Celebrating the “Fascination of Plants Day” on May 18, 2017

For once, the fascinating world of plants will be in the spotlight: The European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO) invites you to celebrate the fourth Fascination of Plants Day on May 18, 2017 to highlight the importance of plants and plant sciences.

Whether on sea or on land, in extreme heat or biting cold: Plants always find a way to perform. Given their diverse features, it is fair to say they have green superpowers. Without plants, the environment and human life on earth cannot exist. They are the major source of oxygen and food for all forms of life. They provide us with shelter and produce bio-materials, energy or medicines as well as income for farmers. While plants always had a key role in the history of our planet, it is easy to overlook their significance in today’s highly accelerated and technological lives.

Thousands of activities are planned around the world on “Fascination of Plans Day 2017” to get people excited about the intriguing world of plants and to remind us of their critical significance to social, environmental and economic issues on our earth today and in future.

For this purpose, many plant science institutions including universities, botanical gardens and museums, together with schools, farmers and companies will offer a variety of plant-based interactive events and activities for all interested people of all ages.

Sharing the fascination for the world of plants and tomatoes in particular, TRADITOM partners will not miss out to contribute to this special event. Coordinator Prof. Antonio Granell and his group will address the diversity of traditional tomatoes in a presentation directed to High School teachers about the work in TRADITOM at the CSIC-IBMCP institute in Valencia. In addition, strategies for introducing innovation in traditional tomato varieties by breeding and biotech approaches will be presented in round table and open discussion groups. Furthermore, Prof. Mathilde Causse (INRA) will speak at the French Academy of Agriculture on improving tomato traits including insights gained within the TRADITOM project.

For more information, please visit the event website.

Everybody is welcome to join this initiative! If you would like to contribute to the Fascination of Plants Day, contact your National Coordinator at www.plantday.org.