The Plant BioProtection Forum returns with an edition focused on the challenges of persimmons.
Description
On October 23rd , the ETSIAMN-UPV (Polytechnic University of Valencia) Auditorium will host a new edition of the Plant BioProtection Forum , which this year is presented under the motto "Horizonte Kaki: new responses to new challenges." The event is organized by the Official College of Agricultural Technical Engineers and Graduates of Valencia and Castellón (COITAVC) , in collaboration with the journal Phytoma .
Persimmon cultivation, which originally presented few phytosanitary problems, currently faces severe pressure from pests and diseases such as leaf spot, scale insects, whiteflies, and thrips. Added to this are other crucial challenges: the scarcity of quality water, the effects of climate change, new nutritional approaches, and the inherent limitations of a production model based on the 'Rojo Brillante' variety.
According to the forum's scientific and technical directors, César Monzó and Francisco Beitia (IVIA), the progressive reduction in control tools is forcing researchers, technicians, and producers to work together to find sustainable alternatives, both from an economic, social, and environmental perspective.
The conference aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the present and future of the persimmon crop in Spain, a crop that in recent decades has gone from being a residual commodity linked to personal consumption to becoming an economic driver and a paradigmatic example of agro-industrialization thanks to technological innovation.
The Plant BioProtection Forum , launched in 2019 as the first national meeting specialized in biological control, has established itself as a benchmark for plant health professionals. Previous editions, focusing on Mediterranean crops and green areas, have positioned it as a must-attend event for those seeking solutions based on bioprotection and sustainability.