International Sym Succulents and OtherDosium on Ornamentals

摘要

A four day International Symposium on Succulents and Other Ornamentals was organized jointly by the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). In connection with Pooppoli 2016 - Global Flori-Fest at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Ambalavayal, Wayanad, Kerala, India, the symposium was held from 24 to 27 January, 2016. The Global Flori-Fest and the symposium were designed to offer a platform for free interaction of various researchers and other stakeholders actively involved in global tourism as well as floriculture research, production and export. The main sponsors of theevent were the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and Hill Area Development Agency (HADA), Kerala. The economic importance of ornamentals has been growing in many countries, and international demand has markedly increased. In world flower trade, cut flowers represent the largest segment of the industry followed by flowering pot plants, tree and nursery crops, and flower bulbs. The most important plants are orchids, succulents (cacti and euphorbias), insectivorous plants, cycads, bulbous species, etc. However, exploitation from natural habitats is still excessive, endangering many species. India is one of the largest producersof horticultural crops worldwide and many of their horticultural scientists are renowned for their research on a range of horticultural crops, including ornamental species. The state of Kerala has extensive resources that could be utilized to acceleratethe floriculture and agri-tourism sector in the region. Development of the floricultural sector would not only improve the livelihood of farmers, but also play a great role in sustaining the ecosystem. Prof. Dr. K.V. Peter, Former Vice Chancellor, KAU, and Director, World Noni Research Foundation, Chennai, inaugurated the symposium. Prof. Dr. Sisir Kumar Mitra, ISHS representative, gave a briefing on ISHS.