About        Program      Registration     Abstracts       Sponsorship       Awards & Fellows       Travel Info      Contact

PGPR conference 2024

25-27 September

World Vegetable Center, Shanhua, Tainan, Taiwan

8th Asian PGPR (Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria) International Conference for Sustainable Agriculture

A Bio-Revolution Using Beneficial Microbes for Healthier Soils, Crops and Planet

PGPR
management

PGPR for sustainable plant protection (pests and diseases)

Climate Change
adaptation

Climate change adaptation and mitigation

Plant
Protection

Biofertilizers for crop production and quality

Sustainable
Agriculture

Bio-waste recycling and circular agriculture and economy

About

We are excited to announce that the 8th Asian PGPR International Conference will be held at the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) in Shanhua, Tainan, Taiwan on 25-27 September 2024 with its theme “Bio-Revolution with the Beneficial Microbes for Healthy Soils, Crops and Planet”.

The advent of the Green Revolution in the twentieth century contributed significantly to higher plant productivity and crop yields. However, the impact of conventional production on the deterioration of soil health, crop diversity and beneficial organisms is obvious.

It is now time to begin a new biological revolution by working with beneficial microbes (PGPR/microbiome),biostimulants etc. and applying regenerative agricultural principles to restore the health of both soils and crops with an ultimate objective of achieving planetary health.

The agenda of the 8th Asian PGPR conference will be looking at the most recent scientific findings related to beneficial microbes across diverse themes ranging from studies on native microbiome, over various benefits for agriculture, to product development and partnerships.

Organizers

World Vegetable Center and the Asian PGPR Society for Sustainable Agriculture

Co-organizers

National Taiwan University (NTU), Agricultural Chemical Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture (ACRI), Food and Fertilizer Technology Center for the Asian and Pacific Region (FFTC)

Supporting partners

ICRISAT, World Bioprotection Forum, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Indian Phytopathological Society, Global BioAg Linkages, BioAgri Input

Program

The conference will last four days, from 25-27 September 2024, at WorldVeg’s headquarters in Shanhua, Tainan, Taiwan.

Native PGPR, microbiome, and soil management

Biofertilizers for crop production and quality

PGPR for sustainable plant protection (pests and diseases)

Biostimulants, nano-based plant stimulants and other innovations

Themes

PGPR for climate change adaptation and mitigation

PGPR for bio-waste recycling and circular agriculture and economy

Product development, commercialization of PGPR and regulatory constraints

Education, policy and partnerships

 

A more detailed program will be specified soon.

Registration

Attend PGPR Conference by registering on the google form below:

PGPR_Conference_Register_form

Registration fees are as follows:

 

Invitation Letter

We are pleased to provide an official invitation letter upon request via Contact. This invitation is meant to assist prospective attendees in securing funds or visas. Please note that it does not imply any financial assistance from the organizers.

Cancellation Policy

Please submit cancellation requests in writing to Contact. Please refer to the specified cut-off date for cancellations. Refunds may be processed after the meeting for administrative purposes, with bank charges deducted from the refunded amount.

Before August 31, 2024

After August 31, 2024

full registration fee refund

no refund

Abstracts

The deadline for abstract submission is
June 30th, 2024, 23:59.
(Taiwan Standard Time, UTC+8)
Submissions received after this time will not be considered.

Call for Abstracts

Exchange ideas and perspectives with fellow researchers

Share Your Expertise with Us!

The deadline for abstract submission is June 30th, 2024, 23:59. Submissions received after this time will not be considered.

All abstracts must be written in English and must not exceed 300 words. The title must have a maximum of 50 words.

It is your responsibility to ensure that all co-authors have given their consent to be listed on the abstract.

Presentations can be in either oral or poster format. Please indicate your preference, however, the final decision might be made by the scientific committee.

For oral presentations, the committee will choose abstracts for 15-minute talks in their respective sessions or as flash talks. You will be notified of the results via email.

