Assimilate transport and partitioning. Integration of structure, physiology and molecular biology

Abstract

The papers in this Special Issue of AjPP were submitted by keynote speakers who participated in the International Conference on Assimilate Transport and Partitioning (ICATP¿99) held at Newcastle Convention Centre, Newcastle, Australia during 15¿20 August, 1999. ICATP¿99 was co-convened by Tina Offler, The University of Newcastle and Michael Thorpe, HortResearch, New Zealand. It was the sixth in a series of International Conferences since 1974 and was attended by 220 delegates from 21 countries. ICATP¿99 opened with a pre-conference dinner at which an aboriginal elder and custodian of the Mimaga Wajaar (Mother Earth) culture, Uncle Bill Smith, warmly welcomed delegates to the Awabakal tribal lands of local indigenous ancestors with a message to freely share knowledge. This point was further developed in an afterdinner speech by Don Geiger (Dayton, USA), a founding member of this series. Delegates transformed these sentiments into effect throughout the scientific program, rendering ICATP¿99 a rewarding and valuable experience for all. The next conference will be convened in Germany during 2003.