ISHS Acta Horticulturae 614: VI International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climate: Product and Process Innovation
FOREWORD AND PREFACE |
| Authors: | the ISHS Board of Directors, G. Noto |
| Abstract:
FOREWORD This volume includes the papers presented at the International Symposium on “Product and process innovation for protected cultivation in mild winter climate” that was held in Scicli, Ragusa province, between 5 and 8 March, 2002. There were two days of presentations; a third day was devoted to a field trip. The symposium was opened by Prof. La Malfa on behalf of the conveners, the DOFATA (Dipartimento di OrtoFloroArboricoltura e Tecnologie Agroalimentari – Università di Catania) and all those entrusted with organising the Symposium. He welcomed the participants coming from 17 Countries, the academic Authorities and the Institution representatives. He acknowledged all the companies and associations and growers for the contribution made in various ways to the symposium. Furthermore, he drew attention to the importance of greenhouse crops in Sicily (namely 9000 ha, representing about 35% of the entire Italian protected cultivations) and particularly in the Ragusa Province which hosts more than 5000 ha of vegetable and flower crops under greenhouse. Then Prof. La Malfa greeted the organisers of the previous Symposium on Protected cultivations under mild winter climate held in Cartagena (Spain) during March 2000 (Dr. J.A. Fernandez and Dr. N. Castilla), the representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation FAO (Dr. W. Baudoin), the president of Società Orticola Italiana (Prof. E. Bellini), the chairman of the ISHS commission on Protected Cultivations (Prof. A. Abou-Haid), the chairman of the ISHS Working group on Protected cultivation under Mild Winter climate (Prof. Y. Tuzel), and the chairman of the Symposium Scientific Committee (Prof. F. Tognoni ). The salutation on the behalf of the city hosting the symposium was given by the Mayor, Dr.P. Falla, who highlighted the fascinating and attractive baroque monuments of Scicli. The welcome to the participants, at the opening of the afternoon session, was made also by Prof. Perrotta, Dean of the Agricultural Faculty of Catania University, by Prof. A. Abou-Hadid and Prof. Y. Tüzel on behalf of the ISHS. Was present also the Rector of Catania University, Prof. F. Latteri, who expressed the delight of Catania University for organising, thanks to the effort of DOFATA, the important Symposium devoted to a productive sector such as protected cultivation, important in Sicily and especially in the Ragusa province. He also wished that the symposium would represent an occasion to echange knowledge and experiences and to deep friendship between researchers coming from different countries. The symposium was attended by more than 170 people whom was also offered the possibility of participating in a one-day trip to some markets and farms. The visits were possible thanks to the availability of a number of growers and the hospitality of Vittoria City - where the protected cultivation under plastic cover began 50 years ago - whose mayor (F. Aiello) gave welcome to the participants. The scientific work of the symposium was concluded with the approval of the proposal of carrying out the next Symposium on Protected cultivation under mild winter climate in March 2004 in Florida, entrusting the organisation to Prof. D.J. Cantliffe. All the papers presented in different sessions according to the scheduled program were submitted to the scientific committee. This volume contains 127 original papers of lectures and posters presented at the symposium and concerning: - Protected cultivation diffusion; - Crops and production technologies; - Greenhouse characteristics and microclimate; - Greenhouse stressing conditions; Quality of greenhouse productions. The contributions were revised following the suggestions of the editorial board and other referees.
Prof.
G. Noto
PREFACE The ISHS Board of Directors | |