If your abstract is not selected for an oral presentation, it will automatically be assigned to a poster presentation.

If your abstract is chosen for an oral presentation, you must complete your registration and make the payment by 2024 July 31st, 23:59.

Guidelines

Please download the Abstract Template and then email the filled template (word file) directly to asianpgprinternational@gmail.com

Please name your abstract file as [Presenter First Name_Presenter Last Name], for example: Lukas_Pawera.doc.

Please name your email subject as PGPR abstract submission [Presenter First Name_Presenter Last Name]

An author is allowed to present only one oral and one poster/infographic presentation.

Upon acceptance of your abstract for presentation, the presenting author is required to register for the conference.

Presenters who fail to present in person without notifying the program planner of cancellation may be ineligible to present papers or posters at PGPR meetings for a duration of two years following the “no-show.”

Each submitted abstract must be distinct. Violations of this policy will result in removal from the program.

8th Asian PGPR International Conference

Sponsor

On behalf of the Organizing Committee of the 8 th Asian PGPR International Conference for Sustainable Agriculture that will be held at World Vegetable Center in Taiwan, we kindly invite you to participate in the conference as a financial sponsor. The conference is an international event, spanning both academia, research and industry. It aims to foster collaboration and partnership between public and private sectors working on biofertilizers, biopesticides and other PGPRs.

We offer four levels of sponsorship as described in the packages below.

In-kind sponsorships that directly helps to cover the costs of the conference are also welcome. In these cases, the sponsor name would be kindly acknowledged in connection to the sponsored activity. The conference organizers are also open to discuss alternative opportunities to suit your preferences.

We really appreciate your help and we would be grateful for considering our request. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any other information in this regard. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

To register for the sponsorship, please kindly contact us with a selection of the sponsorship package and sponsor details.

Contact:

Prof. M. S. Reddy (prof.m.s.reddy@gmail.com)

Dr. Srinivasan Ramasamy (srini.ramasamy@worldveg.org)

Tier benefits

PLATINUM SPONSORSHIP | $5,000+

Platinum Sponsors are our highest-level sponsors and enjoy a prominent profile at the conference. Specific benefits of Platinum Sponsorship include:

