ISHS Acta Horticulturae 436: I International Persimmon Symposium
PREFACE |
| Author: | S. Subhadrabandhu |
| Abstract:
The first ISHS Symposium on Persimmon was held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on July 17–19, 1996. The local organizers of this ISHS Symposium were the Royal Project Foundation and the Horticultural Science Society of Thailand. The Symposium was officially opened by the Chairman of Research Committee, Royal Project Foundation, Dr. Santhad Rojanasoonthorn after the report by Chairman of the Organizing Committee Prof. Dr. Suranant Subhadrabandhu. Welcomed address was given by President of the Horticultural Science Society of Thailand, Mr. Somchai Sukontasing. Key note address was delivered by Prof. Dr. Akira Sugiura, Chairman of the Persimmon Working Group. 25 papers (4 of which were invited) and 20 posters were presented. The meeting was represented by 56 foreign participants from 9 countries representing almost every part of the world, ranging from Italy (Europe), Republic of South Africa (Africa), Australia and New Zealand (Oceania), South Korea, China and Japan (Far East Asia), Israel and Malaysia. Also about 30 Thai participants were attending this meeting. The Symposium started with papers dealing with persimmon industry and status of persimmon crop in various countries followed by discussion and suggestion on the problems confronting persimmon industry in those countries. The scientific papers consisted of various disciplines ranging from cultivar improvement, husbandry, tissue culture and genetic engineering, postharvest handling and processing. The optional field trip took place during the last day of the meeting. The field trip included a visit to the Royal Ang Khang Station about 140 km. north west of Chiang Mai City. This station was located near the border of Thailand and Myanmar with the elevation of 1400 meter so the climate is cool and suitable for growing low chilled temperate fruits including persimmon. The next visit was to Thanathorn Orchard, one of the biggest citrus orchards in Thailand having modernized grading machines and large packing house. The last stop was to visit the Horticultural Research Station in Fang district, about 170 km. from Chiang Mai City. This is a research station which has many crops ranging from fruit crops like lychee, macademia, longan to vegetables and flowering crops. Although the trip was rather far and participants had to stay few hours on the van, but they enjoyed an overnight at a resort near Kok River. The Symposium fulfilled its main duty to gather a group of experts and interested persons from various countries and discuss the problems of persimmon industry as well as gathering new information on persimmon production which was done in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Moreover, long-lasting links have been established to carry on to cooperate in the second Symposium on Persimmon which had been agreed to organize in New Zealand and Australia in the year 2000. | |
