IV International Symposium on Loquat - Second Announcement

Abstract submission deadline is December 31, 2013. For more details check out http://www.ishs.org/symposium/343

The International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) with the support of the Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences (University of Palermo) and the Key Laboratory of Innovation and Utilization for Germplasm Resources in Horticultural Crops in Southern China of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes (South China Agricultural University) invite researchers, growers and industry managers to attend the IV International Symposium on Loquat.

Palermo is one of the oldest and most beautiful European cities; founded by the Phoenicians, it later became the exotic capital city of the Emirate of Sicily during the Arab age, at the edge of the X century, and subsequently the capital city of the Norman Kingdom and the Kingdom of Sicily, for centuries. Sicily is a unique island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Since the time of the Greek colonies of Syracuse and Selinunte the history of the Island has been so rich that it is a real treasure in terms of art, culture and landscape.

In Italy, loquat is mainly cultivated along the Northern coast of Sicily. Specialized cultivation of loquat is found near Trabia and Ficarazzi, East of Palermo, where it started in the past century in place of lemon and citron. In the surroundings of Palermo and other parts of Sicily, loquat is instead cultivated along with citrus with which it shares common water and nutritional needs.

During the four days of the Symposium, speakers from Europe, Asia and other areas of the world will review current research trends, present new discoveries and make plans for future research and special projects in all areas of loquat industry.

The main topics to be discussed are:

• Genetic Resources
• Breeding and Biotechnology
• Fruit Quality and Post-harvest Management
• Biology and Ecophysiology
• Orchard Design and Management
• Cultivar and Rootstock Evaluation and Propagation
• Production and Marketing.

The Symposium will have a scientific program consisting of plenary lectures, oral communications and posters. In addition, during the Symposium there will be a day dedicated to specialized field excursions. Organized tours will be available for accompanying persons.