Conference Topic

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) originated in tropical America is one of the most important vegetables because of its nutritive value and widespread production. As a warm season crop, tomato can be grown all year round in the tropics and under greenhouse conditions in many countries. Selection and breeding programs helped to grow tomato cultivars and hybrids in climates far different from the site of their origin. In the lowland of most tropical countries, average yield of tomato is much lower than in temperate zone countries because of exceedingly high temperatures and incidence of diseases and pests.

In the tropics, there is a large range of microclimates, different production systems, consumer requirements, and socio-economic diversity, including small-scale horticulture. The technological progress in production and postharvest handling of tomato has been rapid in many countries. This implies the need for exchanges among researchers, especially between those of higher and lower latitudes, to achieve good production and qualities in tropical areas and to fulfill market and consumer requirements.

For this symposium, a number of distinguished speakers have been invited to provide an overview of topics related to tomato production in the tropics and the possible introduction of improved production and postharvest technology adaptable to tropical conditions.

The main goal of this symposium is to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas among researchers, academicians, and professionals working with tomato or related disciplines on tomato production in the tropics, including genetics and breeding, ecophysiological aspects, production and greenhouse technology, pests and physiological disorders, post-harvest technology and product quality, processing, and also economic, market and rural development.