ISHS Acta Horticulturae 662: VII International Symposium on Temperate Zone Fruits in the Tropics and Subtropics
WELCOME ADDRESS, PREFACE, KEYNOTE ADDRESS, ABOUT THE SYMPOSIUM |
| Authors: | S.S. Negi, V.S. Kokje, K.K. Jindal |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.662.0 |
| Abstract:
WELCOME ADDRESS Honorable Mr. V.S. Kokje, His Excellency the Governor of Himachal Pradesh and the Chief Guest of this inaugural function, Prof. Ayzin B. Küden, Chairperson, International Society for Horticultural Science Working Group on Temperate Zone Fruits in the Tropics and Subtropics, Dr. J.V. Possingham, representative of ISHS, Dr. K.K. Jindal, Organizing Secretary of the Symposium, Dr. D.R. Thakur, Former Pro-Vice- Chancellor, Dr. R.P. Sharma, Director of Horticulture, Himachal Pradesh, Shri Vinod Singhal, Director of Horticulture, Uttaranchal, Shri R.K. Pant, Technical Coordinator, Diversified Agricultural Support Project, Uttaranchal, distinguished guests, galaxy of scientists from India and abroad, students, fruit growers, members of media, ladies and gentlemen.It is my proud privilege to extend heartiest welcome to you all to this inaugural function of the 7th International Symposium on “Temperate Zone Fruits in the Tropics and Subtropics”. We feel extremely honoured by the presence of His Excellency the Governor of Himachal Pradesh Shri V.S. Kokje on this occasion as Chief Guest. It is a matter of great pleasure for all of us that he could find time to be with us inspite of his pre-occupations. This shows his interest in academic and scientific pursuits. His presence here this morning is a source of inspiration for us and a great moral booster to the entire scientific community. I extend a very warm welcome to Mr. V.S. Kokje, His Excellency the Governor of Himachal Pradesh on this occasion. I take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to Prof. Ayzin B. Küden, Chairperson, International Society for Horticultural Science Working Group on Temperate Zone Fruits in the Tropics and Subtropics. The symposium is being organized under the auspices of ISHS and Prof. Küden has been extending cooperation and guidelines regarding the organization of this symposium I also take this opportunity to welcome Dr. J.V. Possingham, the ISHS representative and other foreign delegates such as Dr. Peter Allen from South Africa, Dr. Gabtiel B. Leite from France, Dr. Amanollah Javanshah from Iran, Dr. Krisana Krisanapook from Thailand and Dr. G.A. Finetto from Italy who have come from different countries to participate in the symposium. I also welcome the Indian delegates who have come from different parts of the country for participating in this symposium. I understand that more than 275 research papers shall be presented during the five day symposium and hope that the deliberations will result in fruitful recommendations. I also take this occasion to extend a warm welcome to the distinguished guests, dignitaries, media personnel, students and all others for their gracious presence on this occasion. This International Symposium is the 7th Symposium on the theme of Temperate Fruits in the Tropics and Subtropics and is being organized under the auspices of the Working Group on Temperate Zone Fruits in the Tropics and Subtropics of the International Society for Horticultural Science. The Working Group on TZFTS was formed during 1982 at the 21st International Horticultural Congress held at Hamburg, Germany with the objective of popularizing such temperate fruits which could be grown under the warm climate of the tropical and subtropical conditions. Since then, the cultivation of temperate fruits in the tropics and subtropics has become well established in several countries. In India, the cultivation of temperate fruits in tropics and subtropics is not well established though some local low-chill varieties of stone fruits like peach and plum were grown in several subtropical regions since long. The introduction of a number of low-chilling hybrids of peach and plum from Florida, USA, during 1970s at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana gave a big boost to the prospects of growing temperate zone fruits in the subtropical regions of the country. This initial success has resulted in the initiation of systematic research programmes in the State Agricultural Universities in the identification and development of low chilling varieties and their agro-techniques. As a result, a large number of low chilling varieties of pear, peach and plum are grown successfully in the subtropical areas of Himachal Pradesh Punjab, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan. Some work has also been done by the scientists of our university on the cultivation of low chilling cultivars of pome and stone fruits in the mid hill, low hill and valley areas of Himachal Pradesh. However, there is an urgent need not only to identify low chilling varieties but also to work out the agro-techniques for different fruits for cultivation under warm climate. I hope, the delegates of the symposium will benefit from the exchange of information during these five days. With these words, I welcome once again. His Excellency the Governor of Himachal Pradesh and the Chief Guest of the day and all of you to this inaugural function. Thank you S.S. Neg Vice-Chancellor PREFACE The papers contained in this volume of Acta Horticulturae report the Proceedings of the Seventh International Symposium on Temperate Zone Fruits in the Tropics and Subtropics. 