ISHS Acta Horticulturae 468: III International Cherry Symposium
PREFACE |
| Authors: | J. Ystaas, O. Callesen |
| Abstract:
The Third International Cherry Symposium was held at Ullensvang (Norway) and Aarslev (Denmark) 23rd to 29th July 1997 and followed those held at Bonn University, Departement of Fruit and Vegetables, Germany (June 1968) and University for Horticulture and Food Industry, Budapest, Hungary (June 1993). There were four days of plenary lectures; 10 oral and 2 poster sessions were arranged. In addition visits were made to the research centres of Ullensvang and Aarslev and to cherry growers and packinghouses in both countries to demonstrate what cherry producion was like under Scandinavian growing conditions. A bus ride from Ullensvang to Aarslev exposed the participants to the characteristic Norwegian landsscape; fjords; mountains; forests; rivers and waterfalls in contrast to the flat and fertile landscape of Denmark. Totally 135 full participants and 25 accompanying persons representing 27 countries attended the symposium. 50 oral papers and 68 posters were presented in sessions held first at the Hotel Ullensvang in Lofthus, Norway (4 days) and later in the meeting at the Dalum Agricultural College in Odense, Denmark (2 days). At the Business Meeting of the Cherry Working Group, Dr. Lars Sekse of Ullensvang Research Centre was elected new Chair, Dr. Gregory Lang, Washington State University Research and Extention Center at Prosser, became Vice-Chair, and Dr. Ronald Perry of Michigan State University moved to Past-Chair. Dr. Perry was elected to head a subgroup that will develop appropriate terminology to describe cherry tree management systems. Strong interest was expressed in having the Fourth International Cherry Symposium in North America, since all previous ISHS meetings on cherries have been held in Europe. Specific invitations mentioned Traverse City, Michigan and Hood River, Oregon. The new leadership team will explore both options before choosing the site and conveners for the 2001 symposium. All manuscripts submitted for publication in Acta Horticulturae have been reviewed by the Editorial Board consisting of nine scientists from Norway, Denmark and USA. Symposium Co-Conveners Symposium Theme: “Progress in Production of High Quality Cherries through Research” As co-converners of this symposium and members of the Organizing Committee, we have had the generous support of Mekjell Meland, Lars Sekse and Jørgen Vittrup Christensen in planning and conducting the symposium. The five members of the Organizing Committee reinforced with the following scientists: Sigbjorn Vestrheim, Norway; Poul Hansen, Denmark; Jorgen Grauslund, Denmark and Gregory Lang, USA served on the Editorial Board and carefully reviewed and corrected each manuscript for inclusion in Acta Horticulturae 468 devoted to the symposium. They have all given freely of their time and energy to secure a high standard of the Acta Horticulturae. We would also like to acknowledge the advice and support of Dr. Norman Looney, ISHS Fruit Section Chairman, and Dr. Silviero Sansavini, ISHS President. The following organizations provided generous financial support: Det Kongelige Landbruksdepartment (Royal Ministry of Agriculture - Norway) Statens Landbruksbank (The Agricultural Bank - Norway) Hordaland Fylkeskommune (The County of Hordaland - Norway) Ullensvang Herad (The Municipality of Ullensvang - Norway) Norsk Hydro ASA The Norwegian Crop Research Institute Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences We gratefully acknowledge the strong and enthusiastic support of our technical staff in providing the necessary services to make the arrangement run smoothly. A special thank is due to the Symposium secretary Hilde-Marie Birkeland.
