economic development. Some of these studies started over twenty years ago, with the primary objective of the applicability of the research, and aimed at the solution of problems proposed by farmers and experts.

In 1981 C.R.A.S. founded a free chemical and agronomical laboratory service for greenhouse farmers, which was later extended to other agricultural operators. Four thousand samples of greenhouse substrates, agricultural soils, irrigation waters and vegetable material are tested per year by this service, totalling over 40,000 individual laboratory tests per year. Moreover the service will soon be extended to include other sectors such as the production of fodder and the dosing of pesticide residues in the produce.

As part of the research and experimentation carried out in greenhouse cultures, C.R.A.S. has dedicated particular attention to the application and adaptation of the new technology, developed mainly in the Centre and North of Europe, to situations that are typical of the Mediterranean environment.

The experimentation and research carried out in collaboration with different University Departments have given excellent results, which have been successfully applied to greenhouse cultures in Sardinia.

Particularly in recent years, studies on soilless culture using low cost inert substrates and cultivation techniques as well as special nutrient solutions have had an important effect on the territory.

In Sardinia this new technology and materials are used on a large scale today. We have over 40 Ha of cultivated greenhouses and a further expansion on even greater areas are forecasted.

But certainly the work carried out in this sector in the last twenty years has been as important. As a matter of fact the invitation to organize this Symposium by ISHS, an International Organization that boasts the membership of some of the largest research institutions in the world, is in itself an acknowledgement of the esteem and credibility of the work carried out in these years, in which we particular pride.

The objective of this Symposium is to take stock of technological innovation aimed at the economic improvement of production, in compliance with nature and humanity.

The response to this Symposium, both nationally and internationally, has been tremendous. More than eighty-five research works are presented at this Symposium by researchers and scientists from sixteen different countries. This shows that the subject and the objectives are of universal interest and that they pass over the confines of our island.

We believe the Symposium can become an opportunity for progress for all Sardinian farmers. In fact in this sector too, progress exist can not be without scientific research and international collaboration.

We therefore renew our welcome, particularly to those who have had to travel far to join us, and wish you all a pleasant and fruitful stay.