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 Editors. 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 the editors. They have made a significant contribution to improving the quality of this publication. The ISHS Board of Directors KEYNOTE ADDRESS Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, In India as in other parts of the world, cultivation of temperate fruit in warmer climates has resulted in commercial problems. This has necessitated the development of new cultivars and rootstocks that are better adapted to such climates. Adaptation of cultivars and rootstocks is now becoming a major concern as soil related constraints are appearing in new locations. Now technologies need to be developed for overcoming dormancy problems and excessive top and root temperatures. Solution to these problems will lead to establishment of commercial temperate fruit tree orchards in many subtropical and tropical conditions. The term warm climate encompasses a large range of types of climates, from the humid and hot tropics to the arid subtropics. In India, temperate fruits are cultivated in more than ten states but the quality production is in the hill states of the Himalayan region only. This region comprises more than one-eighth of the total land area which makes up the entire northern boundary running from Jammu and Kashmir in the West to Arunachal Pradesh in the east. Though these areas are sparsely populated, yet are main centers of temperate fruit production, in which apple is the leading fruit crop occupying nearly 85 per cent of the total area under temperate fruits. Himachal Pradesh occupies its prestigious position in growing quality fruits. The subtropical regions in India lie between latitude 15° and 30° north of equator covering north Indian plains, the Gangetic basins, large parts of eastern states, eastern and western ghats, Nilgiri region etc. In this zone spring is generally frost free and chilling availability ranges from 50-500 hours. This region is thus not considered suitable for temperate fruits but grows several low chilling varieties of peach, plum, apricot, almond, pear and nuts. The area and production of stone fruits in this region is estimated to be much higher than in the temperate zone in India. These areas being closer to the markets, offer better production potentials than those in higher hills. Some varieties when grown in subtropical areas also ripen earlier. However, the quality is low and susceptible to insect-pests and diseases. There is a need to develop varieties and rootstocks suitable for these warmer areas. Himachal Pradesh has been bestowed with varied agro-climatic conditions which are congenial for the cultivation of temperate and subtropical fruits. It has emerged as a kind of model state for fruit cultivation which the other hill states want to follow. One of the major achievements of this state has been the transformation of our subsistence level farming to high value commercial crops. Horticultural crops along with forest farming occupy about 70 per cent of geographical area of the state and both these sectors account for 18 per cent Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). Among horticultural crops, fruits are the backbone of the economy of hill people and are cultivated on 218 thousand hectares. Fruit cultivation generates an estimated turn over of about Rs. 8000 millions. Temperate fruit crops form the major group of fruits under cultivation in the state and nearly 45 per cent area is exclusively under apple cultivation. Himachal Pradesh has been approved as Agri-Export Zone for apple due to its quality produce. In recent past, horticulture in the hill states was not affected by international market forces. However, with the introduction of WTO provisions, need has arisen, for our temperate fruits and their products to be competitive both in domestic and export markets. Factors like increasing cost of production, fluctuating weather conditions, shrinkage of land resources, lack of skilled labour and global competition pose challenges to orcharding to remain profitable. These situations necessitate the development of technologies for economically viable cultivation of temperate fruits, not only in temperate region but also their cultivation in tropical and subtropical areas. I am very happy to be here with you in the inaugural session of 7th International Symposium on Temperate Zone Fruits in Tropics and Subtropics, being organized by Dr. Y.S. Parmar, University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan in collaboration with the International Society of Horticultural Sciences. I am taking this opportunity to express my views on those modern technologies which can bring quantum improvement in production, quality and value addition of temperate fruit crops in tropical and subtropical regions. Dear friends, in India we are also in the tropical part of the world, where we grow temperate fruits in mountainous areas which are cold enough in winter for temperate fruit