The Tenth Conference of the International Society of Root Research (ISRR) will be held in Israel from July 8–12, 2018. Prof. Johnathan Ephrath from the Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research (BIDR), French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, is organizing the conference together with colleagues from the BIDR, Tel Aviv University, The Hebrew University in Jerusalem and the Agriculture Research Organization of Israel.
The conference, this year entitled “Exposing the Hidden Half: Root Research at the Forefront of Science," is conducted every three years in a different location. Israel was chosen as the venue for the tenth conference by the ISRR in recognition of the advanced and sophisticated root research performed in the country, in general, and at the BIDR, in particular.
The conference website , contains detailed information about the conference, lecture program (including abstracts and schedule), the list of invited speakers, the local and international scientific committees and more.
The conference will host more than 300 participants from 36 countries. During the four intensive days of the conference, the lectures of 18 invited speakers from leading universities and research institutes, as well as 100 lectures and 180 posters chosen from more than 400 submitted abstracts, will be presented. In addition to the many senior scientists attending, we are pleased to welcome a substantial delegation of students and early career researchers representing a new generation of scientists who will ensure continued promotion of the study and exploration of the “hidden half."
To demonstrate the advanced root research conducted at the BIDR, 15 postdoctoral scholars and young career researchers were chosen (from 120 candidates) to participate in a pre-conference workshop we call “Student Ambassadors." The participants will be in residence for four days at the BIDR's French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev's Sede Boqer Campus. This program will include classes, laboratory measurements, scientific tours and presentations, as well as social and touristic activities and interactions with local students and researchers. At the end of this program, the participants will join the ISRR conference where they will report on their activities during the Student Ambassadors workshop.
The Israel Ministry of Science and Technology contributed NIS 80,000 for partial support in covering the expenses of hosting the invited speakers. The Israel Science Foundation (ISF) contributed NIS 70,000 to cover a three-day symposium with international speakers on biotic and abiotic aspects in root growth and development. Several Israeli and international companies that work on measuring and monitoring roots, breeding, and various aspects of the soil-water-root and plant continuum also generously donated funds to ensure the success of this conference.