Her generous assistance in coordinating the symposium registration and accomodation; preparing the Symposium book of programme and abstracts and the final editing of the manuscripts of Acta Horticulturae is gratefully acknowledged. Cherry is a fruit whose very name is an invitation to try it, or better to taste it—one cherry leads to another. An invitation as much as good auspices for this is our third ISHS Cherry Symposium following the second one held at Budapest in 1993, although the proceedings were only published in the Acta last year. The success of the previous symposium will undoubtedly give way to an even greater one this time around, for the joint formula linking the organising efforts of such two fine countries as Norway and Denmark, both of which are deservedly esteemed for their active participation in the ISHS, provide us, as the saying goes, with a bowl of cherries. Cherry is the first red fruit of the season and, like the strawberry, it is highly charged with a symbolic value of nature's initiation rites. It winks alluringly at consumers, introducing them to the pleasures of summer's fruits while anticipating their flavours and their sensuousness. The cherry is also an eschatological exultation that symbolises, as in Japan's cherry blossom festival with its attendant religious significance, the beauty of creation and mankind's relation to the universe and to the wisdom of its creator on the one hand and the fleeting moment that life itself represents. These thoughts help to explain why the cherry today has so much importance-and not just in economic terms. It is also a prized ornamental plant that per se is capable of defining a given landscape, providing its wood in marginal agricultural areas or even of qualifying the small-fruit species found in mountain woodlands. Cherry is thus a very versatile plant. Yet its fruit, and the value as we have already mentioned which attaches to it, that stands out above all. It can potentially be found at markets not just for the 2–3 spring-summer months as in the past, but, thanks to the trade between the hemispheres, it is available to consumers for at least 6–8 months of the year, as though released from its seasonal confines. The out-of-season crop, for example the precocious April ripeners grown under protection in Japan or the July-August ones grown in northern Europe and in mountain areas, commands especially high grower costs and retail prices—perhaps the highest of any fruit, up to US $10–20 per kilo in Europe and even $40–50 in Asia, except for certain small woodland berries. It is not hard to understand why, even for cherry, research efforts are intensifying to develop modern cultivation and management techniques to bring costs and returns in line with other orchard produce like apple. Thanks to the broad potential geographic range of cherry—from the far north to the deep south—as well as to a marked genetic variability deriving from the sweet (central-southern) and sour (central-north) species, the many genotypes and today even many rootstocks, including the dwarfing ones, it is possible to grow a ‘tailor-made’ crop. Yet this is only possible with the help of science and applied research. Whence the growing number of institutes and researchers in the field of cherry—from geneticists to agronomists, from physiologists to pomologists and even to engineers. The reason for all this is that the management of cherry, like only a few other crops, can be integrally mechanised—pruning, picking and final destination, whether for fresh market or canning. This latter market is worthy of mention for the many cherry products it offers consumers—Kirsch, brandy, Marasca, cheeries under spirits and in chocolates are the most notable examples. Cherry is also a symbol of another kind. That it is the focus of studies to remedy certain infectious diseases and physiological disorders like splitting via genetics or advanced propagation and management techniques, makes it emblematic of a crop at the cutting-edge of technological advance. For many of us this symposium is a chance to discover for the first time the viability of cherry orchards and the progress of research that supports this crop in Denmark and Norway, not to mention the opportunity to learn, to broaden our horizons and to enjoy the beautiful sights and warm hospitality of these two countries. The ISHS would like to express its thanks and gratitude to the Fruit Section's Chairman, Dr. Norman Looney, who is an ardent supporter of the Cherry Working Group, which is also scheduled to elect a new chair; to the symposium's Organising and Scientific Committees and, in particular, to Dr J. Ystaas, Dr. O. Callesen and their co-workers for their passion, dedication and skilfulness and imagination (see the cherry stamp), talents that will certainly enable them to bring out the proceedings in published form as soon as possible. Let us hope that, along with the help of a qualified group of referees, the volume of proceedings will be a successful addition to the Acta Horticulturae for its solid scientific grounding and professional editing. Let me just add my warm personal thanks to our Danish and Norwegian friends and colleagues for the pleasure of being here, and I am confident that this symposium will turn out to be a milestone in the development of the cherry industry. I am very pleased, on behalf of the Fruit Section of the International Society of Horticultural Science, to welcome you to this Third International Cherry Symposium. It is gratifying to see such strong interest in this meeting. There can be no doubt that the two beautiful and unique fruit growing regions and countries that we will visit during this action-packed week were a powerful attraction. However, I also know that many, if not most, of the world's most active cherry research programs are represented here this week. I think it is fair to say that both