production. Due to their conditions we find a number of production problems in these fruits. But if we see the global scenario, it is surprising to note that the tropical countries like Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Zimbabwe which even lack moderate winter chilling grow sufficient apples and other stone fruits. Some of these countries grow even two apple crops in a year in April and October. The cultivation of temperate fruits in these countries was taken up after imposition of trade restrictions in post world war period. These countries are using defoliation and special sprays of chemicals for bud breaking in apple. We, in India, are also growing sizeable low chilling varieties of fruits like peach, plum and pear in our subtropical plains which have been recommended by Punjab Agricultural University. By looking to the world production of temperate fruits in tropical and subtropical climate, I suggest you to put in more research inputs on this aspect and to adopt the techniques developed by them in promoting our temperate fruit culture under changing climate. Plant genetic resources are the backbone of crop improvement and I know that a lot of work has already been done in this direction by the University of Horticulture and Forestry and State Department of Horticulture. As a result of these collaborative efforts, many fruitful recommendations have emerged. For instance in apple, latest varieties like Red Chief, Oregon spur, Well spur, Vance, Top Red, Scarlet Gala and many new pollinising varieties have been released after thorough testing. It seems that, at present, we are more dependent on imported plant material, whereas we also have sufficient wild wealth of these fruits which need to be properly studied for their characterization so that our own need based rootstocks and varieties are developed. However, we need large number of planting material of these varieties to meet our domestic needs and also to export plant material to our neighboring states like Uttaranchal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, etc. Emphasis must be given to biotechnology in quality production of desired plant material on mass scale. The most popular and widely commercialized global application of biotechnology is in mass propagation of superior plant material. Each year we are spending a lot on import of rootstocks and other planting material. This is high time to our biotechnologists to work on these aspects. The yields of major fruits have touched a plateau inspite of the use of large quantities of agro-chemicals which have only resulted in destroying already fragile agro-ecological systems. The challenge now before us is to grow quality fruits matching international standards on the continuously shrinking land area. The solution lies in developing and adopting newer technologies and to boost productivity in an eco-friendly manner. Though genetic engineering, for fruit trees is as yet at an incipient stage, yet it holds great promise for increasing yields and disease resistance. Presently, 12 countries of American, European and Asian continents have over 40 million hectares of area under transgenic crop plants in various stages of testing. Let us think in this direction to gain considerably by developing new varieties through genetic engineering particularly to increase productivity with improved disease and pest resistance as well as to prolong shelf life of the produce. Due to the present scenario of changing climate due to overall global warming, the production of temperate fruits is particularly affected since these have specific climatic requirements for proper chilling, flowering and fruit set. Under these situations research efforts need to be intensified to enhance their productivity and to develop technologies for solving the production problems under adverse growing conditions like inadequate winter chilling and occurrence of spring frosts. I hope the scientists during this symposium will discuss the practical aspects of growing temperate fruits in tropics and subtropics in depth. Introduction of high density planting is one of the important technological breakthroughs to achieve high productivity per unit area, especially when our land resources are shrinking. The efforts made by this university in this regard need special appreciation. The experiments with high density plantations in apple have shown that production level of 103 tonnes per hectare in Vance Delicious variety of apple can be achieved against a national average of 5-6 tonnes per hectare. The success from high density planting techniques is solely determined by a wide range of technical considerations like mass scale development of healthy dwarfing rootstocks, development of dwarf varieties in almost all the temperate fruits and to work out their orchard management technologies effectively. High density plantation technology should be taken up to farmer’s field on priority. Water is a critical input and is usually a limiting factor for fruit growing. The exact water requirement needs to be worked out for different fruits. The ‘on farm’ water conservation and irrigation techniques need to be standardized. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” phrase now no more holds good due to our more excessive chemical requirements for crop production. Health consciousness about food and food products and their consumption is dramatically changing in favour of organic foods. Organic farms can be major option because of the increasing accumulation of chemical residues in soil, water and plants. As a consequence of this, continued and injudicious use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides can result in severe human and animal health problems. Nitrate toxicity to milking animals and copper toxicity to fish culture are causing serious concern to all of us. Though organically managed farms produce low yields in initial years yet health conscious consumers are prepared for higher price and hence the overall profit gets compensated. The increase in insect-pests and disease problems, like scab, mite, premature leaf fall in apple, has necessitated excessive use of pesticides and fungicides. This is creating lot of environmental penalties resulting in health hazards. One of the main problems in our hill horticulture is the inadequacy in post harvest management of fruits and their processing for value addition. More than 30 per cent of our temperate fruit is wasted due to lack of post harvest management infrastructure. This year we are expecting record apple production but we are facing problems of packaging material and other handling constraints. More than 50 per cent of these post harvest losses can be reduced by developing proper post harvest management practices. In the present trade scenario of domestic as well as international markets, competition is the rule of success. I therefore suggest that through combined efforts of Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Horticulture Product Marketing corporation (HPMC) and private fruit processing entrepreneurs, the value added specific post-harvest and processing technologies should be developed. There is also urgent need to develop suitable yield forecasting model so that we could plan for our marketing system well in advance. I am confident that this exercise will not only generate additional self employment opportunities for our agriculture/horticulture graduates but will also prove to be a mile stone for the development of fruit processing industry in the state. Unfortunately the development of temperate fruit industry in the entire hill states has witnessed expansion of acreage under a specific crop, more so under a specific variety. For instance Himachal is known as Apple state of India that too for Delicious apples, which is much affected by climatic changes. Some efforts being taken up by this university in terms of introduction and popularization of new fruit crops like kiwi fruit, walnut, pear, hazelnuts, pistachio, pecan, nectarines, etc. are worth praising. I am happy that the University of Horticulture and Forestry has established bud wood banks for four important nut crops, namely, walnut, pecan, pistachio and hazelnuts in various agro-climatic zones of the state by introducing material from USA and France. Efforts are being made to select low chilling genotypes in this material for their probable cultivation in some tropical and subtropical regions. Another important area which needs attention is that inspite of the farmer’s hard labour, his returns are low. This is a major setback to our temperate fruit growers. There are sizeable differences between the prices secured at the farm gate and at which a consumer buys it. Therefore there is urgent need to educate the farmers about agri-business and to deviate from the traditional route to explore more domestic and international markets. Thus the gaps between the achievable production and quality potentials and the present fluctuating productivity have to be bridged through your research efforts. Such a trend in increasing temperate fruit production in the country as a whole will have to be maintained efficiently by managing the constraints of shrinking natural resources, declining per capita holdings, emerging biotic and abiotic stresses, uncertain weather conditions and tight IPR regime. Today on the auspicious occasion of the inauguration of 7th International Symposium on Temperate Zone Fruits in Tropics and Subtropics, I extend my heartiest welcome to all the participating scientists from India and abroad. I trust your deliberations during these 4-5 days will result in specific recommendations for the economically viable cultivation of temperate fruits in the tropics and subtropics. Thank you V.S. Kokje Governor of Himachal Pradesh ABOUT THE SYMPOSIUM Honourable Mr. V.S. Kokje, His Excellency the Governor of Himachal Pradesh and the Chief Guest of this inaugural function, Dr. S.S. Negi, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ayzin B. Küden, Chairperson, International Society for Horticultural Science Working Group on Temperate Zone Fruits in the Tropics and Subtropics, Dr. J.V. Possingham, representative of ISHS, distinguished participants, ladies and gentlemen. At the 21st International Horticultural Congress in Hamburg in 1982 participants discussed the possibility of growing temperate fruits in the tropics and subtropics which resulted in the establishment of a working group on Temperate Zone Fruits in the Tropics