1. Four complimentary conference registrations

2. Patron and Advisory Board Member

3. Acknowledgment with logo in Registration Brochure and Conference Program

4. On-site signage

5. Complimentary conference attendee mailing list

6. Recognition on the Asian PGPR conference website with a link to your website

7. Soft copy of the proceedings

8. Exhibition space

9. 5-minute presentation during the kick-off session

10. One oral presentation during regular sessions

11. VIP table at conference social event

12. Your promo materials in conference bags

Tier benefits

GOLD SPONSORSHIP | $3,000-4,000

1. Three complimentary conference registrations

2. Patron and Advisory Board Member

3. Acknowledgment with logo in Registration Brochure and Conference Program

4. On-site signage

5. Complimentary conference attendee mailing list

6. Recognition on the Asian PGPR conference website with a link to your website

7. Soft copy of the proceedings

8. Exhibition space

9. 5-minute presentation during the kick-off session

10. One oral presentation during regular sessions

11. VIP table at conference social event

12. Your promo materials in conference bags

Tier benefits

SILVER SPONSORSHIP | $2,000-3,000

1. Two complimentary conference registrations

2. Advisory Board Member

3. Acknowledgment with logo in Registration Brochure and Conference Program

4. On-site signage

5. Complimentary conference attendee mailing list

6. Recognition on the Asian PGPR conference website with a link to your website

7. 25% discount on attendee mailing list*

8. Soft copy of the proceedings

9. Exhibition space

10. 5-minute presentation during the kick-off session

11. One oral presentation during regular sessions

12. VIP table at conference social event

13. Your promo materials in conference bags

Tier benefits

BRONZE SPONSORSHIP | $1,000-2,000

1. One complimentary conference registration

2. Acknowledgment with logo in Registration Brochure and Conference Program

3. On-site signage

4. Recognition on the Asian PGPR conference website with a link to your website

5. Soft copy of the proceedings

6. Exhibition space

7. 5-minute presentation during the kick-off session

8. One oral presentation during regular sessions

9. VIP table at conference social event

10. Your promo materials in conference bags

Awards & Fellows

Call for Asian PGPR Society Awards & Fellows

The Asian PGPR Society for Sustainable Agriculture grants this honor to a current Asian PGPR Society Life Member in recognition of distinguished contributions to PGPRs or the Society. Fellow recognition is based on significant contributions in one or more of the following areas: original research, teaching, administration, professional and public service, and extension and outreach.

During our 8th Asian PGPR Society International Conference to be held in Tainan, Taiwan, from 25-27 September, 2024, the Asian PGPR Society recognizes our members’ outstanding service, scientific innovations, and significant accomplishments ​ through its honorary awards program. Additionally,​ the Asian PGPR supports future leaders, innovative research in PGPR product development, and international activities​ through industry-supported funds. The following are the categories of awards:

• Asian PGPR Fellow

• Life Time Achievement Award

• Distinguished Service Award

• Excellence in Research & Extension Award

• Excellence in Industry Award

• Excellence in Regulatory Affairs and Crop Security Award

• Women Researcher Award

• Progressive Farmer Award

• Excellence in Start-up Venture Award

• Excellence in International Service Award

• Pasura Brother’s Memorial Award

• Prathista Innovation Award

Guidelines

• Current Asian PGPR Life membership and participation as a delegate with paid registration are required for these awards.

General Instructions

Each member of the society may nominate one candidate for each of the above awards. Nominations should address the activities most relevant to the award, with a clear statement of the nominee’s impact in his/her specific area of expertise.

The nomination packet must include the following supporting material:

  1. A nomination statement not to exceed 1,000 words that highlight the candidate’s contributions and include the candidate’s name, place of birth, and institutions, with degrees and years granted, as well as the current position. The statement should be focused and succinct and document the relevancy and impact of the candidate’s contributions to the advancement of science in PGPRs.
  2. A curriculum vitae, not to exceed two pages.
  3. A complete list of publications. The list should be separated into the following categories, with the most recent publications first. Abstracts and manuscripts not yet accepted should NOT be included.

o Refereed journal articles
o Extension publications
o Books, reviews, and book chapters
o Technical publications (e.g., monographs, reports, symposium papers, proceedings, etc.)
o Popular publications
o Invited presentations

Nomination Deadline

Award nominations are open through April 2024.

The Awards and Honors Committee will submit their findings to the PGPR Society Council in June 2024. The Society Chairman will notify those receiving awards by mid-July 2024 and will be awarded during our conference in Taiwan.

Nominations must be received via email to Prof. Devappa (devappav@gmail.com) for compilation and transmission
to the awards committee.

Beautiful island

Taiwan

Travel information

About Tainan, Taiwan

Taiwan

Taiwan is situated in the Western Pacific Ocean, positioned between Japan and the Philippines. The combined area of Taiwan proper and its surrounding islands covers approximately 36,197 square kilometers, comparable in size to the Netherlands. However, despite its relatively modest land area, Taiwan has a significant population of around 23 million, making it more populous than the majority of countries in the world.Taiwan is a country that has abundant natural beauty, characterized by mountain ranges with numerous peaks soaring over 3,000 meters, with Jade Mountain (Yushan) standing as the highest peak in East Asia. Forested foothills also occupy a considerable portion of the island. Besides its majestic mountains, Taiwan features volcanic peaks, tablelands, coastal plains, and basins, providing a diverse and captivating landscape.

The diverse landscapes in Taiwan also holds a diverse range of ecosystems, making it a biodiversity hotspot. Its unique geographical location and varied climate contribute to a rich array of flora and fauna. From lush tropical rainforests to high mountain ranges, Taiwan boasts an impressive number of plant and animal species, including many rare and endemic species.

