From May 28th to 30th, the College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences of Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU), in collaboration with the National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, hosted the “BRI” International Symposium on Horticulture Advances. The symposium aimed to promote international cooperation and showcase the latest advancements in horticultural science. Researchers from China, Turkey, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Nigeria attended the event. Professor Cheng Yunjian, Dean of the College of Horticulture and Forestry, and Professor Xu Qiang, Director of the National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, were present at the meeting.

 Professor Cheng Yunjian, Dean of the College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences delivered a welcome address at the opening ceremony. He pointed out that horticulture has enormous potential to address global food security and environmental sustainability challenges. Through the development of new technologies, optimization of cultivation patterns, and conservation of wild germplasm resources, horticultural research will have a lasting impact for generations to come. Professor Xu Qiang, Director of the National Key Laboratory of Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Fruit and Vegetable Crops, provided a detailed overview of the College of Horticulture and Forestry and the National Key Laboratory, highlighting the laboratory’s achievements in research on citrus, tomato, peach, and other crops. Professor Muhammad Azam Khan and Dr. Umer Habib from PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Professor Arif Atak from Bursa Uludağ University, Bursa, Türkiye, Dr. Juju Nakasha binti Jaafar from Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia, Dr. Oluwafemi Michael Adedire from Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria, Professor Zhang Yuyang, Professor Tian Zhendong from the Department of Vegetables, Professor Fu Xiaopeng from the Department of Floriculture, and Dr. Zheng Xiongjie from the Center of Horticulture Biology of the College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences also attended the meeting and gave presentations.

During the three-day event, experts from around the world engaged in academic exchange and in-depth discussions on topics such as genetic diversity and crop improvement in horticulture, potato, and tomato disease resistance mechanisms, sustainable disease management practices, improving fruit quality and nutritional value, breeding disease-resistant chili pepper hybrids, and the impact of climate change on grape and kiwifruit cultivation. Participants also had the opportunity to visit the fruit tree, vegetable, and flower research bases of Huazhong Agricultural University, where they experienced the latest research in controlled environment agriculture, pest management, and precision agriculture technologies. Additionally, experts visited the Wuhan Botanical Garden, Wuhan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and the Wuhan Seed Expo, where they marveled at the vast array of rare ornamental and medicinal plants. They were particularly impressed by the progress made in horticultural biotechnology, seed technology, and industry trends in Wuhan. They also explored innovative hydroponic and edible mushroom cultivation systems.

During the symposium, experts also engaged in in-depth discussions on applying for joint research funds, establishing student exchange programs, and organizing joint symposia. Professor Zhang Yuyang, from the College of Horticulture and Forestry Sciences, signed a letter of intent for cooperation with international researchers.

The “BRI” International Symposium on Horticulture Advances was jointly organized by the College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences of Huazhong Agricultural University, the National Key Laboratory for Germplasm Innovation and Utilization of Horticultural Crops, and the journal “Horticulture Advances“. A total of over 150 experts, scholars, and postgraduate students from the university attended the event.