and Subtropics in 1983 to encourage the exchange of information and germplasm. The most important reasons for our interest in temperate fruits in tropics and subtropics is to improve the socio-economy and dietary values of rural poor people and soil conservation in developing countries. Increasing productivity to feed the ever-growing population and conserving the natural resources in India have always been a matter of concern for the scientists. However, in the lower Himalayas the temperate fruit production is in dilemma. Yield in major temperate fruits in such areas is approaching a plateau or declining. Several factors have been attributed to this declining trend in productivity like expansion of cultivation to marginal areas, monoculture of old varieties, declining standards of orchard management and the changing climate scenario. Fluctuations in productivity have of late become matter of serious concern all over the world. Global climatic changing factors further complicate this demanding challenge. Keeping in view the great potential of temperate fruits in tropics and subtropics in the country Indian Council of Agricultural Research in collaboration with International Society for Horticultural Science took up the assignment of organizing the Seventh International Symposium on Temperate Zone Fruits in the Tropics and Subtropics from October 14-18, 2003 in Asia at Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan with the initiative of Dr. S.P. Ghosh, Former Deputy Director General (Horticulture), Indian Council of Agricultural Research and International Society for Horticultural Science - Temperate Zone Fruits in the Tropics and Subtropics Working Group. Warm greetings and felicitations to the participants and delegates from India and abroad were received in the form of messages from national and international luminaries for the successful deliberations in the symposium. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, His Excellency the President of India in his message hoped that “the symposium will give an opportunity to the scientists, students, policy makers and stake holders to interact and discuss various issues related to production with scientists of international repute”. Mr. Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh the host state of the symposium in his message remarked “Himachal Pradesh has earned its name as a quality fruit growing state and the symposium would go a long way in achieving the distinction of Fruit Bowl of India”. Mr. Sudarshan Agarwal, His Excellency the Governor of Uttaranchal in his message remarked that “the changing climate scenario is the major factor for low productivity. For instance all India average yield of apple has been estimated at about 6 tonnes per hectare which is far below the level of about 30 tonnes per hectare in many western countries. This has caused a serious concern not only to fruit growers but also to researchers, development agencies and the planners engaged in temperate fruit production. Mr. N.D. Tewari, Chief Minister of Uttaranchal state in his message appreciated the topic of the symposium, which is of utmost importance to developing countries like India to harness the benefit of varied climate. Dr. Norman E. Looney, President ISHS, Summerland, British Columbia, Canada, in his message to participants remarked that horticulture is an essential life science and the scientists of TZFTS working group have contributed importantly to strengthening the economy of many countries and to improve the health and prosperity of individual citizens. Dr. M.S. Swaminathan an eminent International Agricultural Scientists in his message hoped “that this International Symposium will provide road-map for achieving growth rate of 8 per cent in horticulture”. Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Dr. Mangla Rai in his message desired adequate attention on all the important issues related to the cultivation of temperate fruits under the tropical and subtropical regions and viable action plan from the deliberations to meet the production challenges of future. The symposium had 14 broad sub-themes, spread over different sessions, depicting key areas of production, plant protection, post-harvest management, Hi-tech horticulture, biotechnology and impact of changing environment. The symposium evoked a great response among scientists and other participants from different parts of India and abroad. There were about 300 participants from 12 countries. Indian participants representing 28 National Institutes and Universities. Among the foreign delegates the scientists from Iran, China, Italy, Brazil, Turkey, South Africa, Thailand, Australia, Bhutan, Vietnam and Nepal attended the symposium. There were number of plenary lectures by eminent scientists from India and abroad. Most of the scientific contributions were presented through posters to promote face-to-face interaction among the interested scientists. The symposium succeeded in deliberating the latest findings in the field of temperate fruit growing in the tropics and subtropic regions of world and allied disciplines to sustain productivity and natural resources management judiciously under changing environmental conditions. The important thrust areas which