European plant breeders part of EU Plant (European Plantraisers Association), took part to a series of events organised by their Dutch colleagues from Plantum from 6th to 8th November 2013 on the occasion of the International floricultural trade fair (IFTF) and the International Horticultural trade fair (IHTF).
32 representatives from 7 European countries - Great Britain, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Spain, Turkey and Russia - took part to the sixth event organised by EU Plant. The Italian delegation was the largest, as 11 people from Assoplant attended.
The Annual General Meeting of EU Plant also took place. Plant breeders were able to exchange ideas and assessments on the quality of plants and seeds used with respect to the various phytosanitary conditions in the different countries.
There were visits to Dutch nurseries adhering to the Gspp protocol (Good Seed and Plant Practices) and to companies producing soil-less cherry tomatoes (Looije Tomaten).
In the technical centre of Rijk Zwaan, the techniques for seed quality control and bacteria laboratory checks (especially regarding Clavibacter for tomatoes) were discussed. The "Pepino virus" and the two theories explaining the causes for its transmission were also thoroughly analysed.
The last day was dedicated to a technical meeting at Naktuinbouw, where a test to determine useful plants of four varieties - two tomato varieties and two pepper varieties - was discussed in detail.
Knowing the germinability of seeds is not enough for plant breeders, as it does not provide any information on the emergence, uniformity or growth of plants.
In cooperation with nursery gardeners, Naktuinbouw is working on a test to determine the cycle of so-called useful plants.
During the meeting, EU Plant partners decided to establish a European technical board made up of experts from the various countries in order to create a technical protocol for nursery gardens in cooperation with Naktuinbouw.
Assoplant shall discuss the first results during the next annual meeting of Italian plant breeders to be held in Rome on 4th December 2013.
The new Board of Directors will also be appointed and it will be made up of people coming from various regions.
Those wishing to contact Assoplant can take part to the meeting as representatives with no voting right.
All details will be published on www.assoplant.it .
Contacts:
ASSOPLANT - Associazione Produttori di Piante in Coltura Protetta
Casella Postale n.13 Ronchi
54100 MASSA
Tel.: +39 0585 093039
Fax: +39 0585 091210
Email: info@assoplant.it
Web: www.assoplant.it
Author: Mirko Aldinucci