Main Page – Microbiology

Workshop “Trends in microbial solutions for sustainable agriculture”

13 – 15 September 2023, Belgrade, Serbia

“In loving memory of Dr. Djordje Fira, a great scientist and friend – your presence we miss, your memories we treasure”

General Information About Workshop

The ecological and ethical unsustainability of continuous use of chemical pesticides with evident needs to increase yields, due to population growth and parallel reduction of areas for food production indeed leads to a general awareness of the need for a drastic reduction of the use of chemical pesticides, as well as to the radical changes of the current agricultural practice. The interest in biological control of phytopathogens has particularly increased over the last decade, especially because of the importance of using environmentally friendly alternatives to the extensive use of chemical pesticides for combating pest diseases. Today, we are witnessing increased demand for organically grown food and increased demands for safer pesticides in agriculture, forestry, and urban planning. Extensive microbiome research in the field of structure and function of the plant microbiome, the pivotal role of plant-associated microbes on plant health and productivity, as well as the “state of the art” new methodologies nowadays, should increase our knowledge and provide a movement from the laboratory data to practical applications in sustainable agriculture. Plant-associated microbial communities play key functions in biotic and abiotic stress tolerance as well as nutrient acquisition and carbon and nitrogen cycling. The idea of now-how development of eco-friendly biofertilizers, and other agricultural biotechnologies, together with molecular studies on the resistance of plants to biotic and abiotic stress, investigation of interkingdom signalling between plants and plant-associated bacteria, with special attention to emerging phytopathogens will be the most characteristic activities and outcomes of the Workshop. These outputs might be interesting in the future addressing the following question: How can a phytobiome be manipulated to increase agricultural production in an environmentally sound manner?

Djordje Fira

University of Belgrade
Faculty of Biology, Serbia

Organisers

Contact

email: ivicad@bio.bg.ac.rs

email: workshopserbia@gmail.com

Web: https://www.icgeb.org/trends-in-microbial-solutions-workshop-serbia-2023/

Online application: https://isg.icgeb.org/auth/login

Deadline: 30.06.2023
Early Payment Deadline: 07.07.2023 (100 EUR)
Late Payment Deadline: 28.08.2023 (170 EUR)

Extensive microbiome research in the field of structure and function of the plant microbiome, the pivotal role of plant-associated microbes on plant health and productivity, and the “state of the art” new methodologies nowadays, should provide a positive longer-term influence on agricultural production in developing countries and facilitate movement from the laboratory data to practical applications in sustainable agriculture. Topics will include:
• Microbial products for sustainable agriculture
• Plant microbiome and soil health
• Biopesticides, biofertilizers, biostimulants

Participants

• Criteria for selection of non-supported participants –Scientists who are currently involved in Life Science research. Any level scientists in microbiology are welcome. There will be a selection process according to submitted abstracts, while geographical and gender balance will also be considered

• The registration fee for the non-supported participants will be €100 and will include: Coffee & Snacks breaks; Lunches and a Get-together in the Botanical Garden; Workshop dinner; Visit the FERTICO Company (free buses); Certificate of attendance and E-book of Abstracts. A cancellation is possible no later than one month before the Workshop and will be subject to a handling fee of Euro 50

Funding

• All participants are expected to cover their travel costs. A limited number of grants will be available for selected Ph.D. students and Early Career Scientists who are nationals of ICGEB Member States; this grant will cover workshop registration fee, travel cost (for participants from LDCs through a partial contribution), and accommodation for the period of the workshop
• Criteria for selection of ICGEB supported participants – Scientists currently involved in R&D activities or studies related to sustainable agriculture, plant microbiome, soil health, biopesticides, biofertilizers, biostimulants and/or related applications. Selection will be based on applicants’CV, the Motivation Letter (ensure you upload it if you apply for financial support) and potential benefit for their research; priority will be given to Ph.D. students and Early Career Scientists (maximum 7 years after obtaining Ph.D.)