PREFACE

ISHS Acta Horticulturae 562: III International Symposium on Sensors in Horticulture

PREFACE

Author:

ITZHAK Shmulevich

Abstract:
Two successful symposiums on the subject of sensors in horticulture were held in The Netherlands in 1991, and in Denmark, in 1995. The conveners, my two esteemed colleagues, Ing. Th. H. Gieling from the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering (IMAG-DLO) in Wageningen and Prof. B.S. Bennedsen, from the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Department of Agricultural Engineering, outdid themselves in organizing the events.
The growing interest in sensors, especially for horticultural use, prompted us to initiate a third symposium on the subject. Israel, as a country reaching for continuous agricultural development, is a natural location for such a symposium. We believe that the special allure of holding an international symposium in Israel is due to its fascinating historical and cultural background.
The third international symposium on sensors in horticulture took place between the 17^th and 21^st of August, 1997, in the Four Points Hotel, in the ancient town of Tiberias. The proceedings were opened by Ing. Gieling, Prof. Bennedsen and Prof. Galili, followed by a keynote address by Prof. De Baerdemaeker. 66 participants, from 18 countries took part in the symposium. 64 papers were presented, in 8 sessions and a poster session. Other activities included a guided visit to agricultural enterprises in the Upper and Lower Galilee and a tour of the Technion and the Department of Agricultural Engineering.
I would like to thank, first of all, the organizers of the first two symposiums, Ing. Gieling, and Prof. Bennedsen, for their sound advice, their support and encouragement.
I would like to thank the members of the local and international program committee for their help in carrying the symposium through. Special thanks are due to Ms. Martine Zeltzer, for coordinating this symposium. Without her, this project would have never come to be. Thank you for your talent and efficiency!
I would like to acknowledge the sponsors that contributed to the symposium. Also, I would like to thank ISHS, ARO, CIGR, and IAAE for sponsorship, my colleagues and staff of the Department of Agricultural Engineering. at the Technion for their support.

Itzhak Shmulevich (Shmilo)

This volume of Acta Horticulturae is the Proceedings of Third International Symposium on Sensors in Horticulture.
Invited and keynote speakers and selected 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 the Editors and amended according to the referee suggestions prior to acceptance.
The ISHS acknowledges the cooperation received from the Editors on reviewing the manuscripts which was a significant contribution to the overall quality of the publication.

The ISHS Board of Directors