MED researchers in the 2024 International Citrus Congress in Jeju, South Korea

In late 2024, MED researchers from the University of the Algarve had an important presence at the International Society of Citriculture Congress (ISC2024), which took place in Jeju, South Korea.

The aim of this congress is to strengthen science and technology internationally for the benefit of the global citrus industry. The first ISC Congress took place in Murcia and Valencia, Spain, in 1973 and since then it has promoted the coordination of the world production chain in the search for scientific and technological issues that lead to the efficient production and consumption of citrus fruits and related products.

At this event, Amílcar Duarte, MED researcher and professor at the University of Algarve, was honoured with the Best Oral Presentation Award for his paper entitled ‘Sustainability of Portuguese citrus production. Environmentally friendly cultural practices and ecosystem services’. This award is a significant recognition, considering that it was chosen from 232 oral communications presented at the congress (excluding communications by invitation).

Pedro Matias, a MED PhD student at the University of Algarve, also stood out in the oral communications session on climate change and abiotic stresses, with his presentation entitled ‘Carbon sequestration and other ecosystem services provided by urban citrus trees – A case study in a Mediterranean city’.

In addition to the oral presentations, MED researchers also contributed to ICS2024 with three posters on topics relevant to citrus growing:

• Effect of blocking pest stings and solar radiation on rind-stain development in ‘Encore’ mandarin fruits
• Effect of kaolin on rind-stain control in ‘Encore’ mandarin fruits
• Anthracnose control in orange trees, by pruning, fungicides and biostimulants

Another important milestone of this congress was the approval of the application to hold the 2032 International Citrus Congress in the Algarve. The organisers of the 2032 Congress include the University of the Algarve (through the Faculty of Science and Technology and MED&CHANGE), the Portuguese Horticultural Association, AlgarOrange – the Algarve Citrus Operators Association and CCDR Algarve, I.P. Amílcar Duarte will also assume the presidency of the International Citrus Society after the next ICS in 2028 and until ICS 2032 is held in the Algarve.

The successful participation of MED researchers in ICS 2024 and the approval of the application to organise the 2032 congress reflect the commitment and excellence of citrus research in Portugal.