FOREWORD

FOREWORD

The IXth International Symposium on Pear Growing (2-5 February 2004) was held at Spier Estate near Stellenbosch, South Africa (40 km east of Cape Town). The Symposium was hosted by the University of Stellenbosch and attracted 130 participants from 23 countries. During the course of the week current advances in pear breeding, reproductive biology, orchard management and improvement of fruit quality were presented in 49 oral papers and 43 posters.

The role of growth regulators in pear flowering and fruiting and the highly complex regulation of reproductive processes in deciduous fruit trees were discussed. The lack of suitably experienced researchers in this field worldwide is of concern. Invited overviews of the status of the pear industries in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australasia and Africa were presented. A viable industry and favourable market conditions are the foundations upon which research and development rest. Globally, pear production has stabilised or is in slight decline, with only a few production areas showing growth. However, novel or otherwise prized cultivars with above-average eating quality still yield good returns. The discussion on fruit quality focused on methods to enhance and predict fruit size, colour and storage quality. This was followed by a series of papers on reproductive biology, which highlighted the value of both conventional (pollination strategies) and advanced (molecular) scientific approaches to improving fruit set and yield.

Another section of the symposium was devoted to issues around breeding and evaluation, genetics and biotechnology, and postharvest quality and technology. Worldwide, the unsatisfactory progress on breeding of improved pear cultivars and rootstocks remains a real problem. New cultivars must meet the demand for excellent external fruit appearance, exceptional eating quality as well as disease resistance. Molecular approaches hold promise but will take many years to yield results. It was agreed that the current decline in consumer interest can be halted and reversed if new selections become available which meet modern consumer preferences. This includes sensory experience and health benefits, but not at the expense of attractiveness. Storage quality of pears and methods to extend shelf-life, such as the use of 1-MCC, were also discussed.

Planting and training systems and growth regulation depend on the vigour experienced on the available rootstocks, and approaches differ across different regions. The use of prohexadione-Ca, root pruning or girdling as vigour-controlling measures was discussed, particularly in light of the search for effective techniques which are environmentally sensitive. All except one of the presented papers on pest management focused on codling moth, the biggest problem worldwide. Progress is being made in the control of codling moth, especially as part of area wide integrated programs. Papers were also presented on disease management, specifically fireblight, pear scab and powdery mildew.

I am sincerely appreciative of fellow editors, organising committee, session chairs, keynote speakers, oral and poster presenters, sponsors and attending delegates.

Karen I. Theron, Convener