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Talking about ACORBAT means getting involved in a research context about musaceae particularly bananas and plantains; having the opportunity to interact with great scientists immersed in investigation, as well as learning about the great advances in technology and finding business opportunities, obtaining benefits that often are not quantified or that perhaps have not been foreseen.

In this XXII edition of ACORBAT's international meeting, we will have the opportunity to learn about the exhibitions of recognized and prestigious scientists in three major topics:

1.- Biotechnology.- Much has been commented on the advances of biotechnology, the use of micro-organisms, plant extracts and micro-nutrients, in the control of pests and diseases.

It is important to know how stimulation processes are developed within plants, activating the production of phytoalexins that allows plants to generate their own defenses.

There is a lot of concern about the constant use of agrochemicals to combat the pests and diseases that affect banana and plantain crops; we consider that this is the perfect opportunity to know -from the best source- what alternatives there are in order to reduce the chemical load.

2.- The climate change.- the great assaults of the climate, the presence of constant natural phenomena and the impact and losses that are originated by the great meteorological changes, will be another of the subjects considered in this agenda.

 We will have the opportunity, through a colloquium, to listen to people well versed in this subject to understand what´s being done in Costa Rica, Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador, in order to minimize the impact and prepare for the future. These are scientists who do field work, with real experiences and verifiable results on how to prevent and deal with this context.

3.- Panama Disease Tropical race 4.- the threat posed by this new breed of Fusarium oxysporun f. sp. cubense (Foc. RT4)represents a huge concern among the banana world, since its impact is felt in some Asian countries and science and researchers make efforts to try to obtain means to prevent its dissemination, find alternatives through genetics to obtain resistant or tolerant materials, mitigate the impact and tend to maintain the banana and plantain production.

Scientists from four different countries have been invited: Philippines, Mozambique, China and Australia, to illustrate the actions they are taking in these places, for the management of the disease. We want to know, taking a step back from the academy, the decisions they make to counteract the impact of the disease. This second colloquium will allow us to interact with the exhibitors about their day-to-day experiences, dealing with this threat.

The XXII edition of this congress will allow us to attend 16 lectures and listen to the speakers of 25 research works in various disciplines, such as improvement, crop protection, physiology and plant nutrition, production and management. In addition, we will have a section with a permanent exhibition of more than 40 posters, whose authors will dialogue with attendees in a “face to face” manner.

Also, there will be two important colloquiums, in which scientists from different backgrounds will have space for detailed exposition of their knowledge and experiences, for a later question-answer interaction with the public, with the guidance of a moderator. All this is complemented with a mixed commercial exhibition, with 2500 square meters of exhibition of the main suppliers of this prolific banana industry.

In the framework of this event, which seeks to share scientific progress and different experiences within the processes of the banana world, new technological advances and innovations will be announced that will change the way to control Sigatoka for the benefit of all producers.

As always, attending ACORBAT’s international meeting, means the opportunity to interact with scientists, technicians, producers and traders from more than 40 countries, present in this great event. And with that, it will surely result in an enriching experience for all the sectors involved, with representatives from all the regions of the globe that have already completely booked the headquarters hotel.

ACORBAT 2018 will be held in the city of Miami, from May 2 to 4, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center.

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