FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The scientists who have taken part in the workshop, hold the opinion that ornamental horticulture has a promising future; this future will be strongly influenced and may be even characterized by:

1. a considerable increase of production;

2. increasing requirements and limitations brought about by regulations and legislation on environmental protection;

3. the social need for extension of recreational areas, development and protection of landscape and legislation;

4. consumer’s demand for better quality of produce and production methods;

In this discussion they have concluded that, generally speaking, it is possible for the ornamental horticulture industry to meet these requirements in view of, for instance, the following developments on present day basic and strategic research:

1. the development and introduction of new effective ways to control and manage production systems;

2. improved possibilities in plant breeding research to make new varieties with desirable chracters and to reproduce these quickly;

3. development of new approach to disease and pest control which allow for minimum pollution of the environment;

4. development of new principles and tools for the detection of pathogens, the diagnosis of stress situations and of desired quality levels of plant.

These and other developments of knowledge and technologies from basic and strategic research will have to be adapted for application and adopted in practice in order to be effective for furthering the development of ornamental horticulture.
Adaptation requires applied research to be executed on close cooperation with the preceding phases of strategic research.
Adoption by growers will require a positive attitude towards application of innovative technologies.
Such a positive attitude will only develop when the innovations prove to have beneficial effects for the growers.
In order to reach the desirable situation indicated above, the following remarks are considered to be important:

1. Growers, especially the young generations, will require a practical horticultural training; landscape architects should have an adequate knowledge of applicability of plants; this criterium merits utmost attention of policy makers, educationalists, and growers organisations.

2. Extension will have to be available at a high but practical standard; extension should result in a visible improvement for the grower in a short period of time.
   In many parts of the world, but in any case in Northern Italy, this is necessary in order to convince growers of the benefits of advisory services.
   In due course Grower’s Organisations should be willing to (co-)finance extension.

3. Applied research plays a vital role in the transfer of knowledge and technology towards practical application.
   Growers should have a direct influence on the choice

International Workshop on Floriculture & Nursery Industries and Environment

Dr. Weststeijn

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1994.353.16