IV Silicon in Agriculture Book of Abstracts, South Africa

110 Pages·2008·1.4 MB·English

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Private B ag X01
3209 SCOTTSVILLE

South Africa
Phone: +(27)33 260 5524

Fax: +(27)33 260 5524

South African Sugarcane Research Institute

Private Bag X02
4300 Mount Edgecombe

South Africa
Phone: +(27)31 508 7400

Fax: +(27)31 508 7597
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ORGANISING COMMITTEE

Mark Laing: Chairperson
[email protected]

Michiel Smit: Deputy Chair, Registration and Website
[email protected]

Carol Phipson: Conference Secretary and Treasurer
[email protected]

Pat Caldwell: Conference Facilities
[email protected]

Olivia Kvedaras: Guest Speakers and Social
[email protected]

Malcolm Keeping: Conference Editor
[email protected]

Jan Meyer: Conference Sponsors and Exhibitions
[email protected]

Peter Turner: Conference Site Trials
[email protected]

Shaun Berry: Conference Tours and Transport
[email protected]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CumLaude Conference Services: Michelle Smit & Lorraine de Klerk
Proof reading and editing: Dorothy Carslow
Field tour: Grant Buchanan
Field trials: Rob Pepworth (Macadanias and Citrus)
Phillip Bunge (Sugarcane)
Mike van Rensburg ( Bananas)
Robbie Cummings (Coffee)
Sun International and staff
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FOREWORD

Dear Colleague in Silicon,

Welcome to South Africa. Welcome to the 4th Silicon in Agriculture Conference and
to the voluptuous environment of the Wild Coast.

The field of research that we meet to discuss has matured as a subject, with
widespread recognition. After all, it is now nine years after the first Silicon in
Agriculture Conference in Florida in 1999.

In my humble view, silicon as a plant nutrient, has made it into the consciousness of
a broad agricultural public, especially in the Southern Hemisphere, where the
problem is so widespread. We estimate that well over 40% of Africa’s soils are
deficient to severely deficient in plant available silicon. And the range and scale of
papers now being published in global journals shows that its role in agriculture is
being established, block by block, in many countries.

As a mature field, our concerns shift from a pioneer’s issue of establishing the field,
to one of consolidation and implementation. The paradigm has shifted, now we need
to confirm the new paradigm.

The age profile of silicon researchers might be a concern, with many of the pioneers
retiring in the near future. However, it is pleasing to see many young and middle-
aged scientists and students registered at this conference.

So let the games begin. Let us hear about the next four year chapter in the dynamic
field of silicon in agriculture!

Sawubonani.

Mark Laing,
Chairperson,
Silicon Conference Organising Committee
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