College Events

International Conference

  

 

 

International Tropical Fruits Symposium / Workshop (Citrus and Mango)

   

Venue: College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University
Date:   20-23 March 2005

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 
Citrus and mango are the major tropical fruits world-wide. They occupy significant positions in the culture and traditions of the Middle East and Asia. 

Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) ranked as the second most important crop in Gulf region after dates. Beginning in the early 1980’s, lime started to decline due to Witches’ Broom Disease (WBDL). WBDL has now infected lime in the adjoining countries of the Gulf region and South Asia. The spread potential of WBDL calls for international dialogue and collaboration. Sultan Qaboos University is playing a central role in international research programs to find a solution for WBDL. The program has been simultaneously funded and or supported by MAF, COMSTECH, USDA and the University of Florida. 

Since 1998 a major new disease has devastated mango production in Oman. The disease now poses a serious regional threat to mango. Previous reports had limited the disease to Brazil; consequently a break down in phytosanitory quarantine regulations must have allowed entry to the region. The pathogen, is especially virulent on local mango varieties and local material used as rootstocks for exotic scions. The pathogen is carried between trees by a bark beetle. Research on witches’ broom and mango decline has reached a critical stage. Progress needs to be reviewed and future strategies discussed. This symposium is being organized in collaboration with the US Embassy in Muscat. The program will include field visits and site seeing. Potential sponsors include US-NSF and USDA. The objectives are as follows:

 

OBJECTIVES

  • Review the status of citrus and mango in the Gulf region and south east Asia
  • Discuss the status of WBDL research
  • Discuss the status of mango decline research
  • Formulate strategies for regional and international collaboration on the WBDL and mango decline
CONFERENCE THEMES
  • Host-Pathogen interactions
  • Disease transmission and epidemiology
  • Disease resistance 
  • Disease management and quarantine issues
  • Excursions and surveys

CONFERENCE LANGUAGE

 
English will be the official language during the Conference. 

 

SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION SPONSORS

 US SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

  • Harold W. Browning, Citrus Research and Education Center
    University of Florida, Lake Alfred, USA
  • Mikeal L. Roose, Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, U.S.A
  • J. W. Grosser, Citrus Research and Education Center
    University of Florida, Lake Alfred, USA
  • Carol J. Lovatt, Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California, Riverside, U.S.A
  • Gloria A. Moore, Horticulture Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
  • Fred G. Gmitter Jr, , Citrus Research and Education Center
    University of Florida, Lake Alfred, USA
  • Randy C. Ploetz, Tropical Crops Research and Education Center
    University of Florida, Homestead, USA
  • C. J. Chang, Department of Plant pathology, University of Georgia, Griffin, USA
  • Eliezer S. Louzada, Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center, Weslaco, USA
  • Richard Lee, USDA ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository for Citrus and Dates, Riverside, USA

 ORGANISING COMMITTEE

DEADLINES 

  
     Abstracts submission/intent to participate:    31 January 2005
     Notification of abstracts acceptance:    15 February 2005
     Submission of full paper:    10 March 2005

   

COSTS

 
There is no registration fee to attend this event.
   

ACCOMMODATION

 
We will provide accommodation and meals to all participants. Transport will be also provided from the hotels to the Conference venues and for excursion trips.

  

ABOUT SQU AND OMAN

 
The Conference will be held at Sultan Qaboos University, the premier university in the Sultanate of Oman. The University is situated on a modern campus, located about 15 km from the International Airport. The ‘solid’ architecture and beautiful landscape, in an otherwise stony desert environment, contribute to the unique characteristics of this built environment. 

The Sultanate of Oman lies at the crossroads of Africa, Europe and Asia. It has a more than 3000km long coast line facing Gulf, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. The capital city, Muscat, provides a captivating blend of the old and new characters of this ancient civilization. Increasing numbers of tourists are taking advantage of the desert and coastal scenery, the spectacular mountains and marine eco-tourism. March is a good time to venture the sands and seashore of Oman, with pleasant weather conditions (20-30ºC and low humidity).

 

REGISTRATION FORM

Please Download the form as:
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 or
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 file
   
 
Please send your abstracts and enquiries to:
 
   Iqrar A. Khan
  College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences
  Sultan Qaboos University

  P.O. Box 34, Al-Khod 123

  Sultanate of Oman   

  Fax: + 968 2441 3418,  Tel: + 968 2441 5213 (+ 968 2441 5215)
  E-mail:  iqrar@squ.edu.om 
  
College > Conferences, Seminars and Workshops > Symposium/Workshop on Tropical Fruits
College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences
Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khod 123, Oman
Phone: + 968 2441 5201, Fax: + 968 2441 3418
Email: cams@squ.edu.om
Designed by J. Perret, M. Claereboudt, F. Talukder & A. Kacimov
WebSite Address: http://www.squ.edu.om/agr/
Last Modified: 02 January 2005
© 2005 Sultan Qaboos University