Write up about the Conference
The 2nd Southeast Asia Symposium on Quality Management in Postharvest Systems (SEA2013) Was held on 4 to 6 December 2013 in conjunction with the Asia Pacific Conference on Postharvest Systems Improvement for Food Security and Poverty Reduction APC2013). Both were held in the Lane Xang Hotel in Vientiane, Lao PDR. SEA 2013 tackled various postharvest systems and recent procedures mainly on perishable produce to mainly quality. Most of the research papers were on tropical horticultural commodities. A highlight of the SEA 2013 was the recognition of eminent postharvest scientists from developed and developing countries. This was followed by plenary lectures of their recent research results.
The APC 2013 reported recent innovations and some effective campaigns to ensure food security through the reduction of household food wastes.
The two conferences were organized and supported by the international Society of Horticultural Science, Belgium; Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Vientiane, Lao PDR; King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand; Visayas State University, Leyte, Philippines; and FAO-Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand.
Feedback on paper presented
A. As the sample fruit were cured, and inquiry was made on the possible effect of 1-MCP treatment without curing the fruit.
B. The available information on factors that lead to granulation to pummelo fruit. There was a suggestion to further pursue the matter about pummelo granulation starting with its incidence as influenced by month of harvest.
C. The availability of a method to detect granulation in pummelo in a non-destructive manner.
D. The practice of curing pummelo.
Future directions of research presented
Characterization of granulation in pummelo
Possible ways of non-destructive detection of granulation of pummelo
Potential foreign collaborators
Dr. Chalermchai Wongs-Aree of King Mongkut University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand.
Dr. Rosa Rolle Food and Agriculture Organization-Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand.
Other important contacts and insights
There is a possibility of collaborating with the King Mongkut University of Technology Thonburi in Bankok, Thailand in 2014 as a visiting researcher in Dr. Chalermchai Wongs-Aree’s Postharvest Physiology laboratory.
Short write-up of one’s participation (to be used to feature/publicize the grantee’s participation in the conference)
Prof. Emma Ruth V. Bayogan of the University of the Philippines Mindanao attended the II Southeast Asia Symposium on Quality Management in Postharvest Systems (SEAsia 2013) held at the Lane Xang Hotel Vientiane, Lao PDR on December 3-6, 2013. She presented an oral/poster paper entitled “Postharvest Quality of Pummelo [Citrus Maxima (Burm. Ex Rumph) Merr] Fruit Treated with 1-Methylcyclopropene”. She also presented poster papers on: “Postharvest Quality of Waxed and Wrapped Santol (Sandoricum koetjape) Fruit” and “Vase Life of Torch Ginger (Etlingera elatior) Inflorescences as Influenced by Harvest Maturity and 1-Methylcyclopropene”. She was able to interact with eminent postharvest researchers the likes of Dr. Barry McGlasson (Australia), Dr. Robert Paull (USA), Dr. Sirichai Kanlayanarat (Thailand), and Dr. Margareth Serek (Germany).
She also chaired an oral session (Processing and Extension) on the second day of the conference. The third day was a technical tour to a fruit and vegetable wholesale market; an organic vegetable farm; and to silk factory.