>More about Taiwan

Tainan

Tainan, a city steeped in history and culture, is a captivating gem located in the southwestern part of Taiwan. As the oldest city on the island, Tainan holds a special place in Taiwan’s historical narrative, having a rich heritage that dates back to the 17th century. It served as the capital of Taiwan during the era of Dutch, Koxinga, and Qing rule, leaving behind a legacy of ancient temples, well-preserved architecture, and traditional customs that continue to thrive today.

The city’s historical significance is mirrored in its charming streets adorned with traditional red-bricked buildings and intricate temples, showcasing the splendid blend of Chinese and Taiwanese architectural styles. Each corner of Tainan narrates a story of its own, offering visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a bygone era.Beyond its historical allure, Tainan also embraces modernity, blending old-world charm with contemporary developments. The city entices travelers with its vibrant night markets, gastronomic delights, and bustling art scene. From the savory aroma of local delicacies to the melodic sounds of traditional folk music, Tainan offers a sensory journey like no other.

Whether you are a history enthusiast, a culinary adventurer, or simply seeking a tranquil escape, Tainan beckons with its captivating blend of tradition, innovation, and warm hospitality. Come and uncover the treasures of this captivating city, where the past seamlessly intertwines with the present, leaving an indelible mark on all who visit.

>More about Tainan

Climate

Taiwan is located on the Tropic of Cancer, and its overall climate is characterized as marine tropical. The northern and central regions have a subtropical climate, while the southern part enjoys a tropical climate, and the mountainous areas have a temperate climate. The average annual rainfall for the island proper is around 2,600 millimeters (100 inches), with the rainy season coinciding with the onset of the summer East Asian Monsoon in May and June. Throughout June to September, the entire island experiences hot and humid weather. Typhoons are most frequent during July, August, and September. In the winter months (November to March), the northeast encounters continuous rain, while the central and southern regions typically enjoy sunny weather.

› More about weather in Taiwan

Time Zone

Taiwan is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+8) and does not practice daylight saving time during summer.

Essentials of Travel Finance

Major credit cards like American Express, MasterCard, Visa, and JCB card are widely accepted in Taiwan. However, it’s important to note that cash (TWD) is generally preferred in most places throughout Taiwan. Please be aware that many local stores in Taiwan do not accept traveler’s checks.

To ensure the best exchange rate, it is highly recommended to exchange your foreign currency at the airport upon arrival in Taiwan. For up-to-date information on the Bank of Taiwan Foreign Exchange Rates, please refer to the Bank of Taiwan Foreign Exchange Rate website.

Electricity

In Taiwan, the electric current is rated at 110 volts with a frequency of 60. If you are bringing appliances from Europe, Australia, or South-East Asia, you will require an adaptor or transformer to match the voltage and frequency. It’s worth noting that some buildings may have sockets with 220 volts, particularly for air conditioner usage. Please also make sure to bring the correct adaptor to fit the type of electrical socket (USA type A and B) in Taiwan.

Emergency Numbers (Free Service)

Fire, Ambulance: 119

Police: 110

Visa

Please note that all these applications can only be initiated upon completion of PGPR registration.

Nationals of some countries are eligible for the visa exemption program, kindly refer to the webpage of Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan.

Special regulations are in place for six countries: India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. To learn more, please visit the related regulations page.

For further details on visa applications, please visit this website.

Transportation

Taiwan has an extensive bus network, most of which are run by private bus companies. Inter-city rail services are provided by Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) and Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR).

From airport to World Vegetable Center:

1. Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), which hosts most of international flights.

2. Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) which mainly hosts domestic flights, and flights from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam.

3. Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA), which mainly hosts domestic flights, and flights from China, Japan and Korea. Please visit the websites of Taoyuan International Airport, Kaohsiung International Airport, and Taipei Songshan Airport.


Arrival at Taoyuan Airport:

We recommend arriving at Taoyuan Airport before 8 pm. After this time, there is a high likelihood that you may miss the last High-Speed Rail train to Tainan. In the event of an overnight stay in Taoyuan, please refer to Novotel for accommodation options.

