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Asian Confab to focus on PGPR R&D and policy

The Asian Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria Society for Sustainable Agriculture (APSSA) and PCAARRD will organize the 3rd Asian Conference on Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and Other Microbials on April 21─24 at the Hyatt Hotel in Manila.

APPSA is a scientific society based in India. It is a non- profit organization, which aims to convene scientists, researchers, academicians, government groups, students, farmers, and industry personnel from various agricultural disciplines to tackle common interest in teaching, research, and commercialization of PGPR in Asian countries.

Experts consider PGPR as a strategy to raise crop productivity levels in the Asian Region. It addresses the problem on indiscriminate application of agrochemicals that harm the environment. 

This year’s Conference will tackle the strengths and weaknesses of the region on matters related to research, development, and policy-related issues affecting microbial biotechnology for increased crop productivity.

The Conference is expected to identify applied and strategic research activities, outputs, and PGPR technologies that are ready for dissemination. It is also expected to determine effective communication strategies and policy interventions to promote research and development outputs to end users. 

Approximately 150 participants from 15 countries will be attending the activity. Delegates will come from Austria, Brazil, China, France, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Vietnam.

The program includes lectures and seminars from international experts, poster paper presentations, and field tour.

Session topics include: 1) PGPR and other microbials; 2) macro and micronutrients; 3) bioactive metabolites of PGPR and other microbial interactions in the rhizosphere: 4) mechanisms of PGPR and other microbials; 5) new technologies and extended applications of PGPR; and 6) commercial potential, trade, and regulatory issues among Asian countries.