ISHS Acta Horticulturae 469: International Symposium on Composting & Use of Composted Material in Horticulture
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS |
| Authors: | R.A.K Szmidt, P. Campbell |
| Abstract:
Of the sponsors listed elsewhere in this volume special thanks are due to South Ayrshire Council and to The Scottish Agricultural College (SAC). The event was also assisted by grant-in-aid from the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department which SAC receives. While many people have contributed, special thanks are due to Dr Gareth Williams and to Mrs Leslie Gechie ('compconf' to those participants corresponding by Email). Without these individuals the symposium could not have succeeded. Finally, the families of those involved in the organisation and during the meeting itself deserve heartfelt thanks. This symposium was held under the aegis of the ISHS Working Group: Composting of Waste Materials. Authors:Manuscripts submitted for this publication were manipulated electronically to develop a uniform printing style.
While in the electronic form, some minor modifications to manuscripts for improvement of English usage, spelling, grammar, and readability were made.
Where computer files carried 'program viruses' the paper copy was used for file reconstruction.
Such modifications were done to improve the mansuscripts and we apologise for any inadvertent errors, mistakes in meaning, or other problems because of these changes.
Thanks to all authors for their contributions and understanding. Until the early 1990s composting was seen principally as a means of reducing volume of waste. This was despite the fact that prior to the widespread use of peat for horticulture and the availability of chemical fertilisers, incorporation of organic matter was a significant aspect of soil management. The region of South West Scotland in which this symposium was held was largely unfarmed until the early 1700s when local landowners established programmes of manure use and, in some cases, crude stacking or composting of manure mixes with other material such as seaweed. The advent of peat for intensive horticulture and of chemical fertilisers meant that little research effort was put into composting for particular uses and a substantial body of empirical information handed-down through generations may now be lost. The one sector where this is not the case is in manufacture of compost for mushroom production. While engineering for waste management has progressed there is little understanding by such processors of the need by horticulturists for accurately specified growing-media. As political and environmental pressures to recycle a greater proportion of reject materials increases there will be an inevitable increase in the availability of recycled, composted material. As supply equals, or exceeds, demand only those materials which match defined product specifications will find a ready market. In turn, markets will only expand if it is demonstrated that composted material can be as good as or better than alternatives in terms of cost, performance and environmental impact. Robust scientific proof is a necessary prerequisite for this. This symposium is unique in that it brings together the interests of the waste management industry and the needs of horticulturists so that the former can make products to satisfy the latter. These papers show that all of this is possible. Furthermore, some composted materials have features, such as disease suppression or nutrient availability, which peat cannot match. Compost designers are no longer simply product-matching, and are beginning to understand how composted materials can be the best growing-media yet. The symposium will be long remembered not only for the quality of its science but also for the warmth of the welcome to SAC, Auchincruive and the town of Ayr and for the fun of the social events.
On behalf of the organising committee a very special thank you to all the participants who made it all worthwhile. As Provost of South Ayrshire Council I am delighted to host this reception in honour of the International Symposium on Composting and the use of Composted Materials for Horticulture. May I extend a warm welcome to all delegates and speakers. Also, may I pay special tribute to the members of the organising committee, including chairman, Dr Szmidt and secretary Dr Williams, who have worked extremely hard, planning and organising to ensure the successful staging of the event. When I was approached last year to consider giving a civic reception, I confess that I knew little about the specialised subject matter of your symposium. However, having done some research, I am now aware of just how important an issue composting is, and how vital it has become for producers and users to get together to establish a mutual understanding of each other's needs. I also understand that a new EEC Directive is being proposed for municipal organisations to recycle 20 per cent of their organic waste. South Ayrshire Council's appropriate officers will be looking into this. The high level of interest in taking part is an able demonstration of the importance of the symposium. And, may I say that it is also a tribute to the fine reputation of the Scottish Agricultural College at Auchincruive, which year after year remains firmly at the forefront of food, land and environmental studies. The interest is shown by the presence here of delegates from, I am told, 18 countries. We have participants from as near as Scotland, the UK and Europe - and as far as Australia, Canada and the United States. Truly an international event! Among our American visitors, I am reliably informed, are delegates from NASA at the Kennedy Space Centre…..with specialist knowledge, of composting which is, literally, out of this world! I am assured that composting in outer space is a serious matter! Ladies and gentlemen, you have a full scientific programme, and indeed a highly participative one, ahead, with talks, discussions and workshops. While you will have much to occupy your time - and your thoughts - I trust you will also find a little time to relax, and enjoy some of the many cultural, horticultural, historic and commercial places of interest to be found in South Ayrshire. I also trust that one of the traditions of a reception like this is followed this evening and that links of friendship and fellowship will be created which will be valued for years to come. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege and pleasure to have you join me at this reception. Whether this be your first visit to South Ayrshire - or a return trip - I would like to hope you will find the experience an enjoyable one.
May you have a successful and enjoyable symposium. | |
