Orchard Systems 2025 symposium comes to New Zealand

Growers and industry representatives have been invited to attend The 13th International Symposium on Integrating Canopy Rootstock and Environmental Physiology in Orchard Systems (Orchard Systems 2025), which will be held in Napier, New Zealand, on 19-24 January 2025.

The symposium is held under the aegis of The International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) and The New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science (NZIAHS), with Plant & Food Research organising the event.

This international symposium attracts world-leading researchers, extension specialists, industry technical representatives and growers of temperate, subtropical and tropical fruit crops, many of whom will present their current research.

Topics discussed include the latest advancements in orchard management (pruning, crop loading, growth regulators), plant genetics (rootstocks and new cultivars), training systems, digital horticulture, fruit quality and plant/environmental physiology and modelling.

To date, 140 abstracts from 26 countries have been received covering with a wide range of crops including kiwifruit, apple, pear, cherry, apricot, citrus, grape, almond, mango, olive, and avocado. Eight keynote speakers have been confirmed, with Mike Currie of the Kiwifruit Breeding Centre providing the opening address.

Organisers noted for those travelling to New Zealand from overseas, all non-NZ residents will require either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authority.

They highlighted that Visa applications are taking longer than usual, more than five weeks in some instances. In addition, most New Zealand businesses, including immigration offices, will be closed for the summer holidays from 20 December until 13 January.

“Please ensure you apply for your visa, book your accommodation and register in plenty of time, for more information visit our website,” organisers said.