Venue: Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus
Registration cost: $595.00
For more information: Click here
Register by 30 June 2025 (Limited positions available)
Incorporating soil health and biology with management practices to sustainably increase productivity and profitability.
The 2-day soil biology masterclass will provide you with the core knowledge and principles to assist in incorporating soil biology and health in management practices to sustainably increase productivity and profitability.
- Gain an in-depth understanding of the latest research in soil biology and health; including the role of microbes in nutrient availability for plant growth and resistance against disease and pests.
- Learn about the future direction of research, technologies, and practices.
- Tour of research facilities and networking dinner included in registration cost.
- Network with our guest presenter and expert researchers.
Introduction to Soil Health and Biology
The fundamentals of soil science: core concepts in soil biology and health.
Participants will be equipped with the foundational knowledge needed to sustainably increase productivity by integrating soil biology and health into management practices.
Open to all. No prior knowledge required.
Who should attend this course? This is an ideal program for growers, consultants and agronomists seeking to understand the benefits of soil biology as a driver of healthy crops and healthy foods in sustainable production environments.
Availability
Annual Hawkesbury Campus, Western Sydney University
Additional Features:
- Networking opportunities with experts and delegates.
- Tour of Western’s Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment field sites and world-class research facilities on Hawkesbury Campus.
- Conference dinner* with experts and delegates.
- Optional transfers to and from accommodation* and Hawkesbury Campus*
- Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea**
*Crowne Plaza, Hawkesbury **No afternoon tea -Day 2 due to field tour
Program
Incorporating soil health and biology and management practices to sustainably increase productivity and profitability
Day 1
Introduction to soil biology
An overview of soil biology and its importance to soil health.
Soil biology in context
What are the agricultural drivers and practices for improving soil health/biology and why is there an increasing interest from growers?
Soil biology – diversity and functions
Concepts of soil health and biology, the diversity and how this links to farm productivity. Latest thinking.
Soil biology – nutrient cycling and productivity
Linking soil health and productivity to nutrient cycles including nitrogen and carbon cycling. Latest thinking.
Soil biology – plant / microbial interactions
Rhizobia and mychorrizal fungi, their interactions with plants, roles and benefits. Latest thinking.
Soil biology – soil fauna
Soil fauna and ecosystem services. Latest thinking.
Field site tour.
Harnessing the Life in Soils
Day 2
Soil suppression
Soil suppression – harnessing soil biology for better disease management and higher resource efficiency. Latest thinking
Management practices for improving soil health
A practical way of managing soil biology
Integrating soil biology/ health into practise
Integrating soil biology in a practical sense – introductory experiences and some adoption barriers.
Round-table discussion
Take home message
For more information: Click here