FOREWORD AND PREFACE

FOREWORD

The 5th International Conference on Artichokes was held in Tudela (Navarra, Spain) from 5 to 8 May 2003. The Conference was organised by the Navarra Government, the Technical Institute of Agricultural Management (ITGA), the Navarra Institute of Food Quality (ICAN), the Alcachofa de Tudela Protected Geographical Indication and the Tudela Local Council, under the auspices of the ISHS (International Society for Horticultural Science).

In total, the event was attended by 139 delegates from 14 different countries and from a wide range of different professional fields, including universities, agricultural research institutions, co-operatives, the production sector and various local industries. Spain and Italy, countries with the highest percentage of artichoke production, were represented best.

The technical sessions included 31 oral and 62 poster presentations in the following sessions:

• Session 1: Vegetal material
• Session 2: Growth regulators
• Session 3: Cardoon
• Session 4: Crop management
• Session 5-6: Pest management
• Session 7: Post-harvest/Quality/Other papers

The success of this event is reflected in the content and quality of this publication. The efforts of the organisers are widely acknowledged as well as the dedication of the collaborators, the members of the scientific committee, the invited speakers of the sessions, the scientists for the clear and learned discussions on the papers.

Dr. Javier Sanz Villar, Convener - Editor

PREFACE

The papers contained in this volume of Acta Horticulturae report the Proceedings of the Fifth International Congress on Artichoke. Keynote speakers and authors of selected contributed oral and poster presentations were given the opportunity to submit a manuscript for publication.

These manuscripts were reviewed by the Symposium Editor and members of the Editorial Board. Only those papers judged suitable for publication following the authors consideration of reviewer suggestions appear in this volume of Acta Horticulturae.

The ISHS acknowledges and appreciates the contribution of all editors and reviewers. They have made a significant contribution to improving the quality of this publication.

The ISHS Board of Directors