PREFACE

Invited and keynote speakers and authors of offered oral papers and posters had the opportunity to submit their manuscripts for publication in this volume of the series Acta Horticulturae.

Submitted manuscripts were reviewed by at least two members of the Editorial Board and amended according to the referee suggestions prior to acceptance.

The Editorial Board could not accept all manuscripts submitted for publication.

The ISHS acknowledges the cooperation received from the Editor and Editorial Board on reviewing the manuscripts which was a significant contribution to the overall quality of the publication.


The ISHS Board of Directors


FOREWORD

This 19^th symposium of the section 'Ornamentals' has been held in Angers (27–30 July 1998) under the aegis of EUCARPIA, the European Association for Research on Plant Breeding.

It has been organised both by INRA Research Center of Angers and by the 'Institut National d'Horticulture (INH)', the only French establishment in charge with high education in horticulture.

132 participants from 21 countries attended this symposium devoted to the improvement of ornamental plants.

Five sessions had been organised:

• Floral development, pigmentation and fragrance
• In-vitro techniques for breeding (micropropagation excluded)
• Use of molecular markers and cytogenetics
• Plant habit, resistance and quality
• genetic resources and diversification

27 oral communications and 41 posters have been proposed to participants together with a round table dealing with the use of genetic transformation in ornamentals.

Several visits were also proposed including the INRA breeding research unit and growers or private breeders in the vicinity of Angers.