Soil Science Soil Biology 4 Day Certification Course

Event Name Soil Science Soil Biology 4 Day Certification Course
Start Date 15th Aug 2023
End Date 18th Aug 2023
Duration 4 days
Description

Soil Science Soil Biology 4 Day Certification Course: 15-18 August 2023

Soil Biology and Health Certificate Program in Partnership with Soil Science Australia

In this program, participants will learn about the properties of soils and learn how to adopt practices and strategies to enhance soil health and biological activities and use the power of plant-soil-microbial relationships to unlock soil nutrients, produce healthier and more nutritious plants and understand how microbes in soils influence soil fertility and drive plant production.

This program will have two parts:

1. The first two days is an introductory course related to increased productivity through environmental and sustainable management practices. No prior knowledge is needed.

2. In combination with Part 1, the last two days are designed for consultant, farmers and others who have interest in integrating soil biology/ health in agronomic practices.

  • Attendance of all 4 days is necessary for receiving a certificate from Soil Science Australia.
  • Attendance at this course by accredited CPSS can be claimed in their OPD.
  • The certificate will be awarded on behalf of Soil Science Australia.

ONLY 50 PLACES AVAILABLE

Register by July 31

Harnessing the Life in Soils:

The Certificate Program includes:

  • Full overview of soil health, soil biology and nutrition practices that reflect the latest, emerging research findings
  • Conference dinner with delegates
  • Conference materials and access to soil health facilities at Western Sydney University's Hawkesbury campus
  • Morning teas, lunches, and afternoon tea on day one

Course outline:

The course program will expand your understanding of how new research is driving renewed interest in soil health and soil biology as a function of overall farm productivity:

  • History of soil biology and agriculture
  • Diversity and functions of soil microbes that drive productivity
  • Nutrient cycling of nitrogen, carbon and other nutrients
  • Plant and microbial interactions
  • Soil fauna that influence soil biology and activity
  • Integrating soil health methods into practice

Who should attend this course?

An ideal program for keen and innovative delegates seeking to understand the benefits of soil biology as a driver of healthy crops and healthy foods in sustainable production environments:

  • Proactive and innovative growers across horticultural and agricultural sectors
  • Consultants, advisors and agronomists seeking to unlock new value from cropping operations

Your Presenters

    
Professor Brajesh Singh (WSU) (opens in a new window)Professor Brajesh Singh is an internationally recognised expert in the field of microbial ecology. His research interests encompass functional microbial ecology, climate change and environmental biotechnology with particular focus on the role of microbes in ecosystem function and environmental sustainability.Prof Brajesh Singh 
Dr  Eleonora Egidi

Dr Egidi joined HIE in 2018 as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow following an international search for a microbial ecologist to lead a Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC-CARE) funded project "A novel framework to identify, predict and improve efficiency of bioremediation technology".

In 2020, Dr Egidi was awarded an ARC DECRA fellowship for the project "Small but bold: harnessing microbes to boost drought tolerance in grasses". The project focusses on identifying the key microbial functions that contribute to grass tolerance to drought. The research involves controlled microcosms and field surveys to identify those microbial taxa that drive drought-survival traits in grasses. This program integrates molecular techniques, soil biochemistry, ecophysiology, and spatial ecology to (i) characterise microbial acquisition patterns by plants with different drought survival traits and (ii) identify microbiome-driven plant traits that provide benefits to grasses under drought.

doctor_eleonora_egidi  
Assoc Prof Uffe Nielsen (opens in a new window)

Assoc Prof Uffe Nielsen is broadly interested in community and ecosystem ecology, and the link between the two, i.e. how do changes in one influence the other.

In a time where large-scale changes in land use and climate are impacting ecosystems across the globe it is essential for human well-being to acquire knowledge of the potential implications of these changes. For instance, species gains and losses, and changes in community composition, belowground due to climate changes can impact nutrient cycling, which may lead to changes in aboveground communities and potentially limit productivity of agricultural lands.

Dr Uffe Nielsen 
Dr Catriona Macdonald (opens in a new window)Dr Catriona Macdonald investigates the impacts of environmental change on nutrient cycling and resource allocation within terrestrial environments. Her research interests are geared towards understanding how environmental change impacts nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning and how this affects productivity and sustainability of soils.Dr Catriona Macdonald