More than 70 scientists and representatives from Taiwan government agencies, seed companies and farmers’ associations toured AVRDC’s headquarters campus during Open Day 2013 on 17 May to get a look at advanced yield trials of tomato and the international chili and sweet pepper nurseries, see the Genebank and Demonstration Garden, and visit displays about the Center’s research.

The four-hour field day aimed to build new and strengthen existing relationships with Taiwan’s research community and the private sector, raise the overall profile of the Center in Taiwan, and give Center research staff a chance to interact with their host-country peers in an informal, informational setting. The Mayor of Tainan City, Lai Ching-te, visited the research displays. A delegation from the Taiwan Council of Agriculture, led by Director General Kuei-sen Sheu of the Department of International Affairs, visited the Genebank and met with AVRDC’s Deputy Directors General Jackie Hughes (Research) and Yin-fu Chang (Administration & Services).

Healthy, productive plants thriving in AVRDC's international sweet and chili pepper nurseries.

Healthy, productive plants thriving in AVRDC’s international sweet and chili pepper nurseries.

Director General Kuei-sen Sheu of the Department of International Affairs, Taiwan Council of Agriculture, visited the Genebank with AVRDC’s Deputy Directors General Jackie Hughes (Research) and Yin-fu Chang (Administration & Services)

Director General Kuei-sen Sheu of the Department of International Affairs, Taiwan Council of Agriculture (center), visited the Genebank with AVRDC’s Deputy Directors General Jackie Hughes (Research) and Yin-fu Chang (Administration & Services)

The Nutrition group invited participants to join in games to test their knowledge about vegetables and nutrition. Personal body mass indexes were calculated, and visitors received tips on optimum calorie consumption and recipes to improve the nutritional quality of their diets with (what else?!) vegetables.

The Nutrition group invited participants to join in games to test their knowledge about vegetables and nutrition. Personal body mass indexes were calculated, and visitors received tips on optimum calorie consumption and recipes to improve the nutritional quality of their diets with (what else?!) vegetables.

A visitor grafting tomato with guidance from Mandy Lin, Global Technology Dissemination.

A visitor tries grafting tomato with guidance from Mandy Lin, Global Technology Dissemination.

At the Entomology display, visitors got a good close look at several stages of the legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata) life cycle. AVRDC researchers are investigating the use of a wasp parasitoid as a biocontrol against this pest, which causes heavy yield losses in the tropics.

At the Entomology display, visitors got a good close look at several stages of the legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata) life cycle. AVRDC researchers are investigating the use of a wasp parasitoid as a biocontrol against this pest, which causes heavy yield losses in the tropics.

Displays on tomato diseases including fusarium wilt, bacterial wilt, and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus drew many curious and interested visitors. Researchers explained various control methods, such as the use of phosphorous acid to check the spread of bacterial wilt.

Displays on tomato diseases including fusarium wilt, bacterial wilt, and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus drew many curious and interested visitors. Researchers explained various control methods, such as the use of phosphorous acid to check the spread of bacterial wilt.