World Vegetable Center and the Asian PGPR Society Host Landmark Conference

The 8th Asian Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) International Conference for Sustainable Agriculture concluded successfully at the World Vegetable Center headquarters in Tainan, Taiwan, from September 25 to 27, 2024. Organized jointly by the World Vegetable Center, Asian PGPR Society, Food and Fertilizer Technology Center (FFTC), and the Agricultural Chemical Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture (ACRI), the event brought together leading experts and stakeholders worldwide.

The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Marco Wopereis, Director General of the World Vegetable Center; Dr. Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes, Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT); Dr. Su-San Chang, Director of FFTC; and Prof. Munagala Sankara Reddy, Founder and Chairman of the Asian PGPR Society.

With over 100 participants, including scholars, researchers, and industry experts from 13 countries, the conference provided a global platform for sharing knowledge, presenting groundbreaking research, and, most importantly, fostering partnerships. Discussions revolved around key topics such as PGPR and microbiomes for improved soil health, the role of plant growth-promoting microbes in sustainable plant protection, and the use of biostimulants and other microbes to enhance plant vitality.

Highlights included presentations on utilizing native microbiomes to promote sustainable soil and plant health, the role of microbiomes in overcoming biotic and abiotic stresses, and innovative research on metagenomics, molecular studies, microbial endophytes, biofertilizers, biochar, and microbial bioformulations. These topics underscored the importance of healthy soils and plants for the well-being of people and the planet.

Novel research on the exometabolome of microbial communities for disease management, interactions between insect gut microbiota and humic acid transformation, and proteomic changes in endophytic microbes captured the audience’s interest. Discussions also explored how innovations like machine learning can provide new solutions for sustainable soil and plant health, offering hope for the future of agriculture.

Going beyond academic insights, the conference facilitated interdisciplinary collaboration and equipped participants with valuable soil and plant health knowledge. Through interactive sessions, panel discussions, and forums involving the private sector, the conference underscored the practical implications of the discussions, inspiring attendees to address the challenges of soil and plant health in a changing climate.

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