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Annual Irish Plant Science Association Meeting 2024
The conference featured a range of topics, from optimising seed banking to mitigating plant diseases in cereal grains, highlighting the importance of plants in tackling environmental issues. One researcher presented an exciting solution to the growing issue of water quality in Ireland - the use of a particular oat species (Azola) plant for cleaning wastewater, potentially improving water quality and ensuring a healthier environment.
I recently had the pleasure of attending the Irish Plant Science Association Meeting (IPSAM) at the University College Cork on June 17th and 18th, 2024. This dynamic conference was a true celebration of plant science excellence, bringing together the scientists in the field to share their research and innovative ideas. The conference was organised by the Irish Plant Science Association Meeting Committee comprising Professor Astrid Wingler,Dr Rossana Henriques,Dr Deirde Hennessy, Dr Eoin Lettice, Dr James Richardson, Dr Israel Iloyi, Mr Callum Myers, Mr Joe Croke and chaired by Dr. Barbara Doyle Prestwich. Both Dr Eoin Lettice and Dr Barbra Doyle and, are the Primary Investigator and co-Primary Investigator of the 'Irish Tree Explorer Network' project.IPSAM's goal is to unite plant scientists in the field, sparking a lively exchange of ideas and discoveries that can shape the future of plant science. The energy and enthusiasm at the conference were palpable as scientists from across Ireland and beyond shared their work, tackling industry-specific challenges and exploring innovative solutions.
The conference featured a range of topics, from optimising seed banking to mitigating plant diseases in cereal grains, highlighting the importance of plants in tackling environmental issues. One researcher presented an exciting solution to the growing issue of water quality in Ireland - the use of a particular oat species (Azola) plant for cleaning wastewater, potentially improving water quality and ensuring a healthier environment.
The conference also emphasised the need to move away from unsustainable pesticide-based plant disease treatments, instead focusing on the use of natural solutions such as seaweed extracts to improve plant health. Notably, the significance of establishing a national seed bank in Ireland was underscored, as it is crucial for preserving the country's biodiversity and ensuring the long-term sustainability of its food systems.
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The ITEN team
Based at UCC, the team includes Dr Eoin Lettice, Dr Barbara Doyle Prestwich, Emma Hutchinson and Gabriella Chisholm from the School of BEES and Prof. Claire Connolly and Dr. Claire Nolan from the School of English and Digital Humanities.
To keep up with project news and updates, follow iten_ucc on Twitter and Instagram and the Irish Tree Explorers Network on Facebook.