International postharvest symposium comes to New Zealand

Anyone with an interest in the postharvest treatment of fruits, vegetables and other horticultural crops needs to arrange a trip to New Zealand next November.?The 9th ISHS International Postharvest Symposium will take place in Rotorua, New Zealand, on 9-13 November 2020. The symposium will bring together leading professionals in the field of postharvest research, offering a diverse programme that includes interactive workshops, social events and field trips.?The discipline of postharvest enables harvested fruits and vegetables to reach their markets with optimal quality and safety. The Symposium will focus on the biological and technological postharvest research of fresh horticultural produce, including postharvest storage, treatments and underpinning mechanisms, quality evaluation, packaging, handling and distribution of fruit, vegetables and flowers. ?The first of the?Keynote Speakers?have been announced. Professor Juliet Gerrard, the Prime Minister?s Chief Science Advisor, will open the symposium with an entertaining and insightful perspective on science and horticulture in New Zealand. The programme also includes a visit to the Plant & Food Research Te Puke Research Centre, and a tour of Hobbiton, with dinner at the Hobbiton Green Dragon pub.?Abstract submissions are now open at?postharvest2020.co.nz. The organising committee encourage new and emerging researchers to submit an abstract. Details for early bird registration will be released soon.?Visitors to the Symposium will also have time to explore Rotorua, one of the premier tourist destination in New Zealand. Rotorua is world-renowned for bubbling mud pools, erupting geysers, natural hot springs and M?ori culture. The city also offers activities for the more adventurous like luge-ing, ziplines, zorbing, jetboating, bungy jumping, and mountain biking.?For regular updates on Postharvest 2020, join the mailing list by emailing?events@plantandfood.co.nz. You can also follow @Postharvest2020 on?Twitter?and?FacebookSource