Transportation to High-Speed Rail (HSR) Station: You have several options to get to the High-Speed Rail station from Taoyuan Airport:

Taoyuan Airport MRT:

Please take the MRT to A18 Taoyuan HSR Station
(Fare: TWD 25) then board the High-Speed Rail bound for Tainan.

Taxi or Airport Shuttle:

Taxis and airport shuttles are available outside the airport terminal. You can take a taxi or an airport shuttle service directly to Taoyuan High-Speed Rail station to catch the train to Tainan.



Board a HSR train from Taoyuan heading to Tainan (Fare: TWD 1,190)

Taiwan High Speed Rail Website


Arrival at Kaohsiung Airport:

By Taxi:

  • Airport taxis are available at the taxi stand outside the terminal.
  • The taxi fare should be less than TWD 3,000 for the approximately 90-minute drive to Shanhua, Tainan.


By Metro:

  • Take the Kaohsiung MRT to Zuoying Station (Fare: TWD 50).
  • Transfer to the Taiwan High-Speed Rail (HSR) at Zuoying HSR Station.
  • Board a HSR train heading to Tainan HSR Station (Fare: TWD 140).


From Tainan HSR Station to Shanhua, Tainan :
If you opt for a taxi from Tainan HSR Station to Shanhua, Tainan (either WorldVeg or L’ARC Hotel), the fare should be around TWD 1,000 for the approximately 45-minute drive.

Additional Tips:

    • Have the appropriate local currency on hand for transportation payments in case your credit card is not accepted.
    • Check the schedule of the chosen mode of transportation in advance.
    • If using public transportation, be aware of any route or schedule changes.

Accommodation

1. WorldVeg Campus Accommodation:

Accommodation is available inside the WorldVeg Campus; however, please note that room availability is limited. Rooms will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.


World Vegetable Center

Room rate includes breakfast. Limited availability.
Room Types No. of Rooms Price (TWD)
Single bed room 10 TWD 1,700
Twin bed room 10 Single occupancy / double occupancy

TWD 2,300 / 3,000
King size bed room 9 Single occupancy / double occupancy

TWD 2,300 / 3,000



2. Alternative Accommodation – L’ARC Hotel Option:

For participants opting for an alternative accommodation, the L’ARC Hotel option is available. You are required to make your own reservation by sending email to larchotel@gmail.com to book your stay at the L’ARC Hotel.

  • Transportation from L’ARC Hotel to WorldVeg Conference:

Transportation from the L’ARC Hotel to the WorldVeg Conference venue will be provided. Details regarding the shuttle service schedule and pick-up points will be communicated closer to the event date. Kindly stay updated through the provided contact channels for transportation-related information.

L’ARC Hotel


Room types (L’ARC Hotel) Bed Size (cm)
Elegant Double 180*200
Elegant Twin 105*200
Elegant Double with Balcony 180*200
Elegant Triple 180*200
Classic Family 180*200 2 beds
Business Suite 180*200
Superior Double 180*200
Superior Twin 105*200 2 beds
Deluxe Double 180*200
Superior Triple 105*200 3 beds
Warm Family 180*200 2 beds
Deluxe Suite 210*200
Executive Suite 210*200

Please note that no foreign currency exchange services are provided at L’ARC hotel.

Please provide the following details to larchotel@gmail.com

Email Subject: WorldVeg PGPR 2024 (insert your last name in CAPITALS.)

1. First name
2. Last name (in CAPITALS)
3. Gender
4. Contact email
5. Phone number
6. Arrival and departure date
7. Your desired room type
8. How may guests will be in the room? (Applicable for non-single room types)
9. If you already have a roommate in mind please specify the name.

*Please note that no foreign currency exchange services are provided at L’ARC Hotel.*

Thank you for your cooperation. In case of any urgent queries or if you haven’t received confirmation, please contact us at eva.wu@worldveg.org.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.