scientists and science managers are coming to understand that commodity-focussed symposia are great places to share new information and to make important contacts. Many of you will have attended the previous ISHS symposium on cherries held in Budapest in 1993. That symposium, attended by more than 100 scientists and crop specialists from 22 countries, resulted in a volume of Acta Horticulturae (Volume 410) of more than 500 pages. The participation in this present symposium is greater still with at least 27 countries represented. Clearly, international interest in cherry research, especially that dealing with sweet cherries, continues to grow. This week we are presented with a unique opportunity to see sweet cherry and other deciduous tree fruit production practised at its most northerly extreme. Indeed, there are many lessons to be learned from the Norwegian collective experience in fruit growing but we must play close attention to what we see and hear. I suspect that many factors contribute to the success of this industry: the long days of the subarctic summer; a microclimate strongly influenced by the Gulf Stream and by the deep waters of beautiful fjords; a government and a community of capable producers dedicated to sustaining fruit production in Norway; the great genetic potential of deciduous fruit crop species to adjust and adapt to a short growing season and other climatic extremes; and certainly not least of all, a competent team of researchers and technologists who work at Ullensvang and other research centres to provide the knowledge and the new technologies absolutely essential to the success of this enterprise. Later in the week we will travel to Denmark where the emphasis of the symposium will shift to sour cherries, but where an equally impressive array of fruit crops will be observed growing on level land! The Research Centre Aarslev (formerly located at nearby Blangstedgaard) has a long history of pomological research on a wide range of fruit crops. This opportunity to visit well-known fruit research institutes in two Scandinavian countries is likely to be unique in the life of most of us here today. We must take full advantage! We must also give credit to all those who have made this symposium a reality. While the Fruit Section of the ISHS, the ISHS Secretariat, and the Working Group leaders all played a role in facilitating each international symposium, it is the symposium conveners and the editors of the ensuing Acta that do most of the work. Thus, we owe a deep debt of gratitude to the conveners of this present symposium, Dr. Jonas Ystaas and Dr. Ole Callesen. It is already clear that they have done many things right: the attendance is outstanding, the program promises to be very interesting, the venues are both interesting and appropriate, and the weather is beautiful! Moreover, let me use this opportunity to thank Dr. R.L. Perry of Michigan State University for his service to international horticulture as Chair of the Cherry Production Working Group since it was officially formed in 1993. Dr. Perry, together with scientists at Horticulture Research International (Dr. A.D. Webster), Cornell University (Dr. Robert L. Anderson) and the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre at Summerland, B.C. (Dr. Cheryl Hampson), made important contributions to seeing that the proceedings of the Budapest symposium (Acta Horticulturae 410) reached the publication stage in 1996. A special thank you to Dr. Hampson for facilitating the final editing. Later in this meeting you will have an opportunity to elect a new Chair and to entertain suggestions for location and leadership of a future symposium. I would urge each of you to give these matters careful consideration and to come to the Business Meeting with well-developed opinions and suggestions. My experience as Fruit Section Chair has convinced me that there is great international interest in symposia that bring together researchers and industry leaders to focus on a specific fruit crop. Other Fruit Section symposia in the past 12 months with a strong commodity orientation have dealt with hazelnut (Ordu, Turkey), Vaccinium species fruits (Maine, USA), pears (Talca, Chile), apricots (Veria, Greece) and peach (Bordeaux, France). All were highly successful and each will be held again in three or four years time in another part of the fruit growing world. Thus, there is every reason to believe that the Fourth International Cherry Symposium will attract great interest, wherever it is held. It is important that you choose Working Group leaders and symposium conveners capable of meeting this challenge. Finally, a few words about the International Society for Horticultural Science, the Society that provides the infrastructure for organizing these meetings and publishing the proceedings. The ISHS is the one horticultural science society with the specific aim of promoting international networking and cooperation to advance horticultural research on all continents. The membership list includes 40 countries, 160 organizations, and more than 2500 individual members. Scores of symposia and workshops, dealing with virtually every aspect of horticultural science, are facilitated each and every year. Through active participation in ISHS affairs and events (don't forget the XXV International Horticultural Congress, Brussels, August 2–7, 1998!) an individual member can soon feel that he or she has a truly international network of friends and colleagues. There is also ample opportunity to test and improve ones leadership skills. I urge each of you to initiate and maintain membership in the ISHS and thereby establish yourself as an «international figure» in horticultural science! We are in for a wonderful week of making and renewing acquaintances, sharing valuable information, and enjoying the beauty of Scandinavia and the generosity of our Norwegian and Danish hosts.
