More than 4000 soil researchers, industry leaders and students from around the globe came together in Nanjing, China, earlier this month for the 23rd World Congress of Soil Science. Organised by the International Union of Soil Sciences, the congress takes place every four years to foster international collaboration across academic, government and industrial sectors.
Soil CRC CEO, Dr Michael Crawford, attended the congress and said it was fantastic to see the strong contribution made by the almost 100 Australian delegates at the conference.
“Alongside international delegates presenting the latest understandings of soil processes and problems were a large contingent of Australian scientists, including members of Soil Science Australia and researchers from the Soil CRC,” Dr Crawford said.
Representing the Soil CRC were:
- Dr Kattie Weigh, NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – speaking about our soil microbial indicators framework
- A/Prof Nathan Robinson, Federation University Australia – talking about our soil indicators research
- Christopher Wilmot, Charles Sturt University – sharing his Soil CRC PhD research findings on food labels and agricultural sustainability claims
- The Hon Penny Wensley AC – Patron of the Soil CRC, Patron of Soil Science Australia and Member of the Aroura Soil Security Think Tank.
Dr Crawford said there was much to be impressed by, but what stood out for him was the rise of China’s soil science expertise, with a huge wave of young researchers coming through.
“I was also pleased to see the re-emergence of soil biology, based on advances in analytical methodologies and statistical techniques, and the large focus on all aspects of soil organic carbon – measurement and management – at all scales from micro to global,” he said.
Prior to the conference, Dr Crawford delivered an invited presentation at the Institute of Soil Science, CAS Nanjing, Chinese Academy of Sciences, on soil health in Australia and the research of the Soil CRC.
“My presentation was part of a workshop on soil ecology and was well attended by researchers and students who showed great interest in the topic and asked many relevant questions,” he said.
“I am grateful to Professor Yonghong Wu and his team for organising such a successful and informative workshop.”
