International Pollination Symposium 2007 -- Sub-Themes

Sub-Themes

Descriptions of the four Sub-themes:

The 9th International Pollination Symposium brings together a diverse array of topics whose interwoven theme, as already identified, deals with the diversity of plant and pollinator relationships at many different levels of activity. The four sub-themes of the Symposium, as described below, provide a comprehensive coverage of topics that deal with plants and their ecosystems that are pollinated by a variety of insects and other animals, and which themselves are subject to overlying genetic mechanisms.

Sub-theme I: Floral Characteristics - Attraction and Rewards
''The efficient attraction of pollinators to flowers depends on a number of floral characteristics. These include fragrance, pollen, nectar, as well as visual stimuli. The characterization, expression and recognition of these characters will be included in this session.''

Expected Outcomes -
- New information on floral characters for attracting pollinators
- Impacts of fragrance, pollen, nectar, and visual stimuli
- Breeding and genetic manipulation of plants to attract pollinators

Sub-theme II: Impacts of Animal-Mediated Pollination on Gene Flow
''Animal mediated pollen movement is an important mechanism of gene dispersal in many wild and domesticated plant species. This sub-theme encompasses areas of research relating to mechanisms and pattern of pollen gene flow and how they are influenced by interactions between plants and pollinators. Studies well suited to this session include those examining the escape and fate of transgenes from crop species into wild and weedy relatives, habitat disturbance effects on different pollination guilds and its consequences for pollen gene flow in contemporary fragmented landscapes, influences of pollinator mediated selection on gene flow and diversification in plants, plant-pollinator coevolution and its implications for gene flow, the interaction of pollinators, gene flow, and mating system dynamics in the evolution of natural, weedy, and domesticated species, implications of pollen flow for local adaptation, and procedures for quantifying rates and spatial patterns of pollen flow within and among populations or cultivars will be included in this session.''

Expected Outcomes -
- Biotechnology risk assessment: the escape and establishment of transgenes
- Influences of gene flow on the success of weedy and invasive plant species
- Gene flow and mating system dynamics in the evolution and domestication of plant species
- Impacts of human-mediated habitat disturbance on pollinators and plant gene flow such as in fragmented tropical forest ecosystems and agriculturally intensive regions.
- Molecular and statistical genetic advances for quantifying gene flow

Sub-theme III: Pollinators in Plant Genetic Resource Conservation & Enclosed Production Systems
''This sub-theme examines the management of pollinating insects under the controlled conditions of enclosed spaces, including field cages, growth chambers and greenhouses, as applied to ex situ germplasm conservation, plant breeding, and horticultural production. These systems are highly managed, requiring specialized equipment and techniques and are directed towards the efficient production of high-value plant products. Research that investigates the refinement of existing pollination systems, the development of entirely new protocols, and the experimental assessment of available alternatives to meet the needs of genebank managers, plant breeders, seed producers, and greenhouse fruit and vegetable producers are of interest. Studies on the efficiency of seed and fruit production in enclosures and the preservation of genetic integrity for plant breeding and genetic resource conservation are clearly pertinent and will be included in this session.''

Expected Outcomes -
- Pollination systems to conserve plant genetic resources
- New techniques and protocols for the management of pollinating insects
- Important information for genebank managers, plant breeders, seed producers, and greenhouse fruit and vegetable producers
- Use of controlled conditions including field cages, growth chambers and greenhouses
- Preservation of the genetic integrity of plant breeding and genetic resources

Sub-theme IV: Pollinator Biology, Conservation & Protection
''Successful pollination by insects in present and future crops depends on an understanding of pollinator biology, conservation and protection. Investigations of pollinator life history traits, foraging behaviors and rearing methods are necessary for improving pollination success. Conservation of known and potential pollinators depends upon identifying plant-pollinator relationships, native habitat management as well as the use of sustainable agricultural practices. Pollinators are challenged by parasites, pathogens and many environmental hazards. Understanding how to minimize these challenges is important to sustain pollinators. Studies addressing these topics will be included in this session.''

Expected Outcomes -
- New information on the conservation and protection of pollinators
- Improving pollination success through native habitat management and sustainable agricultural practices
- Better management of life history traits, foraging behaviors and rearing methods
- Protecting pollinators from parasites, pathogens, and environmental hazards