WELCOME ADDRESS

In the name of the International Society for Horticultural Science I should like to welcome you here in Gent, Belgium. Prof. Dr. De Boodt, the Chairman of the new working group ‘Artificial Media in Horticulture’, has prepared the symposium. I wish to thank him for the organisation. My thanks also to Ir. Van Onsem, Melle, our Vice-Chairman, who leads the Section ‘Ornamental Plants’ of the International Society for Horticultural Science, and who offers us certainly some good possibilities to visit research stations and growers in the environment of Ghent and Melle. I am also very thankfull to the authorities of the university of Ghent and to the municipal government. Without their assistance certainly many difficulties in preparing and realizing this symposium would have occured. Last and not least I think we especially must thank all collaborators of our Chairman for their help in organizing this symposium.

The idea to form a new working group ‘Artificial Media in Horticulture’ was born in Dublin, Ireland on the occasion of the last meeting of the working group ‘Peat in Horticulture’ 1971. As Chairman of the Commission ‘Plant Substrates’ I think it is necessary to intensify research work in this field and to look into the possibilities of cooperation. Artificial substrates are becoming increasingly important in horticulture, but we know so little of their qualities and correct use. I am therefore very obliged to Prof. De Boodt, who agreed to be the chairman of our working group. I am convinced that this first meeting of experts will bring valuable contacts, new impulses, exchange of experiences and first steps to a good collaboration.

With this feeling I declare the symposium as opened and wish good results to all participants.

Prof. Dr. F. Penningsfeld