Vol. 81 No: 6

Title:
Guest Editorial: Changes in the Organisation of Horticultural Research

Author:
DR. JOHN V. POSSINGHAM

pp: 933

Abstract:
Although, the dictionary definition of horticulture is simply “the art of gardening”, horticultural science covers many crops, sciences and technologies and embraces much of plant biology. Historically, horticultural research Institutes were mainly concerned with specific crops such as apples and pears, vegetables, grapes or citrus, with the science organised along disciplinary lines involving chemistry, physics and biology. Attention was directed towards topics such as plant nutrition, irrigation, drainage, protection from fungal diseases and insect pests, and crop management, pruning and training. Work was also undertaken on the quality and preservation of the product and in crop improvement involving the introduction, selection and breeding of new varieties and rootstocks. Most Institutes provided an advisory service to enable the findings of research to be transmitted to growers. It also made researchers aware of growers` problems. Horticultural crops differ from the broad-acre crops that we depend on for our bulk foods, because they provide products with flavours, tastes and textures that we greatly value, while the flowers of ornamentals bring beauty to our everyday lives. Man has preserved these characteristics over many centuries, resulting in the distinguishing features of horticultural crops being intertwined with our own well-being.

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