Welcome to Ullensvang and the Third International Cherry Symposium! It is with great pleasure I, on behalf of the Norwegian Government, welcome you all to Hardanger and Ullensvang, the «cherry capital» of Norway. Ullensvang has through the years developed to become a very important centre for fruit-growing and -research in Norway. The history books tells that sour cherries have been cultivated in this area since the 13th century, and that sweet cherries were introduced by the local priest about 1750. Today, approximately one third of the area used for fruit production in Norway is placed in this municipality. The development of fruit production in Hardanger has increased radically during the last hundred and thirty years. This is mainly due to the introduction of steamboats about 1860, which increased the possibilities to transport the products to Bergen, Stavanger, Oslo and other populated areas. Today the products are transported by trucks, and the south-eastern part of the country is the main market. A small part of the production is exported, mainly to Great Britain. The nature in Hardanger is, as you all probably have seen, rather wild and dramatic with high mountains surrounding the fjord. This, combined with strong traditions associated with farm ownership in Norway has resulted in small farm units. The average farm size here in Ullensvang is 3 hectares cultivated land, and most of the farmland is very hilly. This has led to the development of special techniques and equipment for the production of fruit. The total cherry production in Norway reaches a quantity of four to five hundred tonnes per year, of which approximately 80% is produced here in Hardanger. The Norwegian fruit production is of a high quality, and the use of chemical treatment is moderate. Most of the production is competitive both on a national and international basis. The consumers are, these days, very concerned about the quality of the food they eat. For this reason, it is very important that we are able to improve the high standard of the products, which may, in turn, maintain and increase the consumers confidence in the fruit industry. The Norwegian Crop Research Institute - Planteforsk - has been given a national responsibility for research and development of plant production in Norway. Their activity has been divided into eight working areas, and fruit and berries is one of these. Planteforsk is through their activity supposed to fortify Norwegian plant production, enhance its competitiveness and secure the quality of the production and the products. The research is based on political priorities laid down by the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture. Ullensvang Research Centre has been delegated the responsibility for research and development in fruit and berries. The working area includes many species both in fruit and berries, and among these, sweet cherries have been given a high priority with regard to research. To enhance the competitiveness of the Norwegian produced cherries, it is important to develop efficient systems of cultivation, taking into account both production costs and quality aspects. It is also important to develop better techniques for harvesting, storage and handling. This to ensure the consumers products of first class quality. Norwegian sweet cherries are very competitive both on the national and on the international markets. Norway may each year export 600 tonnes of sweet cherries duty-free to the EU. In 1996 the quantities exported were about 54 tonnes, which represents 9% of the quota. However, because the sweet cherries ripen later in Norway than in southern parts of Europe, there is a potential for increased export. There are now several projects running to expand the production of sweet cherries in Norway. It is possible for the farmers to get investment support for planting new fields and for covering fields with rain guards. During the last two years there has been a 25% increase of land used for sweet cherry production. Ullensvang Research Centre has through the years developed long traditions for cooperating with various research institutions abroad. There is no cherry breeding in Norway, but several foreign varieties from institutions abroad are each year tested to clarify the possibilities for further growing. Knowledge and experience are also exchanged through travel studies and other communication, and this gives important inspiration for further work. It is my wish that this symposium in Ullensvang, and later at Aarslev, will contribute to strengthen the international collaboration in cherry breeding and production. By international co-operation new knowledge may be developed and spread in an effective manner. I am sure that increased research co-operation is necessary for the production of cherries in a society where new demands for quality and efficiency are set almost every day. I wish you every luck with the arrangement, and hope you all will enjoy your stay here in Norway. | |
