Explore the latest advances in research on diseases of the world’s most popular fruit vegetable in one of Asia’s most well-developed and vibrant agricultural economies.
TOMATO IN TAIWAN
PRESENTATIONS Expect plenary lectures, invited papers, and oral and poster presentations in the following categories: 1. GENETICS AND BREEDING FOR RESISTANCE 2. FOOD SAFETY AND POSTHARVEST DISEASES 3. HOST – PATHOGEN INTERACTION 4. ECOLOGY AND EPIDEMIOLOGY 5. DISEASE MANAGEMENT
INVITED SPEAKERS Prof. David M. Francis | The Ohio State University Dr. Moshe Lapidot | Institute of Plant Sciences, Israel Prof. Shyi-Dong Yeh | National Chung Hsing University Prof. William Earl Fry (Emeritus) | Cornell University Dr. Kai-Shu Ling | USDA-ARS, U.S. Vegetable Laboratory
Tomatoes were first imported to Taiwan by the Dutch during their occupation in the early 1600s, and remain a popular fruit-vegetable. The area of land used for tomato production peaked at about 12,400 hectares in 1984, but then declined to an average of about 4,500 hectares from 1993 until now, with production fluctuating between 24 and 30 tons per hectare. Average farm size is about 0.7 hectares, and tomato producers often join cooperatives to supply tomatoes to specific outlets.
Tomato production has become a relatively sophisticated industry. The trend towards growing tomatoes under protected conditions in poly-net tunnels rather than in the open field, which started in the northern production areas, is now spreading further south. Most farmers purchase tomato seedlings from specialist nurseries, and there is also a trend towards using grafted plants to manage diseases and to improve fruit quality. Most tomatoes grown in Taiwan are traded as fresh fruit and consumed raw as a dessert or part of a salad, or cooked. There is limited tomato production for large scale commercial processing.
Perhaps because of island’s long history of tomato cultivation, and Taiwan being a major shipping and trading hub in East Asia, many of the pests and diseases affecting tomato in other parts of the world have been introduced into Taiwan and threaten production. Some of the important diseases include the begomoviruses and emerging Crinivirus, bacterial wilt and bacterial spot, late blight and early blight, Fusarium wilt, Southern blight and Stemphylium leaf spot.
Taiwan has a well-developed and high quality agricultural and horticultural research system and infrastructure, and there are many different organizations carrying out basic and applied research and development activities on diseases and pests of tomato, including universities, government agencies, and private seed companies.
The symposium will feature presentations on the theme of Managing tomato diseases in the face of globalization and climate change.
CURRENCY The New Taiwan Dollar (NTD) is the national currency of Taiwan. All major international currencies can be exchanged at Taiwan’s international airports, large hotels and banks.
VISA International participants must have a valid passport and visa. For details, visit the Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs website: https://www.boca.gov.tw/mp-2.html An invitation letter for obtaining a visit will be issued on request.
FEES (USD)
TAICHUNG Taichung is Taiwan’s second largest city — a modern, welldeveloped metropolis with a good selection of hotels and easy access to Taoyuan International Airport (Taipei) via high-speed rail and Taichung International Airport for regional flights.
Two of the convening organizations are located in or near the city, and the city is conveniently located for visiting the main tomato growing areas to the south. Dates for the symposium have been chosen so there will still be tomatoes in the field and the summer typhoon season will not have started.
WEATHER Taichung has generally pleasant, warm weather in May. Daytime temperatures are about 27°C (81°F); nightly 21°C (69°F), with 85% relative humidity.
VENUE The VI International Symposium on Tomato Diseases will be held at the National Museum of Natural History in Taichung, Taiwan. Set on 22 acres of parkland, the museum is a six-venue complex housing the Space IMAX Theater, Science Center, Life Science Hall, Human Cultures Hall, Global Environmental Hall and the Botanical Garden. Over 30 permanent exhibit areas cover subjects on astronomy, space science, paleontology, ecology, gems and minerals, aboriginal cultures, and tropical plants. Rotating special exhibits emphasize science learning activities.
The museum is located in the West Central district, about 10 km (22 minutes) from the Taichung High Speed Railway Station.
World Vegetable Center PO Box 42 Shanhua, Tainan 74199 TAIWAN
T +886 (0) 583-7801 F +886 (0) 583-0009
E info@2019tomato.org
10/2018
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