Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IPP-CAAS), together with National R&D Center for Watermelon and Melon Industrial Technology and Chinese Society of Plant Protection, convened 2016 Workshop on Pest Management Technology and the Field Day for Watermelon and Melon in Guazhu County, Gansu Province, on 10-13 July, 2016. ZHANG Bujiang, the DDG of IPP, MA Zhongming, the Vice President of Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and CAO Guangsheng, the Subprefect of Guazhou County, were present at the Workshop. Dr. ZHAO Tingchang, the Chief Scientist at IPP, chaired the Workshop.

The aim of this Workshop is to improve the level of pest control in watermelon and melon, and to summarize and exchange the experience of the technology in the main production areas. To facilitate stable and sustainable development of the watermelon and melon industry, the participants discussed in depth the prospect of watermelon and melon production in China, especially the Northwest Region, and the problems existed in the production and their solutions. ZHANG Bujiang pointed out in his speech that it was necessary to hold the Workshop in Gansu, a less developed area in China, to promote the research and the agricultural production in this area. The way of this Workshop, combining industry, universities and research institutes, would be in favor of the rapid transformation of research results to production.

Scientists from research institutions and universities, experts from the National Watermelon and Melon Industry Technology System and its stations made excellent presentations on Diagnosis of the diseases and insect pests in watermelon and melon, Biological mechanism of disease and insect pest interaction in watermelon and melon, Control of watermelon and melon diseases and insect pests and reasonable pesticide application technology, Advanced experience in the control of watermelon and melon diseases and insect pests, and other aspects. Dr. ZHAO Tingchang, CAO Aocheng and YUAN Huizhu from IPP were invited to give plenary presentations. Participants from Beijing, Yunnan, Guangxi, Xinjiang and Shandong provinces introduced the occurrence and control of the diseases and insect pests in watermelon and melon and the general situation of the development of the industry in respective province (municipality or autonomous region). The participants deeply discussed and exchanged with the experts the critical technical issues in the control of watermelon and melon diseases and insect pests. The presentations focused on the control of watermelon and melon diseases and insect pests were academic and practical. The participants summarized and exchanged their experience in watermelon and melon production apart from the control of the diseases and insect pests. The participants visited the standardized production and demonstration base of melon in Guazhou County during the field day.

Melon is the major industry in rural economy in Guazhou, and is also one of the most important famous agro-products in Gansu Province. The convening of this Workshop in Guazhou will promote the development of watermelon and melon industry not only in Gansu City, but also in the nation. This Workshop was organized by the Lanzhou Comprehensive Experimental Station of the National Watermelon and Melon Industry Technology System, the Institute for Vegetable Research, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Bureau of Agriculture and Husbandry of Guazhou County. More than 100 participants from multiple provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions) attended this Workshop.