Sustainability in crops and soils will be highlighted in the research presented at the Annual Meetings of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America slated for Nov. 1-5, 2009, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.
Boasting the latest research in the fields of plant and soil science, with an emphasis on sustainability, the combined meetings will attract more than 3,000 scientists, professionals, educators, and students presenting new technologies and discussing emerging trends in agriculture, energy, climate change, carbon trading, science education, and related issues. Other informative sessions include: nutrition, wines, food security, invasive species, organic agriculture, hazardous waste, plant breeding, and turfgrass science.
The meeting theme, “Footprints in the Landscape: Sustainability through Plant and Soil Sciences,” sums up a program built around daily plenary sessions, nine distinguished lectures, 2,500+ oral and poster presentations, an exhibit hall, career center, and other events. For meeting information, including searchable abstracts and other event details, visit: www.acsmeetings.org
The conference kicks off Sunday, Nov. 1, with a plenary session from 6-7 p.m., presented by 2009 World Food Prize recipient Gebisa Ejeta, Purdue University. Past World Food Prize recipients will also be recognized.
Program Highlights
Monday, Nov. 2
“Climate Change and Agroecosystems: Impacts, Adaptation, and Mitigation,” two sessions, 9:55 a.m.-5:15 p.m.
“Dirt! the Movie,” screening and discussion with producer Gene Rosow, 3:45-5:30 p.m. (repeated on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 10:00-11:45 a.m.)
“Using Precision Farming Technologies to Minimize Agriculture’s Footprint in the Landscape,” symposium, 9:55 a.m.-2:35 p.m. and Poster Session, 3:00-5:00p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 3
Plenary Address on the intersection of technology and sustainability, by Calestous Juma, Harvard, 8:00-9:30 a.m.
Lecture on the Gulf of Mexico’s Hypoxia Zone/Dead Zone, by Curtis Richardson, Duke, 9:55-11:00 a.m.
“Global Footprints: Adding Value to Agriculture in the Developing World,” symposium, 10:10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
“The Environmental and Ecological Challenges of Biomass Production,” session, 9:55 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and “Impact of Ethanol Production on the Environment,” symposium, 9:55 a.m.-2:45 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 4
Why soil is the most valuable ecosystem in the world, as part of “Soils: A Public Health Threat or Savior,” plenary address by Ian Pepper, University of Arizona, 8:00-9:30 a.m.
“Terroir: Winegrapes and the Environment,” symposium, 12:45-3:40 p.m. and Poster Session, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
“Biochar Use for Improving Environmental Quality,” session, 12:55-3:45 and Poster Session, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
“Urban Agriculture: Understanding and Communicating the Role of Turfgrass,” symposium, 3:15-6:15 p.m.
“Climate Change and Crop Diversity,” lecture by Robert J. Hijmans, University of California-Davis, 4:30-5:15 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 5
“Building a Strong Financial Base for Sustaining a Healthy Plant Breeding Community,” symposium, presentations by the Gates Foundation, Monsanto Company, Noble Foundation, and others, 7:55-10:50 a.m.
Can’t Make it to the Conference?
ASA-CSSA-SSSA will post news releases to the Annual Meetings online newsroom at: www.acsmeetings.org/newsroom. PowerPoint presentations will also be available for many papers. To request PowerPoint presentations, contact Sara Uttech at the phone or email shown above. Daily Twitter feeds of highlighted research and events will be sent via Twitter at: @ASA_CSSA_SSSA, with Annual Meeting Tweets using the hashtag, #ACSMtg.