ISHS Acta Horticulturae 383: Mineral Nutrition of Deciduous Fruit Plants
PREFACE |
| Authors: | M. TAGLIAVINI, G.H. NEILSEN, P. MILLARD, O. Failla |
| Abstract:
This volume represents the Proceedings of the Second International Symposium on Diagnosis of the Nutritional Status of Deciduous Fruit Orchards, held in S. Michele a.A. (TN), Italy, 13–17 September, 1993, under the aegis of the I.S.H.S. Despite the very narrow and specific title that links the meeting with its previous edition held in Warzaw in 1989 (Acta Horticulturae 274) it was the intention of the organizers to broaden the scope of the Symposium to different aspects of mineral nutrition of both orchards and vineyards, including more detailed investigations of basic mechanisms of nutrient uptake and metabolic function. This feeling was also shared by the 124 delegates from 19 Countries that attended the meeting and it was agreed to entitle the next editions (in Spain in 1996 and in Canada in 1999) as well as the informal working group of the I.S.H.S.: Mineral Nutrition of Deciduous Fruit Plants. We firmly believe that the full success of the Symposium was due not only to the the quality of the contributions presented and to the extensive discussion, but also to the excellent organiziation by the Convener, Dr. O. Failla, and to the great hospitality of the host institution, the S. Michele a.A. Institute. Fruit tree production in the past has largely relied on mineral fertilizers for improving yields. In more recent years, often characterized by overproduction of many fruit crops, growers must also produce high quality fruits, often with high storage potential. Optimally controlled mineral nutrition may be an important tool, at present not completely utilized, for obtaining high quality yield while controlling tree size and vigour; thereby reducing costs associated with pruning and harvesting. Furthermore, environmental concerns are creating a great impetus to minimize pollution by modifying fertilization strategies to reduce the contamination of waters with mineral elements such as nitrate-N. In order to react to both production and environmental concerns, it is becoming even more important to identify the nutrient status of an orchard or vineyard and to apply fertilizers only when necessary, taking into account both crop demand and nutrient availability in the soil. New research developments suitable for such strategies and new developments in mineral nutrition of fruit crops, as presented in both oral and poster sessions, are summarized in these proceedings. The preparation of this volume included both internally reviewed contributions and refereed papers, arranged in two separate sections. The internal review process was generally accomplished by two reviewers, one of the three editors and one member of the scientific commitee. The refereed papers were accepted after revisions and recommendations of at least one scientistist experienced in the specific topic dealt with each paper, and by one of the three editors. We are indebted to the scientists who undertook the task of refereeing one or more papers and wish to acknowledge their useful contribution to the preparation of this volume (see List of Referees). As editors we also wish to thanks all the authors of the papers included herein for promptly accepting reviewers' suggestions to improve the quality of the texts. Finally, we wish to dedicate this volume to the memory of Prof.
Filippo Lalatta, President of the Scientific Commitee of the Symposium and strongly engaged with diagnosis of nutritional status of fruit trees during his scientific career in Milan. Professor Filippo Lalatta passed away on 5th April 1994. He was born in Piacenza in 1921. His academic career began in 1948 at the “Istituto di Coltivazioni Arboree” of the University of Milan. From 1958 until 1961 he taught Viticulture in the universities of Milan and Piacenza. In 1961 he assumed the Direction of the “Istituto Sperimentale per la Frutticoltura” in Rome. Under his direction the Institute, which belonged to the Ministry of Agriculture, was reorganized and enlarged, substations were opened, many new researchers were hired and more than 100 ha of experimental orchards were planted. In 1971 he returned to the University of Milan where he held the chair of “Coltivazioni Arboree” and directed the “Istituto di Coltivazioni Arboree” until 1992. His scientific interest ranged over almost all the branches of Horticulture including Pomology, Viticulture and Arboriculture. His fields of studies and researches involved many aspects of Fruit Growing and Viticulture Science and Technique including breeding and varieties, prunning, soil management, water relations and irrigation, environmental effects on fruit production, pests and diseases, fruit quality and storage, integrated fruit production, mineral nutrition and fertilization, as his 124 scientific publications attest. His scientific passion was the methods for the diagnosis of nutritional status of a tree by means leaf analysis. For this reason I insisted that he accepted the chairmanship of the Symposium in spite of the fact that he had planned to retire. After a first opposition he accepted and chaired the works of the Scientific Committee. It was for me a great reward that he came to San Michele all' Adige to open the Symposium in spite of some health problems. I believe that already I have learned much from him and that in the future, as I mature, I will learn more. | |
