VIII International Congress on Cactus Pear and Cochineal

Honorary Committee

Giuseppe Barbera, University of Palermo, Honorary President

Organizing Committee

Paolo Inglese, University of Palermo, Italy
Ettore Barone, University of Palermo, Italy
Lino Ferrantello, Regione Siciliana, Italy
Giorgia Liguori, University of Palermo
Ali Nefzaoui General Coordinator Cactusnet- FAO-ICARDA
Makiko Taguchi, AGPM, FAO - Rome, Italy
Salvatore Rapisarda Euroagrumi OP, Italy
Rosolino Romano Garufa srl, Roccapalumba, Italy
Giuseppe Sortino University of Palermo

Scientific Committee

Ali Nefzaoui, General Coordinator FAO-ICARDA Cactusnet
Hichem Ben Salem, INRAT, Tunisia
Francesco Bonina, University of Catania, Italy
Innocenza Chessa, University of Sassari, Italy
Maria Crescimanno, University of Palermo, Italy
Josè Dubeux, UFRPE, Brasil
Alessandra Gentile, University of Catania, Italy
Giorgia Liguori, University of Palermo, Italy
Maria Antonietta Livrea, University of Palermo, Italy
Candelario Mondragon, INIFAP, Mexico
Monica Nazareno, Universidad de Santiago del Estero, Argentina
Judith Ochoa, Universidad de Santiago del Estero, Argentina
Liberato Portillo, Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico
Carmen Saenz, Universidad de Chile

The International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), FAO-ICARDA Cactusnet and the Department of Agricultural and forestry Science of the University of Palermo (IT), jointly with the Department di Economia e Sistemi Arborei/ University of Sassari (IT) and the Italian Society for Horticultural Science (SOI) invite researchers, growers and processing managers to attend the VIII International Cactus pear and Cochineal Symposium. The Symposium will be held in Palermo (Italy) from October 28-31, 2013. Palermo is one of the oldest and most beautiful European cities; founded by the Phoenicians, it later became the exotic capital city of during the Arab age, at the edge of the X° century, and, then, 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 seas. 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 term of art, culture and landscape. During the four days of the congress speakers from Europe, America, Asia and Africa will review current research trends, present new discoveries and make plans for future research and special projects in all areas of cactus pear and cochineal industry. The main topics to be discussed are:

• GeneticResources and Breeding;
• Fruit Production: Ecophysiology, Orchard and postharvest management;
• Forage production and utilization;
• Cochineal breeding and utilization;
• Agroindustrial and Pharmaceutical uses;
• Economy & Marketing.

The Symposium will have a scientific program consisting of plenary lectures, oral communications and posters. In addition, there will be a pre/post-symposium tour, specialized field excursions and programs for accompanying persons.

Important dates

• Abstracts submission: Abstract should be received by the end of May 2013.
• Abstracts acceptance decision: The Scientific Committee will examine them and take a decision concerning acceptance and type of contribution (oral or poster) by the end of June 2013.  Shortly a submission form will be available online.

Paolo Inglese & Innocenza Chessa

Please, download the full first announcement as PDF file

• Abstracts submission: Abstract should be received by the end of May June 2013 .
• Abstracts acceptance decision: The Scientific Committee will examine them and take a decision concerning acceptance and type of contribution (oral or poster) by the end of June 2013.

Shortly a submission form will be available online.

Paolo Inglese & Innocenza Chessa
Conveners

Please, download the full first announcement as PDF file