ISHS Acta Horticulturae 574: VII International Symposium on Vaccinium Culture
PREFACE |
| Author: | R. Hepp |
| Abstract:
FOREWORD AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS VII International Symposium on Vaccinium Culture in Chile Scientists and people from the industry met in beautiful hotspring and ski-resort Termas de Chillán, located in the Andean mountains at 1800 m above sea level, 80 km east of the city of Chillán, Chile from 4 to 9 December 2000 for the ' VII International Symposium on Vaccinium Culture '. Attendants were hosted by Dr. Ruperto Hepp, Professor of the Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Concepción, Convener of the Symposium. In total, 106 participants and 22 accompanying persons representing 18 countries from all over the world gathered in this peaceful corner of the southern hemisphere for an exchange of scientific and personal achievements. 76 papers were presented during the symposium, 43 as oral communications and 33 as posters, covering diverse topics such as: pollination, disease management, breeding, genetics, plant development and performance, cultural practices, soil amendments, plant and soil nutrition, mycorrhizae, plant propagation and harvesting. The symposium was opened with welcoming words to the attendants from Dr. Marisol Berti, Vice Dean of the Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Concepción, followed by remarks on behalf of the ISHS by former ISHS Vaccinium Chairman, Dr. Elden Stang. Three invited speakers presented an update on the following topics: - Mycorrhizae in Vaccinium, emphasis on blueberry, by Dr. John Smagula (University of Maine), - Postharvest fruit research in Vaccinium, by Dr. Mark Ehlenfeldt (USDA-ARS), - Health aspects of blueberries, by Dr. Charles Mainland (North Carolina State University). During the second day of the symposium, the participants had the chance to visit two blueberry fields in the vicinity of Chillán. In one field located in the andean foothills, they could see rabbiteye and highbush blueberries growing next to harvest in a typical soil derived from volcanic ashes, while in the second field, highbush and southern highbush varieties planted in a granitic heavy soil were at the peak of harvest. Participants were impressed with the growth and production of the blueberry plants, because these soils have a high pH which is not quite suitable for growing blueberries. Local food, wine and cheese were offered to the participants by the growers in both visits, thus showing the typical hospitality of the chilean grower. A short business meeting of the working group was held before the conclusion of the symposium. Dr. Elden Stang paid generous tribute to the organizers and acknowledged the support given to him as Chairman of the Vaccinium Group during the last four year. Dr. Bernadine Strik from Oregon State University was elected new ISHS Vaccinium Chairperson. It was decided that the next Vaccinium Symposium will take place in Portugal and Spain in the year 2004. After the meeting, everybody enjoyed a typical chilean barbecue, accompanied by life chilean folk music. After the symposium, 85 people participated in the post-conference tour to the south of Chile, visiting blueberry and cranberry plantings. In this tour, participants were also able to see the beautiful landscape of this part of the country, characterized by a number of lakes, rivers , volcanoes and a green vegetation. The tour gave participants a clear overview of the blueberry and cranberry industry in Chile, and promoted a real friendship among the scientists. In summary, it was a memorable Symposium, from the professional point of view and as a social event. My special thanks to the ISHS for trusting in our organizing committee, to Dr. Elden Stang for his constant support, to ANASAC, CONICYT, Cranberries Austral de Chile, CranChile, Driscoll's, Exportadora Agroberries, Hortifrut, SunnyRidge Farm Inc. and Vital Berry Marketing for their sponsorship, to the growers for their time and patience, and to my colleagues and students who did a wonderful job.
Dr.
Ruperto Hepp
PREFACE The ISHS Board of Directors | |
