Call for Abstracts
The Organising and Scientific Committees invite abstracts for oral and poster presentations that address or relate to the following topics:
- Case studies on the successful management of soil organic matter in conventional, integrated and organic horticultural production systems.
- Comparative assessment of different organic soil amendments.
- Composting for horticultural uses.
Quality criteria for composts, mulches and other organic soil amendments. - Producing fit-for-purpose products that deliver desired outcomes and meet end-user expectations.
- Improving growing media and blended soils with compost products.
Organo-mineral fertilisers. - Benefits of using composts, mulches and other organic soil amendments in areas such as
- productivity,
- crop quality,
- soil fertility,
- nutrient supply,
- soil chemical, physical and biological properties,
- soil and plant health,
- water use and water use efficiency,
- erosion control,
- site rehabilitation and re-vegetation. - Soil organic matter management and climate change (climate change adaptation, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon storage)
- Risks and challenges of using composts, mulches and other organic soil amendments, including biosolids.
- Off-farm benefits and risks of using organic soil amendments and managing soil organic matter.
- Long-term use of compost / organic amendments (case studies).
- Special effects of using composts, mulches and other organic soil amendments, e.g. stimulation of microbial populations and biodiversity, or absorption of excess nitrogen.
- Suppression of soil-borne and above-ground diseases and pests.
- Using specialised products, e.g. humic acids, compost tea, or biochar.
- The economics of using organic soil amendments.
- Improving product application techniques and technologies.
- Integrated management of soil organic matter in horticultural production systems.
- Incorporating the use of organic amendments into farm nutrient and carbon budgets.
- The experience, perception and needs of farmers regarding the use of organic soil amendments.
- Who informs the farmer? – Accommodating the need for training, extension and information dissemination.
Please submit your abstract on-line by using the provided template in accordance with the Instructions for Authors.