WESLACO – The 68th annual meeting of the Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Society, formerly the Subtropical Plant Science Society, will be held Feb. 21 at South Texas College, Mid Valley Campus, 400 N. Border Ave. in Weslaco.
Irrigation water, Mexican produce markets and citrus greening will be among the issues to be discussed at the 68th annual meeting of the Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Society on Feb. 21 at STC in Weslaco. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Juan Carlos Melgar)
Registration begins at 7:45 a.m.; the program begins at 8:30 a.m. The fee is $35 payable at registration. The student fee is $15. Lunch and a one-year membership are included.
Dr. Juan Melgar, a plant physiologist at the Texas A&M-Kingsville Citrus Center at Weslaco and president of the society, said the program will focus on water conservation techniques, the state’s water plan, agroecology, market opportunities in Mexico for fruits and vegetables and the latest information on citrus greening in South Texas.
“Our annual meeting brings together growers, scientists and students and it is an excellent opportunity to exchange information and ideas,” Melgar said. “It offers an excellent opportunity to meet and get to know people involved in agriculture, plant science and environmental science. There is also the opportunity to learn about many of the challenges facing our agriculture and our environment.”
Topics and speakers will include:
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“Improving the flow of fresh produce from Mexico, invasive pests and food safety,” Bret Erickson, president, Texas International Produce Association, Mission.
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“Agroecology in South Florida,” Dr. Krish Jayachandran, Florida International University, Miami.
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“Water conservation statewide and in the Lower Rio Grande Valley,” Mindy Conyers, Agricultural Water Conservation Program, Texas Water Development Board, Austin.
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“Wetland restoration, water quality and property acquisition for conservation,” Jace Tunnell, Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, Corpus Christi.
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“Deployment of next-generation sequencing for tackling diseases of unknown etiology in South Texas,” Dr. Olufemi Alabi, plant pathologist, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Weslaco.
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“Citrus greening update,” Ray Prewett, president, Texas Citrus Mutual, Mission.
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“Spring drought update,” Barry Goldsmith, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Brownsville.
The program after lunch, beginning at 1:30 p.m. will include oral presentations on research being conducted by students working on undergraduate and graduate degrees, Melgar said.
For more information, contact Melgar at 956-973-3003 or email juan.melgar@tamuk.edu .
