ISHS Acta Horticulturae 599: International Conference: Postharvest Unlimited
PREFACE |
| Authors: | B. Nicolaï, J. De Baerdemaeker, The ISHS Board of Directors |
| Abstract:
PREFACE One of the objectives within the Commission on Quality and Postharvest Horticulture of ISHS is to reach out to the scientific and technological colleagues throughout the world who are involved in this critically important branch of horticulture. Fruits and vegetables are essential components of our daily diet and yet far too many losses occur in the chain from the ‘paddock to the plate’. Postharvest specialists need to ensure that the full range of skills and expertise that we have at our collective disposal are used wisely and creatively for the benefits of our producers, our countries and perhaps more particularly for those developing countries less fortunate than ours. Famine and starvation are still major problems in too many countries; too many children die each day because they do not have access to necessary food and provisions. Over the years, postharvest technology has evolved towards a multidisciplinary field which involves various aspects such as genomics, biochemistry, physiology, engineering, and mathematical modelling. The communication between experts in these areas is complicated because of the difference in scientific background, research culture and scientific lingo. The aim of the conference Postharvest Unlimited was to build a bridge between the different disciplines and to provide a forum for open discussions on all subjects related to postharvest technology. The conference was attended by 170 delegates from 35 countries. In total 113 papers were presented during the conference, 37 as oral communications and 76 as posters, covering diverse topics such as: packaging, quality kinetics and modelling, measurement of quality attributes, alternative postharvest treatments, postharvest physiology, heat and mass transfer, storage of pome fruit and other commodities, and the ethylene blocking agent 1-MCP. Postharvest Unlimited was both a success from the professional as well as from the social point of view. We would like to thank all sponsors for their contribution, and our fantastic staff for a smooth organisation. Bart Nicolaï and Josse De Baerdemaeker Conveners FOREWORD This volume of Acta Horticulturae is the Proceedings of the International Conference Postharvest Unlimited. 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 Members of the Editorial Board 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 | |