have emerged out of the deliberation are: • There should be increased collaboration and cooperation between the countries of temperate zone fruits in the tropics and subtropics for expansion of the cultivation of these crops. • New characteristics such as region of origin of cultivar, chilling requirement, heat units, rootstocks, harvesting season and shelf life should be added to the existing description of the temperate fruits for the tropics and subtropics. The participants were taken around various departments of the university including the museum and library and experimental orchards. They visited Horticultural Research Stations at Kandaghat and Shimla (hill queen of India) for appraisal of research and development in fruits. Furthermore special excursions for spouses, cultural nights depicting art and cultural heritage of Himalayan states of Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh were organized. The conference venue gave the memorable moments to the participants since it was organized in the serene atmosphere of misty mountain resort Hotel Pinewood. As the Convener of the symposium I express my sincere thanks to His Excellency the Governor of Himachal Pradesh Mr. V.S. Kokje for inaugurating the Seventh International Symposium on Temperate Zone Fruits in the Tropics and Subtropics. With his keen interest in horticulture, the backbone of economy of mountain states of India located in Hindu Kush Himalayas we feel encouraged. His advice to give impetus for increasing sustainable productivity of temperate fruits under the changing climate scenario in the tropics and subtropics will be taken with full commitment. With great sense of gratitude we are thankful to Dr. Norman Looney, President of ISHS, Dr. Víctor Galán Saúco from Spain, Chairman, ISHS Section Tropical and Subtropical Fruits and Ir. Jozef Van Assche, Executive Director and his colleague Mr. Peter Vanderborght for their valuable guidance and encouragement in planning and organization of the symposium. I am also thankful to ISHS representatives Prof. John V. Possingham from Australia, former Vice-President of ISHS, now honorary life member of ISHS and Prof. Ayzin B. Küden, Chairperson ISHS-TZFTS Working Group for expert guidance during this symposium. I express my sincere thanks to Dr. S.S. Negi, Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of National Organizing Committee who had been effectively guiding and coordinating different activities related to conduct of this symposium. Equally I am grateful to Dr. G. Kalloo, Deputy Director General (Horticulture), Indian Council of Agricultural Research for his constant encouragement and providing funds to support the ISHS-TZFTS symposium. I also offer my sincere thanks to Dr. Peter Allan from South Africa, Dr. G.A. Finetto and Dr. G. Bonous from Italy, Dr. Hasrsa Ali Küden from Turkey, Dr. A. Javanshah, Dr. Mazid Rahemi and Dr. H. Alipoor from Iran, Dr. Kano Yasutaka from Japan, Dr. Gabriel Berenhauser Leite from Brazil, Chinese scientists Dr. Yu Mwo De, Dr. Li Loug and Dr. Zuoyhong Hu as consultants of Diversified Agriculture System Project (DASP) and many of the post graduate students from neighboring countries like Nepal, Bhutan and Vietnam as participants. It is known fact that organizing such mega event needs financial support. I am extremely thankful to our co-partners namely, National Horticulture Board, Government of India, Gurgaon; Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi; World Bank funded Diversified Agriculture Support Project, Uttaranchal; Department of Horticulture, Government of Himachal Pradesh; Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, New Delhi; International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Kathmandu, Nepal besides champions of industries and entrepreneurs of scientific instruments and agrochemicals as co-sponsors. The hospitality of Tourism Development Corporation of Himachal Pradesh has made possible for us to host this mega event in Pinewood Barog, Solan Complex located in the panoramic and scenic hills of Himalayas. Such symposia would confine to conference halls, if the issues discussed and deliberated do not reach the general public. Media provides an important interface among the scientific community, policy makers and stakeholders. I thank representative from different national newspapers and media personnel from Television and All India Radio. I am grateful to the key speakers, galaxy of scientists from abroad and India for their participation and cooperation. I shall be failing in my duty if I do not thank my university scientists, students and colleagues who rendered all possible help to organize the Symposium. Finally, I would like to place on record my sincere gratitude and thanks to the International Society of Horticultural Science (ISHS) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for giving this university the opportunity in organizing the first ever International Symposium in Indian Subcontinent under ISHS aegis providing opportunity to Indian Scientists, students and horticulturists to interact with scientists of international repute for future international cooperation in advancing horticulture as essential life science. Thank you very much K.K. Jindal Convener | |
