ISHS Acta Horticulturae 595: International Symposium on Apple Breeding for Scab Resistance
PREFACE |
| Author: | A. Bergamini |
| Abstract:
PREFACE This volume of Acta Horticulturae is the Proceedings of the International Symposium on Apple Breeding for Scab Resistance. 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 Editor and Members of the Editorial Board and amended according to the referee suggestions prior to acceptance. The ISHS acknowledges the cooperation received from the Editor on reviewing the manuscripts which was a significant contribution to the overall quality of the publication. The ISHS Board of Directors Convener FOREWORD AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS When I was asked to organise the Symposium on breeding for apple scab and other diseases, I was very doubtful because of my conviction that the present knowledge needed much more deepness before coming to the point to obtain certain results in a relatively short time. Only after the kind support of some friends, particularly Prof. Sansavini and Prof. Fideghelli, I accepted the proposal. Scientists met in a beautiful resort in Levico, a lake area very close to the Dolomites in Trento, in September, a favourable month to visit the most characteristic places of apple production in Trentino and a good opportunity for enjoying the beautiful nature of the surroundings. During the third day the participants of the Symposium had the chance to visit the apple fields of Val di Non in the harvesting season, and were impressed by the high density of the plantings in such a narrow valley. The group was not very numerous, but significant and representative of the research on apple scab in the world, investigating topics like genetics, breeding, pathology, scab management and crop production programs. The Symposium had more the aspect of a workshop, since the communication and common discussion was very fluid and constructive during the three days: not all the problems have been focussed but we had the chance to compare different strategies and different approaches to problem. In the end, I can say that many of my wishes have been accomplished and the Symposium was the opportunity to highlight a different approach to apple scab concerning both the sources of resistance to the disease and the different control methods for apple scab by the use of resistant cultivars (although it would be perhaps more appropriate to call them tolerant). The strategy must be continuously renewed according to the new scientific discoveries on one hand, and to the knowledge of the natural development of new races of the pathogen to harmful forms, like the imperfect one for fungi, on the other hand. It is a battle against the time, that we can win only through a precise and strong change: probably the best way will be a double approach that will involve breeding for highly tolerant plants, pyramiding a wide pool of genes that could insure protection to the pathogen, and the use of products able to prevent the sprouting of spores in order to decrease their outgrowth. My special thanks to the ISHS for trusting in our organisation, to the Provincia Autonoma di Trento, sponsor of the event, to Roberto Eccher and Lara Giongo for their constant work and contribution to the preparation and the organisation of the event. Thanks to all the participants for their important contribution to the knowledge on apple scab. A grateful thank to Prof. J. Janick A. White A. Zeppa members of the Editorial Board, who patiently and with great competence reviewed all the manuscripts. Prof. Antonio Bergamini | |
