Weekly Activities:

ARS scientists attend / present at international citrus congress in China   

Scientists at the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, FL, will present research at the 11^th Congress of the International Society of Citriculture, held in Wuhan, China, October 26 – 30, 2008.  Participants include Dr. Ed Stover, Research Horticulturist, Dr. Kim Bowman, Research Geneticist, Horticulture Research and Breeding Unit, Dr. YongPing Duan, Research Plant Pathologist, Subtropical Plant Pathology Unit, and Dr. Calvin Arnold, Lab Director. The group will participate in pre-congress tours visiting University of Fujian, Academy of Sciences in Fuzhou, and citrus growing areas.  China is the 2^nd largest citrus producing country in the world.  Expecting delegates from more than 40 countries, the congress provides a unique opportunity for new collaborations and updates on current citrus research.

Citrus genomics workshop to be held at Ft. Pierce, FL research laboratory

The 7^th Citrus Genomics Workshop, hosted by the USDA/ARS South Atlantic Area and National Program Staff will take place in Ft. Pierce, FL at the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory (USHRL) on October 8-9, 2008.  Moderated   by USHRL Horticulture and Breeding Unit research geneticist, Randy Niedz, the workshop proposes to continue the progress made over the past six years in further developing the national citrus genomic research effort that is critical for maintaining a competitive citrus industry in the U.S. Speakers will include Gail Wisler, NPS, Beltsville, MD, Emanuele De Paoli, U. Delaware, Ray Schnell, USDA-ARS, Miami, FL, and John Cordts, APHIS, Riverdale, MD.

ARS scientist speaks on alternative fruit crops at Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers and Sustainable Local Agriculture Conferences in Kona, Hawaii

On September 23-September 28, 2008, research leader Ed Stover, ARS, U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, Fort Pierce, Florida was a keynote speaker for the annual meeting of the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers and also the Sustainable Local Agriculture Conference both in Kona, Hawaii.  Dr. Stover gave presentations on diverse alternative fruit crops, including citrus.  On September 29-30, 2008, Stover will visit scientists at the ARS Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center (PBARC) in Hilo, Hawaii to exchange information on plant transformation and alternative crops

ARS horticulturist appointed to new position on council

On September 27, 2008, research horticulturist Joseph Albano, ARS Horticulture and Breeding Research Unit, U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, Ft. Pierce, FL was appointed as local arrangements co-chair for organizing the 2010 meeting of the Florida Academy of Sciences (FAS) to take place in Fort Pierce, Florida.  Dr. Albano had previously served as section chair for Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences in 2006 and 2007 as a member of the FAS council in that capacity.